Cheap Gift Wrapping Paper

Spending money on the stuff I'm going to wrap my gifts in isn't exactly my idea of money well spent. It's not that I'm cheap-I'd just rather buy gifts.

Still, pretty paper can add to the luxe feel and the pleasure of opening a gift.

Hie Thee to the Dollar Store.Most of what the Dollar Store sells is either crap, or entirely made of poisonous lead. Okay, so I don't know that for sure, but I do know when it comes to disposable paper items, they're a great place to shop. No one will ever know you got your wrapping paper there.

Thrift Store Fabrics. Scarves, skirts and whatever can be repurposed as wrapping. Just make sure it's enough of a bargain to be worth it.

Going out of Business Sales. Sometimes you get lucky and can stock up on paper goods and ribbon. A.C. Moore's is closing a percentage of their stores across the country and they have plenty of craft supplies and things to get you started.

Other Sales. Wallpaper can, in fact, be used for wrapping paper. Fabric can too. So if you see a sale and the price is comparable to wrapping paper and it strikes your fancy-buy it and make them think you spent a mint. The same goes for fabric ribbon.

Newspaper. Get something either colorful (like the Sunday funnies) or interesting (like an Oriental paper that you can get for free at the Korean Market) and gussy it up with ribbon.

Maps. If you have an outdated map, or a very large paper one is on sale for a worthwhile price-snatch it up!

Publix Brown Bags. The perfect project for free wrapping paper. Just go shopping. Ask the grocery bagger for paper instead of plastic. Take them apart so you can lie them flat for wrapping. You can either leave them plain and let your ribbon be the decoration, or you can place holiday designs upon them. Yes you can go the craft store, but there are also plenty of free stencil designs you can print from the internet.

Aluminum Foil. Handy for cutting out accents to go on top of the gift, such as stars and the like. It's a bit fragile to use as wrapping paper, but if you find a bunch on sale-why not!

Check out this link for some great ideas on making your own wrapping paper: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1051534/how_to_make_vintage_christmas_wrapping.html?cat=24

Planning Ahead

Save Your Christmas Cards. Next year you can use the images to decorate your gifts or event to wrap smaller items.

Buy Wrapping Paper Just After Christmas. Sales, major. You'll not find holiday wrapping paper for cheaper than just after the season.