Gift Wrap that Makes Cents

Have you seen the cost of gift wrap lately? It's expensive. Especially for something that is literally torn up and then thrown away.

Gift wrap can be costly, especially at the holidays when we as consumers purchase and use more gift wrap during that one month than all other months combined.

There are ways to save money on gift wrap this season, as well as possibly recycle products and help the environment.

1. Consider primitive-style wrapping. This can be done by using brown paper and rafia. Brown paper is sold in rolls, but brown paper grocery bags work just as well. Simply cut the brown paper bag down one side and cut around the bottom. The result is a brown paper rectangle that can be turned inside out and used for wrapping. Brown paper looks best tied with rafia, which is a small rope-like craft string. A package of rafia usually costs less than a $1.00 and can be used to wrap dozens of gifts. Primitive wrapping looks best when all the presents are wrapped this way under the tree, and it looks especially pretty if the tree or home decor is a rustic or country style.

2. Get the kids involved. Kids of all ages love to color, cut, and paint. Buy one large roll of paper and let the kids go wild painting and decorating. When it's dry, the paper can be used to personalize gifts -- especially for those close to you -- like grandma and grandpa.

3. Shop the dollar store. The dollar store is my all-time favorite place to shop. At holiday time, there is a large selection of gift bags and wrapping paper for considerable savings from other department stores.

4. Use last year's wrapping paper. Saving wrapping paper from gifts received is a great way to not only save money, but help the environment as well. It's easy to save. Simply take the used paper, make sure all of the tape is removed, and then fold neatly in a large rectangle. A large gift box makes a great storage container. Because it folds flat, a lot of wrapping paper can be recycled this way.

5. Buy reusable gift bags. I love gift bags because they're quick to use as wrapping and because they're reusable. Sometimes after our family gift exchange, family members will leave theirs behind, and I'll pick up extra that would otherwise have been thrown away.

6. Use shredded papers for bedding in gift bags. Shredded paper from your home paper shredder makes great bedding for gift bags and even gift boxes. Save some from throughout the year just for that purpose. It's free (no tissue paper to buy), it can be fun and attractive (if you've shredded paper that's colored), and it's great for the environment. If you have gifts to send to others far away, the shredded paper is a great way to pad the gifts inside for shipping.