How to Save Money on Packing Holiday Gifts

Looking for fun, inexpensive and recyclable packing ideas for sending holiday gifts? Some of these novel holiday packing hints are free and the rest are inexpensive, so gather up those gifts and start packing.

Let's start with the free packing materials, since you've already probably spent plenty on the gifts and the wrappings. Save up the junk mail and the catalogs that are in color, and start shredding! You can mix in plain old newspaper if you don't have enough, but use all those glossy catalogs and newspaper inserts, and get a second use out of those trees that have already been cut down. This works better with a regular shredder than a cross cut.

Shred idea # 2 is to just use plain old newspaper, and after the shredding is done mix in a few strands of tinsel. Colorful paper shopping bags can also be shredded but be sure to remove the handles first and cut to fit your shredded.

Popcorn, a perennial packing favorite, provides a nice soft cushion, is easy to toss into the box and fits itself around the gifts nicely. This is especially nice if you are packing cookies- you can also use it right in the cookie containers to soften the blow. The package can be jazzed further up by using the colored popcorn that's probably been sitting right in the cupboard.

Another easy, inexpensive filler is the make-your-own-air-filled-bags method. Just take zipper locking bags and blow them up, seal, and stuff them around the gifts. Don't fill them too tight or they will pop, so just partially fill the bags with air. The bonus is that the receiver can just take them out and reuse the bags. For added fun, toss a few holiday wrapped candies into the bags before you puff in the air and seal.

Use colorful holiday covered plastic containers- the kind you might buy to pack cookies or treats in. These can fill space and are reusable. You can also wrap gifts directly into these containers, using colored tissues paper around the gifts inside the containers. If nothing is fragile, these don't have to pack these tightly and it is ok if they shift around in the packing carton.

A little more costly, but a very welcome stuffing by the recipient, is stuffing with soft gift items, such as small towels- washcloths can be purchased very inexpensively in bulk at most discount stores. Particularly fun are holiday motif towels. Take the towel- kitchen, washcloth or hand towel, roll to fit the space, then tie with a pretty ribbon and add a tag. Napkins are a bit more costly, but a set of holiday napkins make a fun stuffing item, and can usually be purchased in sets of 4 or six.

Placemats, both fabric and foam are another excellent packing material. Use the cushy foam ones at the top and bottom of the box to cushion a fragile shipment of gifts. Stick on gift tags work best on these. Roll fabric mats and tie with a ribbon, then add a gift tag to the ribbon.

Solid Styrofoam ornaments (or any unbreakable material) can also be picked up at the dollar store and used for packing. Sometimes you can find these for a dollar for a bag of 12. If you are really going for it, stuffed animals can also be tucked into the box to fill the space. Smaller ones are best- otherwise you end up just needing a bigger box and more packing materials.
Door Draft stoppers can also be used, although they may add a bit of weight to your packing cost, so choose carefull. Airplane neck pillows also make a welcome packing material, but again there is some cost involved. These are the C-shaped pillows meant to fit around the neck. You can find inflatable ones, or bean, foam bead or herb filled pillow.

I've save my favorite tip for last. Take your packing carton and pack the gift boxes empty first. You'll need to eyeball it a bit, using what you plan to send. Then fill the boxes and wrap after you already know what will fill the box. Sometimes changing the box you are sending, or tucking two presents into one larger box works better. Other times the pajama pants and top fit better in one small box for each.

Overall, for packing materials, think reusable, and look for the colors of the season. Be creative and don't be afraid to think outside the box.