Brown Paper Packages Tied Up with Strings

This wonderful holiday gift wrapping post comes
to you from fellow blogger Sutton Shealy.  
Read more about Sutton below.  xo, melissa

-------------------------------------------

As Christmas quickly approaches, the gift wrapping frenzy begins. Though some feel that the wrapping is just as important as the gift itself, not everyone has the time, the money, or the know how to create truly swoon-worthy presents from the outside in. But if you allow yourself to put half as much thought into the presentation as the goodie within, you can increase the WOW factor with just a few simple ideas.

Work with what you have.

LEFT: Paper Route    RIGHT: Stupid Flamingo

A newspaper, an old magazine, last year's calendar, old wallpaper, or even a map can be used in lieu of purchasing wrapping paper. If you're feeling especially crafty and are d.i.y-inclined, try going one step further by using brown butcher paper (or a cut up brown paper grocery bag), a piece of linoleum (available at most every art supply store), a linoleum cutter, a stamp pad or block printing ink, and make your own wrapping paper!

I followed the Design*Sponge tutorial found here, but instead of making personalized stationary, I made wrapping paper. The entire project took all of 20 minutes. I recommend wrapping the present first, then stamping it along the edges of the box, being sure the ink is dry before adding a bow or placing it under the tree.

When it comes to adding a bow, think beyond the bow...
Think *embellishments*.

Necklace-embellish present, DIY Life.

Do you have an old pair of earrings, an inexpensive ornament you could part with, a piece of lace, pine cones from the yard, enough time to make popcorn garland, or a broken necklace? Recycle these types of things and use them to decorate your gift.

Dual printable bow/name tags, Creature Comforts.

I also love Creature Comforts' printable bow and name tags in one. You can print and color your own here.

If all else fails, turn to these splurge-worthy and eco-friendly
wrapping papers.

Field Guide Design hand printed wrapping paper.

Be sure to check out Field Guide 35's blog for a step by step guide showing how thee beautiful papers above were printed.

Smock Paper reversible gift wrapping paper.

Paper Tiger Wrap on Etsy.

-------------------------------------------------------

Sutton Shealy is a mother, wife, friend, business owner, and blogger. She enjoys music (live preferably), traveling, the mountains, the Pacific Ocean, sleeping in a tent, camping near water, crushed ice, and pretty things. Sutton hopes to one day travel for one year without a home base; driving everywhere, seeing everything, and enjoying the sunset at the end of each day. Read more about Sutton at The Dainty Dish and On the Road Less Traveled.