This is the second of an eight post series called “It’s a Wrap, Yo!” that includes ideas, wrapping tips and tricks, and inspiration for your holiday wrapping. Check out the introduction and Part 1.
It’s a Wrap, Yo! is here! Your weekly wrapping tips from the workshop is packed full of goodness. I’m sharing tips for finding quality wrapping paper, where to shop for it, and the best ways to use it if you’re on a budget! Plus, tips for finding and using good kraft paper because I love me a good kraft package.
How to Find the Good Stuff: Things to Look for in Good Gift Wrap
Essentially, you want to find paper that is thick and won’t tear on the corners of a gift box when you’re wrapping, and won’t show every line or crease from regular handling. The key here is quality over quantity. You don’t need to stock up on gift wrap. Yes, you can find loads of wrapping paper everywhere at low prices. But most of it will be poor quality, and for some reason you’ll be compelled to buy 15 rolls and have it around for 10 years or more. We all do it (I swear my mom still has wrapping paper from 1993 that she uses)! Quality gift wrap will be a little more expensive, but you don’t need to buy a lot of it, and you can buy new designs every year! It’s worth the cost because:
People notice!
And they appreciate that you took the time and expense just for them.
It’s reusable!
Because of the thickness of higher quality paper, your recipients can reuse the paper. Instead of a single use and then off to the recycling bin (or garbage in some cases based on the paper), the paper can be saved and used next year for someone else to enjoy as a wrapped gift or in the form of a DIY project–gift tags, perhaps? That second life is worth the extra money.
You can get more bang for your buck & still stand out
You can always make paper go further by cutting it into strips to use as an accent (more on that below), choosing just one or two really special presents for it. You’ll be a wrap genius no matter what.
Where to Shop
Shop local!
Support your local stationery boutiques. They carry high quality paper from independent designers. Support Small Business Saturday on November 28 and support your home town businesses! Also, shop the company’s website directly. Rifle Paper Co., Smock Paper, and Snow and Graham are just a few of my favorite places to shop for wrapping paper. #shopsmall
Look for the words “high quality” and “premium”
If shopping at big box stores, look for the words “high quality” and “premium. Yes, it is a scam sometimes, so pay close attention to the price and square footage. Looking at the end of a roll can help you see the thickness. Don’t be afraid to tear a small piece of cellophane from the top to feel the paper. For the most part though, seeing those words usually means the paper is both of those things—it’s thicker and will tear less, though it most likely won’t be as thick as indie designs.
Bonus
Sugar Paper, an L.A. based stationery company, has partnered with Target this year to create a beautiful holiday gift wrap collection that provides affordable high quality wrapping and accessories. See the full collection here.
How to Use that $$$ Gift Wrap On a Budget
Use a mix of high end pattern paper and more affordable solid paper
It’s a fantastic way to stretch your dollar and it gives your gifts more depth and variety, especially if you like to coordinate them under your tree. Paper Source’s solid color rolls of paper are affordable and easy to wrap with (pictured in red and gravel below).
Cut your patterned paper into strips or “belly bands” for accents
Cut strips anywhere from 3”-12” inches depending on the size of the gift, and use it as a layer on your solid paper or kraft paper gifts. This saves you money and makes you look like a wrapping genius. Plus, it brings together your coordinated theme if you have one. Think about how you can send coordinated gifts to your friends or family.
I like to create different vignettes for each person I’m giving gifts to. Here’s an example: if I send three gifts to my dad, I might wrap the largest one in kraft paper and add a patterned strip, wrap the medium one with the patterned paper, and the small one with kraft paper only but make sure the ribbon coordinates with the other two. Boom. You have three gifts wrapped differently, but all match. And you don’t get bored in the process and you’ve stretched your fancy pants paper too!
Mix in metallics for a sophisticated look
You can often find metallic paper at a very reasonable price but looks like you spent a lot more. The copper paper below is from Target, $4.00 per roll. See the related tips from last week!
Kraft Paper Makes Beautiful Gifts
You can create absolutely stunning gifts with kraft paper and a few embellishments. You can use natural elements or things in your craft stash to create a pretty gifts.
Kraft paper should be high quality too!
There’s a big difference between bargain kraft paper, and sturdy, high quality paper—and the price difference is relatively small. The best part is that kraft rolls are often really big. Mine have lasted over two years with lots of wrapping. This one is my favorite, found at Target:
Note: Because of its thickness, you’ll need to use double-sided tape, but that’s what you should use all the time! More on that next week.
I hope you can use these tips when you’re out shopping this season for gift wrap. Let me know if you have any questions and show me your presents! I’d love to see them—find me on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter!
Next week, we’ll talk about the best supplies for gift wrapping, including scissors, tape (double-sided!), and ribbon, and I’ll share some of my gift wrap faves. Thanks for reading!xo
For lots of fun, creative, and pretty packaging ideas, follow my Gift Wrap Pinterest board!
Check out the It’s a Wrap, Yo! series page here.
Linking up with Think & Make/ The Pin Junkie / The Handmade Hangout / Creativity Unleashed