Alternative Uses of Wrapping Paper

First, ask yourself this question: Are you a saver or a crumpler? When it comes to wrapping paper, there are more ways than you can ever think to re-use that beautiful paper besides making your gift elegant and presentable. Besides, re-using wrapping paper will not only help the environment, it will help you save money too. Here are some unique ideas to re-use wrapping paper:

1. Cover file folders to organize different items such as books, magazines, and other household items.
2. Wrap homemade flower bases and potted plants for a cheerful style.
3. Create party hats for children that can be used during birthdays, New Year's Eve and other appropriate celebrations.
4. Cover cardboard boxes to add elegance to those otherwise dull boxes.
5. Cut wrapping paper into small pieces, which can be used as confetti during merry making.
6. Instead of using cards, cut wrapping paper into card-size form and use to send thank you notes.
7. Cut wrapping paper into note-size pieces to be used in place of a notepad and staple near a phone book.
8. Wrapping paper makes great origami paper.
9. Cover books.
10. Use as stuffing material as an alternative to bubble wrap, tissue paper or newspaper.
11. Wrap ornaments and other items that need to be stored away.
12. Make festive placemats.
13. Use as wallpaper for cabinets and drawer liners.
14. Wrap flower bouquets.
15. Crumpled wrapping paper can be used to light fire.

Martha Stewart has a unique and stylish suggestion for using wrapping paper: as a table runner to add style to reception space. To do this, she suggests trimming the paper to any width and hanging the paper eighteen inches over table ends. The same wrapping paper can also be used to cover tops of favor boxes. You can find the article by visiting www.marthastewart.com.

If you are a saver and like reading books, then "Decorating With Giftwraps" by Carol Endler Sterbenz (Abrams, Inc. 1989) is a must have in your bookshelf. It contains many ideas to reuse wrapping paper.

So the next time you wrap a gift, try to use as little tape or adhesive as possible. Ask the receiver not to rip and waste the paper. When you open a gift, do yourself a favor - do not tear away and crumple the wrapping paper. Re-use and save.