‘Tis the season for ribbons and bows, for packages, boxes, and bags. I don’t really count my Christmas shopping complete until I’ve wrapped all the presents and they’re under the tree. It’s just the Type-A in me. There’s something about wrapping presents that, while the process can be tedious and sometimes overwhelming, gets me excited when I envision the person opening the present.

However, gift wrap can be an added expense to the holiday budget that can sometimes be the straw to break the camel’s back. I always forget to budget for gift wrap, and in previous years, I’ve shot myself in the foot. But this year, I’ve finally figured out ways to make this small part of Christmas more budget-friendly without sacrificing the beauty of the gift wrap (because I am all about gorgeous packages).

Before, I have spent up to $150 on Christmas gift wrap, which included wrapping paper, bows, gift tags, gift bags, and tissue paper. This year, my grand total for gift wrap was under $20. Here’s how I did it.

Use white or butcher paper

I’m the first one to go all out on festive wrapping paper with engaging colors and beautiful designs. And I still love it; but it’s not always the most frugal choice. Simple white paper or butcher paper is virtually free and always in large supply. Many butchers will actually just give you some white or butcher paper for free (or for a very small price). I love shopping local, so I don’t mind spending a few bucks at the businesses of people in my community. I bought the paper pictured above at a small shop in town for under $5. White or butcher paper has a classic look that is simple and at the same time is a perfect canvas for creativity that won’t break the bank …

Get creative with ribbons and bows

I’m a big fan of buying simple, timeless, and elegant ribbons and bows. This year, I bought a 24 foot spool of the red ribbon pictured above for under $10. It was actually thicker than I liked, so I cut it in half to make 48 feet. Winning. You can also use twine, which is typically more affordable, or even old blouses that you plan on throwing out anyway.

Save gift bags that you receive for next year

This may necessitate some forward planning. Last year, Dave and I saved all the gift bags that we received from loved ones, and we have a plethora this year. I haven’t had to buy a single gift bag yet and we still have many left over. You could also do this with tissue paper and bows to save even more money!

Shop for next year’s gift wrap after the holidays and buy in bulk

Everything is marked down after Christmas. Everything! This is prime time to shop not only for artificial Christmas trees and Christmas home decor, but also Christmas gift wrap. Gift wrap styles change from year to year, so most retailers are anxious to just clear the shelves. Another way to save money when these items are on mega sale is buying in bulk or buying large amounts. I’d buy tissue paper in large amounts (because we need it frequently throughout the year for other occasions), and any festive ribbon that I really adore. I’ve snagged wrapping paper for 50% off before and was able to stock up big time.

Skip the gift tags

Have you ever noticed how expensive decorative gift tags can be? They are a present in and of themselves. By cutting out the gift tags, I’ve saved some major green. I just use a black sharpie to write a message on the plain paper. If I were more of an artist like Carolyn, I could get even more creative. But my family will take what they can get 😉

Do you enjoy searching for the perfect gift wrap or is it more of a chore?

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