Blogmas -- Day 18

Welcome, Friends!  It's Blogmas -- Day 18 and I am so happy you are here!

It's about time to get those gifts wrapped, isn't it?  I am doing something a bit different this year.  Well, kind of.  I am going to be using recycled, handmade, and leftover gift wrapping.

I usually have left over wrapping paper and gift bags from some thing or another.  Birthdays and Christmas always bring more and more wrapping items.  I really don't know why because I hardly ever use it all up.  For years, I've had the same roll of wrapping paper and for years, I've used some of it.  I see a pretty new roll at the store and I must have it because you know that is going to make the holiday even better.  Are you hearing me?  Do you do this?

Even though, I usually buy new things, I am also known for using what I have on hand.  It's a long standing joke, within our family, that you never know if you will have Christmas, Easter, Birthday, or a paper bag wrapping your gifts.  My daughter is the same way.  LoL. I have one gift bag, from Father's Day several years back, that has had all the holidays in it.  I love Sharpie's!  I can just cross out whatever it said the last time it was used and the black sharpie will write perfectly, announcing Happy Birthday!  

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY! BIRTHDAY!  

Well the bag is nice and it has a lot of life left in it!  But anyhow, somehow I strayed away from I was doing. 

This year, I am once again recycling and reusing.   Sometime last year, my Mister brought home this large roll of brown paper that the company was going to through out.  I usually use it on my crafting table or under anything I am painting or staining.  I decided that it was perfect wrapping paper and I've been making handmade gift tags so this is perfect if I want the bow or gift tag to stand out.  Notice that pick bow?  That is leftover from our Ladies Ministry Breast Cancer Awareness party.  It is perfect for one of my granddaughter's gifts.  Who says Christmas has to be all red and green?  Not me!

I found an image online and had it printed, glued it to a piece of cardstock and added glitter and had a pretty gift tag to go with the pink bow.  

You don't have to get all fancy with wrapping, but doesn't a pretty bow make even a paper bag look good?  If you use a bit of velvet ribbon it will class it up.  I love velvet ribbon!  Christmas time needs a little velvet, in my opinion!  Remember the velvet jogging suits from the late 80's?  Perfect for Christmas dressing!  I digress!

It really isn't necessary to spend a lot of money on wrapping or tags.  I simply found the images online, had them printed at Fedex ( your home printer works just fine), added glitter and a piece of ribbon and I have gift tags that can serve as ornaments in the future if the receipient chooses.  Knowing my bunch, I will retrieve them from the pile of gift wrap and save them for my own tree or decorations and that's ok with me.

It is super simple to make the tags.  Maybe a little project for you and the children in your life.  It's fun and makes a gift extra special, in my opinion.

As always, friends, I so appreciate you being here.  Please leave a comment below!  

Grace & Peace,

Pam