Original Giftwrap

 

            Have you priced giftwrap these days? The paper and bags may cost as much as the gift you're giving. It's out of control! But here's a way to fight back: get a group of kids together, and have them make designer giftwrap. You will enjoy using it twice as much: not only will it be pretty, but it will be CHEAP!!!

 

            You can call your local daily or weekly newspaper and ask for the end of a roll of newsprint, if you'd like to make extra wide paper. When they change rolls, there often is a length of paper left on a roll that they're only going to throw away.

 

            Similarly, an architect's or engineer's office may give you a roll of their drawing paper or scanner paper for that purpose, if you ask and say it's for kids. You can always purchase rolls of white wrapping paper at an office supply store that's fairly cheap. Another alternative: paint over paper grocery sacks, either intact or taken apart. And you can buy solid-color gift bags at party stores or stationery shops that are fairly inexpensive, and go to work adding your special touches to make them gorgeous and distinctive.

 

            Use tempera paint, markers, crayons or colored pencils. Set out glue and bits of ribbon, fabric, sequins, buttons, feathers, glitter, and whatever else trips your trigger. An interesting 3-D look is achieved with combined media, such as paint and glitter, with glued-on serendipity, such as little game pieces and toy parts from your "lost drawer," painted dry pasta, and so forth.

By Susan Darst Williams • www.GoBigEd.com • After School Treats 6/9/06 • © 2006