Fun Find Friday: Gift Wrapping

This is my second Fun Find Friday dealing with gift wrap, so you probably think I’m obsessed with wrapping gifts, but really that’s not the case.  In fact, I actually don’t truly enjoy wrapping, so I’m always looking for ways to make it more interesting and fun.  My mother-in-law is the “master wrapper” so I have a lot to live up to.  Here is my latest trick: create a pocket from the wrapping paper to tuck the card into.  I can never find a cute way to attach cards to a package and I hate taping them, so this is the perfect little trick and it’s really SO simple.  Here are some pictures to explain the process:

1. Measure wrapping paper and cut to size according to the gift you are wrapping, allowing for a little extra paper on one end. Pinch a 2" portion of paper and fold over.

2. Flatten pinched paper out and crease.

3. Wrap the gift as you usually would, flip the gift over and voila --- a pocket to tuck your card into.

Fun Find Friday: DIY Gift Bow

Welcome to the very first Fun Find Friday.  Each Friday I will be posting my favorite trick of the week, so if you have any tricks up your sleeve, I’d love to hear about them! 
 

Today’s is a do-it-yourself gift bow.  There’s something about springtime because as I look at the calendar it seems as though we have a birthday party every weekend from now until eternity.  Now, I love me some parties- they give me an excuse to shop, so I’m not complaining!  But I will say that I despise spending money on gift wrapping.  It’s such a rip!  You budget for a gift, but then you throw in the wrapping paper, bow, tissue paper, box and card and next thing you know you’ve spent an extra $10.  Well, I’m here to help you with one of those things: the bow.  I learned this trick around Christmas and used it for many of our gifts.  I can’t tell you how many people commented on my little trick.  I just knew I had to share it with you (please forgive my horrible pictures).  Here are the steps:

1.  Grab a scrap piece of wrapping paper (preferably a strip somewhere around 5″x8″) and a pair of scissors.

2.  Fold the strip in half hamburger style (that’s the Kindergarten teacher coming out).

3.  Cut 1/2″ slits starting at the “open” side of the paper, leaving about 1/2″ uncut near the fold.

4.  Zoop (for lack of a better term, that’s what my mom called it) the paper with a pair of scissors until curled. Make sure the designed side of the wrapping paper is showing on the outside of the curl.

5.  Fold the folded end up twice — does that make any sense?

6.  Voilá!

7.  Tape your bow on the gift.