Gift Wrapping - The Upcycler Way!

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 December is here, the shopping has begun, and the wrapping can't be far behind.   Today I have the perfect way to wrap gifts without buying any wrapping paper at all. But first, a little background.  
Our state passed a law in 2020 banning plastic bags.  It's called the Bag Waste Reduction Law.  If you're really interested, you can Google it, but gist of it is there are no more plastic bags being distributed by stores.  You can bring your reusable bags for shopping or get a paper bag from the store.  We use reusable bags for groceries, but most other stores provide you with paper if you don't have a reusable one.  I've acquired a few and decided they were going to be upcycled into Christmas gift wrap!
Even bags with writing on them can be used.  Just cut out the bottom, open it up, and place the writing facing up.
This bag happened to be perfect for this box, so I wrapped it in the same manner as regular wrapping paper.
Time to make it pretty with some grosgrain ribbon.
I strategically located the ribbon to hide the seam!

Next, I made a tag out of cardstock and another piece of paper bag and added a little poinsettia for a pop of color.
Simple...but I had another idea!

I cut a few snowflakes out of vinyl on my Maker and stuck them on the package.  If you don't own a Maker or another die cutting machine, you can use punches or cut them with scissors.  The other option is stickers!
Now before you start yelling that vinyl is expensive.....keep in mind, I'm cheap, I mean, frugal and check out this vinyl I bought at the dollar store:
That's right 4 feet for a dollar!  As you can see, I bought some glitter vinyl too!
I used this design to decorate a plain bag:
Let's face it, at this price, the possibilities are endless.
Now, I went with a neutral palette but use some colored ribbon, tissue, vinyl, even some floral picks, and you have some gift wrap that is pretty amazing.  
Also, there are 2 very important pluses:
1.  You didn't spend a small fortune on wrapping paper.
2.  You used those paper bags that have been sitting in the closet collecting dust. 
 
So tell me, how are you wrapping presents this year?

I hope you'll pin, share, comment, and follow.  If you click on those 3 little lines at the top left of the blog (on the Home page), you'll see where to find me...or click on the icon below to share.


This will be my last project post for the month of December.  This gal needs a little break, but I'll be back in January!  Party In Your PJ's will be here on 12/07 & 14.  
Wishing all of you a wonderful Holiday Season and I'll see you in 2022!

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Comments

  1. Patti @ Pandoras BoxDecember 4, 2021 at 9:56 AM

    Great idea - is the vinyl of good quality for the Cricut machine?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnDecember 4, 2021 at 7:19 PM

      It isn't as heavy as my Oracal 651, but it worked great in my Maker.

      Delete
  2. Gardening HelenDecember 4, 2021 at 11:46 AM

    Great idea!! Thanks for taking time to share on My Big Fat Menopausal Life's Share the Wealth Party. It is greatly appreciated. Have a wonderful weekend and week ahead!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Lady of the ManorDecember 5, 2021 at 8:20 AM

    I love this idea!, I think I’m getting a Cricket for Christmas and was wondering about projects. I will definitely keep this one in mind! Merry Christmas! Z

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnDecember 5, 2021 at 3:34 PM

      Thank you, Zenda. I hope you get a Cricut...you will love it!
      Merry Christmas to you and your family!

      Delete
  4. Michele MorinDecember 5, 2021 at 1:34 PM

    That's a true positive outcome of the bag situation. Are you also in Maine? We have a no-bag policy here...

    ReplyDelete
  5. StephanieDecember 7, 2021 at 2:54 PM

    Such a wonderful idea, and they turned out lovely.

    Merry Christmas!

    -Stephanie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnDecember 7, 2021 at 7:22 PM

      Thank you, Stephanie. I'm busy creating more now that I'm ready to wrap!

      Delete
  6. Tania PelletierDecember 8, 2021 at 10:04 AM

    Such a great idea! Washington state banned plastic bags too but they still provide a reusable plastic bag and charge .08 cents each if you want them. Not many stores have paper bags available though and that's always been my choice... if I had the choice. I love your pretty gifts!

    Tania

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnDecember 8, 2021 at 3:41 PM

      I'm really glad we've done away with plastic bags. I love my reusable ones and the paper? There are so many things you can do with it!

      Delete
  7. Kim December 9, 2021 at 10:36 AM

    Beautiful Ann! And I didn't know you could get vinyl at the dollar store. Hmmm...I don't have a machine, but this makes me wonder if I should be asking Santa for one!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. AnonymousDecember 10, 2021 at 9:25 PM

    Love it! We just bought a Maker.

    Michelle
    https://mybijoulifeonline.com,

    ReplyDelete
  9. Debbie-Dabble Blog and A Debbie-Dabble ChristmasDecember 11, 2021 at 7:57 PM

    Ann,
    Great gift wrapping ideas!! Thanks so much for taking the time to stop by! I hope you are having a good weekend!!
    Hugs,
    Deb

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnDecember 12, 2021 at 7:06 PM

      Thank you, Debbie. Hope all is well with you!

      Delete
  10. Joanne December 12, 2021 at 11:40 AM

    Our state passed a plastic bag law too (back in 2018 or 2019) but all that meant was if you used plastic bags from the store they charged you a 10 cent fee per bag; hardly any stores offered paper. So we try to keep bags in our cars at all times. What great way to re-use what you have though!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnDecember 12, 2021 at 7:06 PM

      There are no plastic bags available here at all. I'm all for it and now I have lots of paper to recycle/upcycle!

      Delete
  11. betty-NZDecember 13, 2021 at 6:57 PM

    Such wonderful ideas for wrapping. I have to say that, in my younger days, I used newspaper as a unique wrapping (and eventually receiving a rolled up newspaper wrapped in pretty paper!) since the paper would curl beautifully!!

    Feel free to share at My Corner of the World

    ReplyDelete

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