1. Wrapping your gifts will be stress-free. I admit it — I do not have the patience for wrapping presents. Cutting the wrapper in a straight line, making sure the wrapping is symmetrical… noooo! It stresses me out. Wrapping with crepe paper would be super fast, I thought. A little nip here and there, tie it up with a ribbon and poof! You’ve got a prettily wrapped present.
2. It’s naturally crinkly, so giving crinkled wrapped presents won’t look so bad.
3. Crepe paper comes in sooooooo many colors! I wanted to do a turquoise, deep green and maroon theme for my wrapping, but was drawn to lime green and lemon yellow instead. Look at this little cutie!
It reminded me of Elphaba, the Wicked Witch from the West. I can already hear this little wrapped trinket saying “Well, we can’t all come and go by bubble!”
And these sunshiney ones? They reminded me of buttercups and buttercakes!
4. You can use any snazzy ribbon to perk it up. I wanted to use wide ribbons with polka dots and stars, but decided to go for something tamer. These little white ones made the pressies looked well kept together even with all the uneven folding.
5. You don’t have to use tape. Say goodbye to sticky knuckles and worrying about seeing fingerprints on tape already stuck to presents.
6. I love the personal, organic look. While I love the grand classy wrapping of department stores, I love the informal, shabby chic vibe even more.
7. With your choice of trimmings, you can make it as grand or as simple as you want. Crepe paper is like a blank canvas. If you’ve got a wrapper with prints, putting a fancy ribbon is far as you can go, unless you like the “more is more” look. With crepe paper, you can go as crazy as you want with the size and color of ribbon. You can also put in holly sprigs and stuff like that. I realize you can also do this with plain gift wrapper, but they still won’t have the naturally crinkly and organic look of crepe paper that makes room for a little more craziness. 😀
8. The receiver of your gift will be encouraged to tear the gift open! My Grandma ALWAYS unwraps her presents in a neat way. Y’know, taking off the tape one by one, unfolding the wrapper carefully… While it’s part of her high neatness quirk, it frustrates us because we want to tell her to let loose a little bit. Rip it up! Tear it open! Celebrate with wrapper confetti! With crepe paper, she won’t feel any regret stepping out of her systematic zone. (Do you know people like this?)
9. They’re cute. ‘Nuff said.
10. You can color-code your presents. Blue is for boys, pink is for girls. Violet is for officemates, yellow for family. It’ll be easy to segregate once you have to distribute presents.
11. You can wrap gifts quickly. If you’re not particular about 90 degree angles and fancy folding, you can wrap one present in under two minutes.
12. You can layer them for a quirky look. Let red be the lining, white be the outer wrapping. Or combine loud colors like purple and orange, tie it up with silver ribbon for a festive holiday look.
13. It’s Santa-approved!
Yey for crepe-paper-wrapped Christmas pressies!
P.S. By the way, did you notice I didn’t have any gift tags? I’m not done labelling them yet!
P.P.S. This is my 3rd contribution to Thursday Thirteen! Technorati tag right here.
Hi! I'm Toni Tiu,
and I've been blogging at
at Wifely Steps since 2003. This started as a blog to help newly weds adjust to married life. It has evolved into a home and parenting blog. I write about things close to my heart -- good eats, good reads, family, marriage, and the little things that make everyday happy.
nicholas
December 20, 2007 at 10:40 am (16 years ago)Brilliant idea! I am never too worried about 90 degree corners or straight lines!
Lori
December 20, 2007 at 10:45 am (16 years ago)What a great idea…if I hadnt already wrapped all my gifts, I would have given it a try. Maybe next year:) Happy TT.
burntofferings
December 20, 2007 at 11:05 am (16 years ago)These look great, and I like how you have included a little wording on your pics…
Have a great TT, and a very Merry Christmas!!!
SandyCarlson
December 20, 2007 at 11:17 am (16 years ago)I never thought of this. It’s probably not too late to use some of my leftover Mardi Gras crepe paper to cover a few remaining gifts! Awesome. Nice blog you have here. God bless.
JaniceNW
December 20, 2007 at 11:20 am (16 years ago)Great idea! I use gift bags if needed. My teens love gift cards and they come in their very own envelopes!
ellen b
December 20, 2007 at 11:38 am (16 years ago)Oh so cute! So stinkin cute!
I’m gonna remember this trick.
Happy TT and Merry Christmas…
JO
December 20, 2007 at 11:51 am (16 years ago)so cool… i am using the wrapping bags, less hassle.
happy TT.
pussreboots
December 20, 2007 at 12:53 pm (16 years ago)An excellent idea. I’ll keep it in mind for next year. Happy TT.
ellen b
December 20, 2007 at 1:04 pm (16 years ago)Hi, In answer to your question on my blog about whether Poinsettias are poisonous the answer is no and you don’t have to take my word for it. Here’s one of many links dispelling that urban myth..
http://www.mediarelations.k-state.edu/WEB/News/NewsReleases/listpoinsettia96.html
Blessings….
SJ Reidhead
December 20, 2007 at 1:58 pm (16 years ago)Cool.
One year my mother wrapped everything the same and did not use tags. A good time was NOT had by all!
The Pink Flamingo
Damozel
December 20, 2007 at 3:17 pm (16 years ago)That is an EXCELLENT suggestion and I am totally doing that this year. The apple green looked really pretty…
kenju
December 20, 2007 at 3:37 pm (16 years ago)They are certainly wonderful, bright colors! I love wrapping presents, though, and I have the knack for it, luckily. Michele sent me.
Em Dy
December 20, 2007 at 4:06 pm (16 years ago)Toni, I’ll try this next year.
My secretary wrapped most of my presents. It’s a job she likes doing. When I wrapped one, she said it was too loose. She’s into sharp corners and all while I”m the shabby chic inspired one.
You can be a Rachy Cuna substitute. Really informative and helpful.
denden
December 20, 2007 at 4:16 pm (16 years ago)great colour toni! i love your big white bow accent. that’s something to think about next year.
hazel
December 20, 2007 at 4:56 pm (16 years ago)this is just brilliant! kopyahin ko ha : )
Robin
December 20, 2007 at 7:29 pm (16 years ago)I think they look great! I may incorporate this one myself.
Hootin' Anni
December 20, 2007 at 8:03 pm (16 years ago)Wow, these are terrific!!! So festive looking
Happy 13ing.
Jennifer Cockerham
December 20, 2007 at 9:37 pm (16 years ago)those are so pretty.
Nyree
December 20, 2007 at 9:47 pm (16 years ago)Oooh! These are wonderful! I’m going to try these out. Love the colors you used!
HeadGaggler
December 20, 2007 at 10:48 pm (16 years ago)What a great idea! They look soo cute.
tin
December 20, 2007 at 11:22 pm (16 years ago)they look so cute, toni! you never run out of ideas, galing!
i also don’t have the ‘knack’ in wrapping gifts. guess this idea of yours will come in handy next christmas season!
maligayang pasko to you and d!!
Holly
December 20, 2007 at 11:24 pm (16 years ago)I LIKE this. I am what is known as “wrapping paper challenged”. I just can’t seem to make my presents look all nice and Good Housekeeping approved. They always look like they belong in a B-grade sitcom of beer swizzling dudes or something. This gives me hope! (not sure I can do those ribbons though…LOL)
Happy TT-13, Merry Christmas, and Happy Holidays!
Smiles,
Holly
http://theabundanceplace.com
Rach (Heart of Rachel)
December 20, 2007 at 11:37 pm (16 years ago)I love your choice of colors. It’s so festive! Imagine how creative presents can be using crepe paper. Thanks for sharing this nice idea.
MarysMom
December 20, 2007 at 11:46 pm (16 years ago)Your photos are just top-notch! They would really look oh-so-pretty under the tree.
Me? I’m just using up wrapping paper, bows and tags from years past.
momhuebert
December 21, 2007 at 12:02 am (16 years ago)I love this idea! It’s different and creative. I think I’ll try this — I haven’t wrapped gifts yet.
Some years I use brown paper, or tissue paper, just to be different. I’m thrilled to have a new idea!
Rian Fike
December 21, 2007 at 12:29 am (16 years ago)So exquiste, so beautiful. I can feel them through my monitor!
amypalko
December 21, 2007 at 12:34 am (16 years ago)Those look so lovely, Toni! I’m just about to begin an epic wrapping session just as soon as the kids go to bed. Not sure mine will look as nice as yours though.
Chelle Y.
December 21, 2007 at 5:09 am (16 years ago)Too bad I did not read this before I wrapped all my presents!
pinayhekmi
December 21, 2007 at 6:07 am (16 years ago)What a great idea! I really suck at wrapping gifts. I’ll think of this next time.
lady cess
December 21, 2007 at 7:01 am (16 years ago)pahiram ng idea mo toni ha? i’m sooo bad at wrapping gifts too. we’ll be giving out food in round containers and i still have no idea how to wrap them. i’m not so great with plastic and foil, so this is a great tip!
Rae
December 21, 2007 at 7:05 am (16 years ago)Great list I never thought of using crepe paper I am so tired of using wrapping paper and having to dig around for tape Happy TT & Happy Holidays http://inraesworld.blogspot.com/
Junnie
December 21, 2007 at 10:27 am (16 years ago)and most of all – it is easier to open….no guilt feelings of tearing out wrapping paper and saving it for next year!
i love your pics Toni…and your Old rose towel as a background….nice touch.
Lani
December 21, 2007 at 2:01 pm (16 years ago)Happy holidays!!!
dhey
December 21, 2007 at 2:39 pm (16 years ago)#8 – that would be my mom! hahaha…
thanks for the tip!
i use japanese paper for wrapping presents. it actually looks classier than ordinary gift wraps when you put a pretty ribbon. maybe i’ll try crepe paper next year or on the next occasion.
Shai Coggins
December 21, 2007 at 4:33 pm (16 years ago)Brilliant. Love it!
cbs
December 21, 2007 at 7:00 pm (16 years ago)nag-email ako sa imo…
jeanny
December 21, 2007 at 10:12 pm (16 years ago)good thinking toni. Thanks for the advice. next year ganito gagawin ko. I am almost dont wrapping na kc eh, hehehe…
sid
December 21, 2007 at 10:39 pm (16 years ago)so creative, amazing way of wrapping gifts :).
Linda R. Moore
December 22, 2007 at 8:37 am (16 years ago)* chuckle * I agree, paper is for ripping off. I like all the colors myself…but will probably just use up the $1 roll of paper and some old flyers for the gift wrapping. 😉
My TT was about the solstice this week.
cyberpunk
December 23, 2007 at 3:51 am (16 years ago)great idea. i kinda suck at gift wrapping but this crepe paper wrapping seems easy and looks fun and even classy.
as for your grandma, we used to be like that 😀
Leah
December 28, 2007 at 2:23 pm (16 years ago)What a great idea. This could be my wrapping for next year. I’ll try . although I dont see a lot of crepe paper in the stores here.
Jenny
November 19, 2008 at 4:47 pm (16 years ago)So nice! Hope I remember for next year. Wasn’t it more expensive than regular wrapping paper? I mean the crepe paper.
Jennys last blog post..Friendship Tag