Ideas for budget B-Day wrapping paper ?

[pandora174]

I am going crazy. DS's b-day is next Sunday. I have all the shopping done except WRAPPING paper. I was counting on my local Dollar Tree, well 3 stores later & no b-day wrapping paper, only x-mas.

I tried Walgreens (they had solid red) & CVS very pricey but I would have to buy 2 or 3 roles for his big gift (too much $ for something he'll rip in a flash). I have no problem buying 1 pricey role for his 2 smaller presents but he's getting also a Radio Flyer & that box is huge ! Any ideas that will look cute ???

Thanks !

 

[midwestdee]

I always used the Sunday funny papers. Why spend $5 extra on paper that will be ripped to shreds in seconds?

 

[Perditamarie]

You could also check out:

* a dollar store
* Big Lots
* BJs
* or use a bike bag for the big gift

 

[clh2]

definitely reuse the comics. Heck...even the rest of the paper can be used too.

Another idea -get a roll of kraft paper - the stuff you would use if you were mailing a package...if you have any other children - see if they will "create a masterpiece" for the wrapping paper.

My last idea - get a gift bag from a card store. These are wonderful...usually decorated for b-days, they have a nice yarn tie thingy. And...they are reusable for future b-day's as well.

Or - I know this would be a lot of work...Set up a treasure hunt for them to find the present...maybe wrap each individual clue...but when they get to the present in its hiding spot, just have a bunch of ribbon on it, and no wrapping paper.

I remember 1 time taking a blanket and using it for the wrapping paper. I can't picture how big your box is, what about using a beach towel, or buying a fleece blanket (really cheap at this time of year) to use.

The reality is...most kids do not care what it is wrapped in...they just want the goods!

 

[cglaura]

Check a local shipping store or office supply store for plain brown wrap, then decorate with stickers from Dollar Tree.

This is also a very pretty wrap for Christmas when combined with pretty plaid ribbon...very cozy country/nostalgic looking.

 

[Mkaz]

I always used the Sunday funny papers. Why spend $5 extra on paper that will be ripped to shreds in seconds?

We do too! Glad we aren't the only ones. The kids always seem to get a kick out of it.

 

[Hannathy]

Go back to the dollar store and get their bright colored tissue paper. (or pastels if it is a girl and she likes those colors) You can even use all the different colors from the same pack, if it is really big just wrap it in sections or stripes and then add several bows in different colors or curling ribbon one of those bunched up thingies. One pack for $1 will wrap a very big present. I use it all the time.

 

[natashag76]

Sunday comics user here, too. I also use large brown paper bags inside out and decorate them with stickers or let the siblings draw on it.

 

[drcmk]

I save up our old paper road maps (hardly use them now that we have GPS) for colorful wrapping paper. Most of them I got free from AAA, but after five or six years the maps are too out of date to rely on.

 

[allison443]

Are you sure there wasn't any Christmas paper that could "pass" as birthday paper? Something silver or gold, even a snowflake pattern could be used...I have seen a lot of blue and white snowflake patterns lately! Also Target's dollar section had rolls of paper with multicolored polka dots, not Christmas colors at all!
Hope you find something~

 

[Ratpack]

Target had some in the Dollar Spot this year. I am using that- cheap, pretty and actually matched each of the patterns- 3 different kinds here.

 

[pantherlj]

Here is a link to a $5 off $5 or more at Hallmark. I think it lets you print 2 coupons!

http://www.hallmark.com/webapp/wcs/...es/GCS_HOLIDAY_COUPON?mc=BAE_P_GC_SRCH_COUPON

 

[luv2nascar]

you could always decorate brown paper bags.
We cut them to cover books or use as wrapping paper

 

[msmayor]

Are you sure there wasn't any Christmas paper that could "pass" as birthday paper? Something silver or gold, even a snowflake pattern could be used...I have seen a lot of blue and white snowflake patterns lately! Also Target's dollar section had rolls of paper with multicolored polka dots, not Christmas colors at all!
Hope you find something~

While this may be OK for very little kids, its not something I would do for an older child. As someone who has a birthday 11 days before Christmas I can tell you that getting a birthday present wrapped in paper that "passes" as generic made me sad, as if my birthday wasn't special enough to get paper other than Christmas wrap.

 

[Earstou]

We always use the Sunday comics, too.
We have to tell our ds to quit reading and open his presents!

For really big presents, I've even resorted to a garbage bag in a pinch, decorated with lots and lots of curling ribbon.

 

[Kimberlyfamilyfv]

sell their end of the roll paper they use to print on and even the smallest roll has more yardage that most rolls of wrapping paper. When I need to be thrifty I pickup one or two of these rolls and use pad and ink stampers to decorate my gift once it is wrapped. just a thought.


Kimberly

 

[Shelby5514]

Go to the dollar store, big lots, etc... and buy a plastic birthday themed tablecloth. Decorate with ribbons.