Using newspaper for wrapping paper

[rparmfamily]

I'm considering this, instead of wasting money on wrapping paper and recycling what I have, I think we are going to just use newspaper instead. Does that sounds nuts? My family knows I'm on the crunchy side (some of them are too) but I'm trying to think of a way to dress it up. I'm thinking of giving the kids red and green crayons and using some red and green ribbon to make it more Christmasy.

What do you think? Would you think it odd to have your gifts wrapped in newspaper?

 

[starwood]

Use the comics section. It's a lot more colorful. This is very environmentally conscious. Good job.

 

[ah1126]

Another idea would be to get brown paper bags when you go to the grocery store. You could use the plain side and decorate it anyway you like! It would be another free option!

 

[rflorek]

Growing up, my grandmother always wrapped my birthday presents with the Sunday comic section. I thought it was cool (especially when she made sure that Peanuts or Ziggy was on top - they were my favorites!)

 

[daisyduck123]

I can't stand newsprint on fingers, countertops, anywhere.....so I would totally avoid using newspaper as wrapping paper. I'm a person who reads a paper VERY quickly, just so I can throw it away before the ink gets on my couch, counter, etc.

**I'd go with the brown paper bag idea.

 

[Trena]

Comics are fine. Regular newspaper would be hard to decorate. I wouldn't want to get ink on everything.

I like the brown paper bag idea. You could sponge paint it, make kids hand prints with red and green paint.

I have seen baby blankets used to wrap baby shower gifts. How about fabric?

I like to use gift bags. I think the are a nice compromise since we use them each year until they start to look worn out. To save money I always buy bags and some paper on clearance right after the holidays.

 

[T. Lynn]

I can't stand newsprint on fingers, countertops, anywhere.....so I would totally avoid using newspaper as wrapping paper. I'm a person who reads a paper VERY quickly, just so I can throw it away before the ink gets on my couch, counter, etc.

**I'd go with the brown paper bag idea.

Agreed. I hate the fingerprints from the ink...to messy for me.

Another vote for brown paper bag idea.

 

[chiefdragon]

My inlaws use newspaper for everything they wrap. The new inks that is being used here in Delaware does not come off on your hands. It has become their trademark for a gift. I love the idea.

 

[rflorek]

I can't stand newsprint on fingers, countertops, anywhere.....so I would totally avoid using newspaper as wrapping paper. I'm a person who reads a paper VERY quickly, just so I can throw it away before the ink gets on my couch, counter, etc.

**I'd go with the brown paper bag idea.

I get 2 papers every day, and read them quite thoroughly, and I don't seem to have the problem with the newsprint getting all over the place - especially not the counters, furniture, tabletops, etc..

I still like the idea of the comics - especially from the more recent strips where some may have a winter or holiday theme.

 

[dougsmom98]

I don't know why, but I can't stand newspaper as wrapping paper. I have no real reason for disliking it, but I do. She thinks it is funny. I personally think that gift bags are the way to go because they can be used over and over and over again. I find deals on them through the lakeside catalog and at Oriental Trading Company. I buy plane red or green ones and use them for birthdays too. I think brown paper bags are a good idea too. You can decorate them with cut outs from last year's Christmas cards.

 

[pandora174]

Just my humble opinion but I have never heard of giftwrapping using newspaper & I would hate the ink on my hands or elsewhere. What I'm doing to save is everytime I see CVS or Walgreens has buy 1 roll get one 1, I grab it. The other day was buy 1 get 2 free. So for $1.99 each time I get a few rolls. But I would find it odd in a funny kind of way to get a present wrapped in newpaper but it's the thought that counts anyway.

 

[merryweather20]

If you can't get brown paper bags in your area, I've gotten LARGE rolls at the dollar store. I'm sure no one would give a second thought to news-print, but having your kids decorate brown paper would look very snazzy!

 

[figment52]

If you sew you can get Christmas fabric whe nit goes on sale and make gift bags, different sizes and they can be reused for years.

 

[nsmith]

When I was growing up with 2 sisters and 2 brothers my mom used to wrap just the lids of the boxes. we saved the boxes year to year and ended up with a variety of gift wrapping on our presents. My mom would just go in the attic bring down all the wrapped boxes and fill with our presents.

Of course we usually had Christmas wrapping for our birthday gifts also.

It is more difficult to wrap the lid. But the boxes were staying in our household it was a great time saver in the days before gift bags.

I have used the "funnies" to wrap presents, it is a waste of money and trees to buy and toss all that wrapping paper.

 

[dbarker]

We did this when I was younger. Mom could barely afford presents, let alone wrapping paper. So, she would use newspaper and decorate w/ colorful ribbon. We loved it.

I read somewhere that you can iron the newspaper to set the ink so it won't get on your fingers (I haven't tried this). (??????)

 

[mrsklamc]

It's not particularly Christmasy but I once read the suggestion of wrapping gifts in maps, which are usually free from tourism places. I like the fabric idea too.
I usually just buy ahead on the last year's Christmas clearance--plain red so I can use it all year and have less clutter!

 

[Disneefun]

I don't think using newspaper is a problem (and I like that you're thinking of the environment, because, IMHO, Christmas has become an environmental nightmare, but I digress) but consider that it's difficult to find pieces of the paper (besides the funnies) that aren't a real buzz kill at Christmas. I don't know about your paper, but most of mine headlines the shootings, beatings, killings, political strife, warfare and all bad things. Kind of a downer on Christmas morning. I'd stick with the funnies or the puzzle page (ours also has a kids section once a week), maybe the gardening section or arts page. I'd stay away from the front page, the city page, or the finance pages!

 

[mum4jenn]

I think I have used the comics before years ago when it was for a birthday present for a kid.

I have seen newspaper used before on some of the HGTV shows and other shows from years ago like "Home Show" and such with Gary Collins and Cristina (whatever he last name was).

I think as long as you use very festive ribbons and other decorations it could be cute. I think I even saw people using stamped designs using red and green paint...(the kids did this messy part) Seems like I saw in a craft magazine or maybe it was Family Fun where you make a stamp using a cut potato. You could cut a simple Christmas Tree design or a candy can design and then dip it into the paint.

I prefer gift bags myself but that is just because I HATE to wrap!! Thanks for being eco-friendly!!!

 

[IluvKingLouis]

I'm not very crafty so this idea may be totally off. I'd try shaping the paper like a pouch. Place the gift in the pouch, then brush the outside of the paper with a glossy decoupage finish. It'll stiffin up, keep the ink from transfering on to fingers (etc), and give you a nice glossy finisy.

Then I'd tie the neck with a fancy ribbon (very cheap if you buy them as yardage from Walmart or Joanne's). Maybe put a rubberband around the neck as the pouch is drying to give you a nice tight area to sinch a ribbon around.

Maybe even sprinkle some glitter on the outside while the decoupage finish is wet.

I totally agree with the PP about how much waste there is during the holidays and I too applaud your effort to approach this as an opporturnity to recycle.

 

[grlpwrd]

Well, you're in Hawaii, right? I would think it would be a great idea for ex islanders or people who you know love the islands, but yes, the soy ink does leave a residue. I like when my parents wrap my gifts in Hawaii newspaper, but it does get my fingers all stained.

Besides using brown paper wrapping that you could leave plain or stamp, how about material like how the Japanese wrap for omiyage (souvenir/goodwill/etc gifts) or for seibo (winter gifting).

Maybe go to the swapmeet and get cheap pareau type fabrics and cut them?

GL! I try to "live green," too, and every little bit does help.