Still wrapping gifts, girlfriend?

Just because we might be a procrastinator, doesn’t mean we want our gifts to be any less meaningful and less impressive! We may not be the ‘Martha Stewart‘ of gift wrapping, but that doesn’t mean we can’t share some girlfriend advice on last minute gift wrapping!

Girlfriend gifts are more than just a way to recognize a holiday – they’re the way we celebrate our girlfriends and show them what our friendships mean to them. For meaningful gifts, check out our girlfriend gift ideas and ideas on making your own gifts. Now, we want to make them look as special as our friends deserve – right?!

So, here’s a few Girlfriendology last minute gift wrapping tips: (for Christmas gifts, Hanukkah presents; for girlfriends, sisters, moms, and everyone on our gift lists!)

* Go with a theme - Does she love to travel or is she terrible with directions? Either way, wrap your gift in a map (which, if you buy an atlas book is very inexpensive). Is she a knitter, wrap up her gift in yarn or, for a cook, cover the gift in aluminum foil, waxed paper or colored plastic wrap.

* Get creative - Draw your own! Use the backside of old wrapping paper and decorate it with colorful markers in fun patterns, words and designs. Mix and match various kinds of wrapping paper on the same package. Contrasting designs and colorful ribbons will make this gift stand out and be fun to open! (Note: Kid’s shoe boxes are often great sizes for smaller gifts and are very cute when wrapped.) Or wrap with fabric. You can often find cheap remnants in the back of the fabric store.

* Reusable gift bag - For a little larger gift, purchase a re-usable shopping bag from Trader Joe’s, Reusable Bags, EcoBags or other sources. She’ll appreciate your green gift and be able to use it year round. And, check out these 10 great ideas for green gift wrapping ideas.

* Make the wrapping part of the gift - Scarves are a trendy gift this year, but they’re also a fun, colorful way of wrapping gifts. Wrap up kitchen gifts with a kitchen towel. Try some origami folds on a towel or clothing gift. Or just roll up whatever and tie it with ribbon or yarn.

* Put it in a basket -This is a great way to combine a bunch of little gifts into a big presentable present. Use tissue paper, wrapping paper, colorful plastic wrap, bubble wrap (USPS has colorful varieties!) or newspaper to line the basket then arrange the gifts inside. Add ribbons, tie up in a scarf (part of the gift) or wrap basket in a strand of holiday lights and plug it in under the tree.

* Get copier creative – Create a page of pictures of your friend or any favorite photos. Or design a pattern with words describing them or funny things they’ve done. Just make it all about them! Print out on your own printer or take to a copier store in as large of sheets as you need (and they have – they can be taped together for larger pieces). Make your own wrapping paper and tie up in ribbon or yarn (cheaper than gift wrapping ribbon and lots of colors and styles). You probably won’t need a gift tag – she’ll know it’s for her and from you!

* Work with what you have – Cover a boring gift box with duct tape or packing tape. Add a sprig from a evergreen or holly for decoration. Use scrapbook paper or craft paper to wrap gifts. Add hemp or twine to hold it all together. Tear out colorful magazine ads and use to wrap smaller gifts or wrap up a gift in aluminum foil or bubble wrap. Old, unused wallpaper or grocery bags can be decorated or used as is.

* Look at things differently - Buy a new paint can and fill it with gifts then close the lid and decorate the outside with stickers or your own creation. Recycle other packaging – use an empty cereal box or fill a cleaned-out plastic bottle with a gift (like a necklace or something small to fit) as well as streamers of colorful paper.

* Make your own gift tags - Recycle your old holiday cards by cutting them up to be smaller gift tags. Use paint chips as colorful tags. Print out photos of her and glue/tape them on plain paper to create gift tags.

So, girlfriends – hopefully that helps with your last minute gift wrapping. And, if not, here are more ideas: (because that’s what girlfriends do – we try to help each other with solutions and girlfriend advice!)

Creative Gift Wrap Tips

Cleveland, Ohio (November 2007) – Whether you have time on your side this holiday season or you’re time-starved, the gift wrap experts at American Greetings have a few ideas for prettying up your packages. Start by thinking beyond the box (literally) this Christmas.

Red Envelope gifts for girlfriends

Early-bird Ideas - When you have the time to wrap packages with a special touch, use it to dress up your gifts to ensure that they express the thoughtfulness that went into choosing them. H ere are some ways to add warmth, texture and color to gifts with extra special meaning:

* Christmas coziness – Ribbon and bows are redefined when you turn trendy scarves and mittens into package decorations. New or gently used scarves can act like “ribbon” while mittens and gloves continue the cozy theme as “bows.” The little extras not only make packages special; when combined with recyclable gift wrap from American Greetings, your gift is earth-friendly as well.

* Using gifts as gift wrap – How can you turn a kitchen or entertaining standard like a set of wine glasses or a small appliance into the most intriguing gift under the tree? Wrap it up in a festive tablecloth (affixed with fabric tape) and accessorize with a set of napkins on top. Handmade napkin rings can be easily created from craft materials around your home.

Last-Minute Wrapping Tips – Even when the holidays are fast approaching, there are plenty of last-minute gift wrap solutions that will make it look like your shopping was done with plenty of time to spare.

* Grab a bag, for goodness sake – Gift bags are an easy option for adding style to any present thanks to the finishings and details that make them much more than just a glorified shopping bag. American Greetings gift bags come in every size, shape and color to perfectly fit any gift. Look for extra special touches, like fabric attachments and 3D features, for extra special gifts and recipients, and don’t forget the tissue.

* Fabric and fuzzy fun – If you prefer a less crafty option, an easy way to make your presents look and feel special is to incorporate fabric or textured ribbon. While shopping for wrap this season, stop by the fabric department and pick up a spool of complimentary ribbon. You can also find fun, fuzzy, pipe cleaner-style ribbon, which is easy to work into bows and other creations thanks to its wire core, in the gift wrap aisle.

* When all else fails, reach for plastic – Whether a gift card was carefully selected to reflect the recipient’s favorite store or activity or it was simply the easiest, last-minute option, American Greetings gift card holders couple these popular plastic gifts with more than just “To” and “From” by adding style and a personal message.

Look for American Greetings gift wrap and gift card products at drug stores, grocery stores and super centers nationwide as well as American Greetings and Carlton Cards retail stores.

About American Greetings Corporation: American Greetings Corporation (NYSE: AM) is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of social expressions products and greeting cards. Its product lines include gift wrap, party goods, stationery, calendars, ornaments and electronic greetings. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, American Greetings generates annual net sales of approximately $1.7 billion. For more information on the company, visit http://corporate.americangreetings.com. American Greetings – Creative Gift Wrap Tips.

So, what other girlfriend gift wrapping tips do you have?!

Related articles: Last minute girlfriend gifts, making girlfriend gifts, girlfriend gift directory, green gift wrapping ideas and perfect girlfriend gifts.

Girlfriendology, the online community for women based on girlfriend inspiration, appreciation and celebration Technorati Tags: girlfriendology holidays happy happy+holidays girlfriend+gifts gift+ideas gift+wrap christmas+gifts

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This entry was posted on Tuesday, December 23rd, 2008 at 2:32 pm and is filed under Be a Better FRIEND. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.