Back away from the rack of seasonal gift bags. Sarah Humphreys, editor-in-chief of “Blueprint” magazine, provides crafty packaging ideas — as featured in the November/December issue — that will make your presents felt at the holidays ... and at birthdays, weddings and showers all year long. Discover foolproof gift wrapping:
Tie one onIf it's the thought that counts, what does a slapped-on peel-and-stick curlicue ribbon convey? You can easily make package toppers that feel much less perfunctory and predictable than a store-bought bow. Grab beads, blossoms, bells, or other bling from a crafts store and knot one piece at a time onto embroidery floss or thin ribbon.
To make it truly personal, spell out a giftee's name with charms, or turn a locket into a gift tag (cut dark paper to fit inside, and write your message with a gel pen). These little touches have a big impact, which means you can keep the rest of the package simple. To dress up a gift tube (which is a nice way to bestow a holiday gratuity), we just taped a strip of pretty paper around the belly.
Time-saving tipA good time-saver is to wrap all your gifts in similar paper, then add flourishes that reflect each recipient's personality.
Ink for yourself
Dancing Santas not your style? Custom-print your own wrapping paper using plain old rubber stamps. For a look that's contemporary, not scrapbook-y, stick to clean graphic shapes and patterns, and press beyond common color combos: Try celery ink on olive paper, or shimmery gold on natural craft paper. You can also stamp names in block letters (or write them with a matching gel pen).Blueprint wrapping paper Our first gift to you: This stack of spirited wrapping paper — designed by Blueprint, and not sold in stores. Just print out one — or all — of the five patterns (11-by-17-inch paper works best).Wrapping paper how-toOur custom papers are meant to be combined (as we did above) or used separately with other things you have around the house. Feel free to mix and match as you like. If you like the look of our set, here's how we did it:
Sparkles will fly: The five-minute projects include gluing metallic discs to the top of a plain brown parcel, or carefully sandwiching loose neon confetti between layers of white tissue paper so it jumps out when torn open (we stuck a few stray pieces on top, too). More shining examples: Swap ribbon for sequined string, or drag a glue stick across a package and pepper it with complementary confetti.
Stick to it: Bright stripes revive even your lamest wrap attempt much better than a sad pile of scissor-curled ribbon. Use fluorescent artist's tape or plastic lacing (that stuff you braided into key chains during recess). Colors really sizzle when they're contrasted against paper in a rich, muted shade, like brown or mustard, or a more organic texture, such as a marbled pattern. Tiny cards with matching envelopes make nice gift tags, or you can multipurpose some mini Post-its for a neat postmodern touch.
For more great holiday tips and suggestions, visit “