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Three Simple Gift Wrapping Ideas for the Holidays

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It’s my favorite time of the month, time for another edition of International Bloggers Club.  We are a group of friends from all over the world who get together every month to share our projects, compare notes and see how we do things in our corner of the world.  Last month we shared wood projects, and the month before flatlay photos of our favorite things. 

This month, with the holidays right at our doorsteps I am  going to share 3 simple gift wrapping ideas of the holidays. 

three boxes gift wrapped for the holidays, Three simple gift wrapping ideas for the Holidays, www.theboondocksblog.com
Last year I had shared with all of you how Iwrapped my gifts with vintage fabric and I was so proud of myself for not using paper and being so environmentally friendly. 

Well I am here now to tell you, while hanging my head in shame, that I am going to show you how to gift wrap with paper… gasp!!!

Yes, you see last year’s method works great if you already have fabric scraps to spare, but as many of you may know I have recently moved and so I have not managed to hoard much in the way of fabric. 

So paper it must be.  But in my defense, I have a few clever ideas up my sleeve. 

International Bloggers Club Graphic, Three simple gift wrapping ideas for the Holidays, www.theboondocksblog.com
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#1 the musical wrap

The first wrapped gift uses wrapping paper that has musical notes on it.  A simple cream/white background with the black notes. Very neutral and depending on the embellishments it can be dressed up or down.  
musical notes wrapping paper, Three simple gift wrapping ideas for the Holidays, www.theboondocksblog.com
 I wrapped it with twine and added a piece of cardboard that has been painted with chalkboard paint. The chalkboard tag has been clasped on with mini clothespins. 

​My look is very casual country but you can also dress it up with shiny ribbons to make it more glam.  Below are links to the products I’ve used. 

Musical notes paper with chalkboard tag and twine with clothespins, Three simple gift wrapping ideas for the Holidays, www.theboondocksblog.com

#2 the brown paper wrap

This one has a brown paper or stock paper as the wrapping paper. Again another very neutral paper that can be changed depending on the type of embellishments we add. 
brown paper wrapping, Three simple gift wrapping ideas for the Holidays, www.theboondocksblog.com
For the embellishment I used a wooden star I just cut out a hole on the top and painted it white using chalky type paint. You can also see how I turned them into rustic ornaments here. 

And as a bit of a contrast I tied the gift with red and white bakers string.  Now all you need is a sharpie to write the name of the gift receiver. 

Here you can also add fancy ribbons and bows to give it a more high end look.  I am all about simple this year.

bakers twine in red and white and a white wood star, Three simple gift wrapping ideas for the Holidays, www.theboondocksblog.com

#3 the white paper wrap (or reverse of whatever you have)

And this final one is the same musical note paper I used in the first idea,  but I used the reverse side.  Just soft creamy white.  I wrapped it using a jute which is a darker color than the twine above. 
white wrapping paper or reverse of whatever you have, Three simple gift wrapping ideas for the Holidays, www.theboondocksblog.com
And those stockings?  Well if you have a piece of cardboard paper from a box and you pull one side of it back this is what you end up with.  This wavy look that is on the inside of the cardboard  sandwich so to speak. 

All I did was cut them out into these stocking shapes. I really love all that texture on the brown stocking.  I haven’t tried writing on them but you could always add the name onto the white wrapping paper. Or you can add a simple tag. 

Again with this one, you are saving money because you don’t have to buy any more paper and because it’s white, the sky’s the limit!  Pick a color, any color and add bows, ribbons, embellishments, anything that makes your little heart happy!

jute and two stockings made out of cardboard, Three simple gift wrapping ideas for the Holidays, www.theboondocksblog.com

​Three different looks and all very neutral.  I think that you can even use them all year long as long if you change out the add-ons!
three boxes wrapped in various neutral papers. Three simple gift wrapping ideas for the Holidays, www.theboondocksblog.com
While I was photographing these, my daughter caught a glimpse and asked if there was anything in the boxes.  I replied yes, but there are also no names on the tags so she has been thwarted for now!  Ha!
boxes wrapped in neutral papers for the holidays, Three simple gift wrapping ideas for the Holidays, www.theboondocksblog.com
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I may have hung my head in shame but I think I came up with a pretty good solution.  No running around to get different paper for every type of occasion when you can use these three and call it a day – for the whole year!  Three simple gift wrapping ideas for the holidays that will actually get you through the whole year!  You can’t ask for much more than that!  Can I un-hang my head now?

I invite you to hop on over to visit my four friends who are also sharing their gift wrapping ideas.  Simply click on the images below my name.  If you’d like to see more past challenges click here.

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Using neutral wrapping paper you can change the look of your wrapped gifts, #giftwrappingideas #holidaygiftwrapping #neutralgiftwraps Three simple gift wrapping ideas for the Holidays, www.theboondocksblog.com
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Christmas Gift Wrapping:
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  1. Cecilia says:

    Mary, we must be on the same page–I used craft paper with baking paper to wrap my packages too. I also added a sprig of rosemary 😉 Thank you for sharing your lovely ideas a the Rustic & Romantic Creating Christmas party!

  2. I like that these can be used all year long by varying the decorations that are added! Thanks for sharing at The Blogger’s Pit Stop! Roseann from http://www.thisautoimmunelife.com

    • Mary says:

      Thanks Roseann, I am really trying to simplify my life and this way I won’t need twenty different rolls for every occasion.

  3. Debbie says:

    Nice simple but effective ideas for wrapping presents all year round. I like using brown paper and dressing it up with extra colour. Nice to have you here at Blogger’s Pit Stop. Debbie from Deb’s World

  4. Natalie A says:

    These are great wrapping ideas! It’s amazing how something so simple and basic looks so beautiful!

  5. Nice! I hate spending on wrapping paper, so I just wrap stuff in china paper and twine. But now I love the look of brown paper. My kids have a set of Christmas stamps that could liven up the wrapping look. Pinning this! Greetings from the Blogger’s Pit Stop.

    • Mary says:

      Fabiola that is a great idea to use Christmas stamps on them. The brown paper is like a blank canvas.

  6. Debbie says:

    Hi Mary, I bet you feel lost without your back up supplies. I hope it doesn’t take long to build them up a again! I love plain paper tarted up with some nice string or simple ribbon and I always add a liberal dusting of glitter when wrapping too. More to Mums gift as she hates it!
    xx

    • Mary says:

      What is it they say Debbie? “Necessity is the mother of invention?” That’s been my motto lately. I had to laugh about your mum!!

  7. Marie says:

    Well there ya go again with such great ideas! If I could feature you again this week, I would because these are great ideas. Those corrugated cardboard stockings are too stink’n cute! Anyway, I did the next best thing – pinned it and I’ll be sharing it on social media too.

  8. These are such great ideas for wrapping paper! They are so pretty and I like the idea of using what we already have. Thanks for the inspo!

  9. I love all three ideas. I am serious considering my next year’s Christmas theme have natural colors so these are perfect for my gifts. Pin them in my Christmas ideas board 🙂

    • Mary says:

      Thanks Christina. I cannot handle too much color anymore. My space is small and all that color would just look cluttered.

  10. Amber Harrop says:

    Simple but beautiful Mary I love sheet music

    • Mary Kalpos says:

      I was so glad to have stumbled on that one Amber. Waited on line for a full ten minutes just to pay but it was so worth it.

  11. Carmen says:

    I love the brown paper look. I do it every year. I really want to try the music notes but haven’t found the right paper yet. Beautiful pics and ideas. Found you at the Mother2Mother link up!

    • Mary says:

      Carmen I found my music paper at Home Goods but they also have it on Amazon. I think I have a link for it above. I hope you find some it is so versatile.

  12. Nina says:

    Hi Mary – love, love, love these ideas! Found you through this past week’s Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop and Linky Party, and wanted to share your gift wrap ideas with my readers today at Vintage Mama’s Cottage: http://vintagemamascottage.com/2017/12/04/monday-discoveries-favorite-blog-posts/
    I linked back here so my readers can find the tutorial and make their own beautiful gift wrap. Hope to see what you are up to this week at the party! Nina @ Vintage Mama’s Cottage

  13. Julie says:

    Definitely no head hanging required Mary, you’ve come up with 3 lovely ideas. Sometimes less really is more.

  14. Leanna says:

    You picked my three favorite types of wrapping material Mary. They are all plain, elegant, practical and versatile. Love your packages.

  15. Keri Roberts says:

    Mary, I love all of these gift wrapping ideas!! The music paper is beautiful and you’re right it’s perfect for any occasion. The brown paper is always a good choice and I love the bakers twine. Thanks for the great gift wrapping ideas!

  16. Leslie says:

    No worries that those are paper, they’re beautiful! And there’s a reason recycling was invented. Thanks so much for sharing at the #happynowlinkup!

  17. Clever ideas Mary! I really like the look with corrugated cardboard…very unique. Also like the music paper. I would be delighted to receive a gift wrapped in any one of these except I sure wouldn’t want to tear all that lovely paper!

  18. lynn spencer says:

    I love that music paper! In fact, I really like all of them…clever use of corrugated coardboard for cutting the stockings. Thanks for the inspiration my friend.
    Hugs, Lynn

    • Mary says:

      Thank you Lynn. My home is small and I figured this is a great way to minimize all the clutter as well.

  19. Katrin says:

    I think it is totally ok to use paper for little gifts like yours here Mary, like Michelle said, it is biodegradable, so no worries. And your neutral colour palette is right up my alley, so Thank you for these cute ideas!!! Love those booties too 🙂

  20. There is no shame in using paper, especially if it is from a shopping bag or something. And if you do buy gift wrap it is great for decoupage projects. I love all of your suggestions and they work for anytime of year with a change in the tags.

    • Mary says:

      Debra I like your idea about the decoupage. I’ll have to hide that paper from the kids now.;)

  21. Laughing at babas comment! Sounds like me!
    Hope you had a lovely holiday in NY Mary, and wishing you a fabulous Christmas.
    xxz

    • Mary says:

      I love wrapping gifts it appeals to my sense of order in the world. And if I can coordinate each and every one all the better.
      I hope you have a very Merry Christmas down south Doreen!

  22. Nikki Gwin says:

    These are adorable Mary! Pinned.
    🙂 gwingal

  23. You can hold your head up high Mary 😀 Paper is bio-degradable and you didn’t spend a ton of money on it either. Plus you made the cutest little cardboard booties EVER and the gifts are wrapped in love, which is irreplaceable <3

  24. OMG I just love the musical wrap! It would be my theme this year! Thanks Mary you’re the best!

    • Mary says:

      When I spotted it I just grabbed it and even waited 10 minutes at the checkout just so I could buy it. That’s how much I liked it.

  25. Kim says:

    I love your wrapping paper ideas. Those cardboard stockings are brilliant!

  26. gigi says:

    I love just plain brown wrap— I love the natural look! So pretty!

  27. These are all great ideas, Mary! I love a simple wrap myself, and fortunately Dollar Tree sells plain brown craft paper. We get a lot of wind in Seattle, so I also gather fallen evergreen branches to adorn my packages … and everything else! LOL Are you enjoying your new home? Sincerely hope so. Have a great week! Cynthia

    • Mary says:

      Cynthia I really like that idea with the evergreen branches. Wish we had some here.
      I am loving it here in the big apple.

  28. These are great ideas, Mary! I love repurposing things and I literally JUST found the wrapping paper I bought last year and the box of Christmas things I had stored. I think I might turn the paper around… Wrapping presents later this week… On The List. 😉 p.s. Like how you thwarted your daughter!!! He he he!!! 😉

  29. My favorite is the music sheet wrapping paper! I love anything with musical notes. Glad you are in New York for the holidays! Maria

    • Mary says:

      Maria I am so enjoying this time of year here. I can’t wait to go down to Rockefeller center to see the tree. 🙂

  30. Cute ideas! Love the music wrap and cardboard tags. Visiting from Happy Now party.

  31. I love all three ideas! I usually just use gift bags, but every once in a while I get a wild hair 😉 and break out a brown paper bag, then decorate it after the gift is wrapped.
    I’ll let you off the hook this time Mary because they all turned out so pretty. You can unhang that head, no shame. Lol

    • Mary says:

      I try never to use gift bags. I like to get all creative with the paper and embellishments.
      And head held high again! 😀

  32. baba says:

    Mary i love your ideas. But that is still too much work for me. My idea of gift wrapping is a gift bag. I don’t like wrapping presents

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