date stamp gift wrap

Happy New Year!  Another year of merriment has begun!  There are many special dates to celebrate this year: birthdays, anniversaries, and of course, all of our favorite holidays.

Excited for what’s to come in 2011, I’ve moved the year forward on my printy-dater as you probably have on yours, too.  I figured, why not commemorate our most special occasions this coming year with date-stamped gifts?

There will be lots of gift-giving in store this year, so wrap those gifts in these very custom, personal gift wrap stamped with the celebrant’s or occasion’s special date.  I’ve made some samples to show you just how charming date-stamped gift wrap could be.  Even on very modest kraft paper (I picked up a generous 12-ft roll for $1 at the dollar store), patterns like stripes, grid, blooms, and herringbone look very well put together.

I have to admit, the fussiest pattern is the herringbone, so you have to give yourself time when creating it.  I lightly drew 3/4″ x 1/4″ guides with pencil just to be sure I kept my printy-dater aligned.  The simpler patterns are the grid (I drew 1″ square guides), stripes (lines are 2″ apart), and the blooms (which I stamped on randomly).  Just one tip: use the index finger of your opposite hand to press the foot of the printy-dater to keep it in place when stamping.

Of course, the fun part is you can make any pattern on any type of paper you choose.  Enjoy all the wonderful days to come in 2011!

creative gift wrapping: spooled package

One of the simplest ways to wrap a gift is to create an envelope.  The spools are both a unique and functional element to this inventive gift packaging.  Ideal for boxes less than 2″ deep.

1. Cut your gift wrap with an additional 1-1/2″ on each side of the box.  Make sure the you can fold the gift wrap twice around your box.

2. Using double-sided tape, fold and adhere the bottom third of your gift wrap.  Insert the box.

3. Fold a triangle on the top  third.

4. Using circle punches and hole punches, punch two large circles and two small circles with a hole punched in the middle.  Adhere the smaller circle on the large circle.

5. Using mounting tape, adhere a 12″ length of ribbon onto the back of only one of the circles.

6. Adhere the circles as shown and spool ribbon to close.

creative gift wrapping: pleated gift bag

Make this striking gift bag by folding pleats on gift wrap.  You will need ribbon, a thin sheet of cardboard and good quality double-sided tape.

1. Take a full width of gift wrap and cut to approximately 18″ long.  Find the center and make creases about 2″ apart to center the pattern.

2. To the left of the centered pattern, fold under and over to create 1/2″ pleats.

3. Repeat to the right of the pattern.

4. Turn over.  Using double-sided tape, adhere a thin sheet of cardboard or chip board along the center to create a base.  You can make the base as wide as you want.  Place double-sided along both edges of the base as well as both edges of the wrap on one side.

5. Fold, adhere, and shape into a flat-bottomed fan.

6. Tape ribbon along the inside edges for use as handles.

7. Your pleated gift bag is ready to fill!

creative gift wrapping: lace-up tube

A great gift wrap for her.  Fill with a scarf, pashmina, blouse, or some hot, sexy lingerie.  All you will need is a mailing tube, a red paper doily, and black satin ribbon.

1. Cut a mailing tube to the length of your gift.  Fill and close.

2. Lace ribbon through paper doily.

creative gift wrapping: recessed monogram

In addition to gift wrap and scissors, you will need a pencil, a printed letter stencil, a craft knife, and mounting tape.

1. Wrap your gift without using any tape, making sure to center your pattern on the top of the box.

2. Unwrap and turn over.  Using a pencil, stencil the mirror image of the letter in the center of the area that is designated as the top of your box.

3. Using a craft knife, carefully cut out the letter.

4. Adhere mounting tape along the edge of the letter.  I used two layers of mounting tape to give a more recessed illusion.

5. Carefully align and adhere the top of the box to the designated area.

6. Wrap the gift completely.

 Tip: You will be left with a letter cut out of gift wrap.  Use this letter to monogram the card envelope or to make a greeting card.  A great match to the boxed gift.

creative gift wrapping

If you’re looking to wrap your holiday presents in unique and, importantly, achievable ways, look no further.  I’ve been compiling a few of my gift wrapping ideas — none of which require the dexterity of an origami aficionado, as some other ideas out there may oblige.

Starting today and over the next few days, I will post the full photos and tutorials on each of the above:

Recessed Monogram

Lace-up Tube

Pleated Gift Bag

Spooled Package

Enjoy your holiday shopping and gift wrapping this weekend!

*Edit: I hope you’ve all had a great weekend of gift wrapping.  To sum up the past four days, I’ve provided the link to each individual post directly from here.  Just click one of the gift wrap ideas listed above to go directly to that tutorial.*

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