| Pretty Packages | | | | sparkle and dazzle with sequins. Use |
| Gifts trimmed with flair by: Maddylane | | | | by-the-yard sequins as you would |
| Designs | | | | ribbons. Double rows of brightly |
| Skill: Easy. | | | | coloured sequins look spectacular onto |
| Materials & tools: | | | | plain silver-wrapped gifts. Further |
| Assorted paper remnants, rice paper, | | | | embellish by randomly gluing individual |
| plain coloured papers | | | | sequins on wrapped presents. |
| Scissors | | | | Quilling for snowman: Quilling, also |
| Glue gun and sticks | | | | known as paper filigree, is the art of |
| Double-face tape and regular adhesive | | | | rolling thin strips of paper into |
| tape | | | | different shapes and using the shapes to |
| Ribbons in assorted colours, widths and | | | | form designs. Quilling papers comes in |
| styles | | | | packages of assorted colours. Creative |
| Assorted findings: custom jewellery, | | | | accents, such as plain snowman shapes or |
| belt buckles, quilling paper strips, | | | | monograms, can be crafted to garnish |
| feathers, sequins, tinsel garland, wire, | | | | plainly wrapped boxes. Affix designs to |
| beads etc. | | | | gifts using double-face tape. You can |
| Fabric remnants, fun fur, taffeta, fuzzy | | | | even apply the papers in flat strips or |
| wool, scrapbooking tools, snowflake | | | | fashion a checked pattern. Simple swirls |
| punch, decorative edge scissors, hang | | | | make wonderful gift garnishes. |
| tags, rub-on lettering | | | | Cut-it-out with paper snowflakes: So |
| Also see each gift wrapping description. | | | | easy to make and yet so enchanting. They |
| (Materials for this project are | | | | make magical trimmings onto gifts, in |
| available at arts and craft stores.) | | | | assorted sizes. Just cut snowflake |
| My favourite part of the holidays is | | | | shapes using scissors with folded plain |
| wrapping the gifts. It is the perfect | | | | or assorted types of recycled papers. |
| occasion to use up many remnants from | | | | You can even have the kids help you out |
| various projects and to let my | | | | with this one. Paper garlands can be |
| creativity run loose, just for fun. | | | | quite stunning too. |
| Since my wrapping room is shared with | | | | Punched snowflakes: Paper punches with |
| the laundry room, it is a sure place to | | | | holiday designs are wonderful to use and |
| find some peace of mind during all the | | | | incorporate into gift trimming. Using a |
| craziness of the holidays. | | | | snowflake design punch and assorted |
| Minimalist with a touch of Ritz, great | | | | papers, from velum to silver, punch out |
| gift wrapping ideas start with cool | | | | snowflake shapes and glue them onto |
| findings. The secret to achieve the look | | | | gifts, ribbons and cards, in a row or |
| of these French bonbon gift wrappings is | | | | randomly. I even used the punched out |
| all in the trimmings. Personalized to | | | | negative to make decorative bands around |
| make an impact, even simple gifts can | | | | gift boxes, and trimmed the edges with |
| look elegant with a little accent. Don't | | | | decorative scissors. |
| be afraid to extend the colour palette | | | | Monograms letters: Letters, initials |
| beyond the traditional; it's all good | | | | make delightful gift topping accents and |
| because, really, anything goes. Even | | | | can be shaped with wire of various |
| though I used assorted colour | | | | colours or beaded wires. |
| combinations of bright turquoise, greens | | | | Fabric remnants: Excellent for wrapping |
| and blues with soft pastels amidst | | | | larger gifts, and to use up fabrics that |
| accents of silver, angelic whites and | | | | you know you won't use within the next |
| chocolate brown, the theme is what | | | | year or so. I utilized fun-fur remnants |
| brings everything together. | | | | to make a snowman decoration onto a |
| Fuzzy wool for a cozy warm feeling: | | | | larger gift box. |
| Super easy yet stylish. Once a gift is | | | | Hang-tags embellished with rub-on decal |
| wrapped, affix one or two ribbons around | | | | lettering, clip art, micro beads and |
| the box and then wrap a few lengths of | | | | photos of the gift recipient also make |
| fuzzy wool as decorative trim around the | | | | fantastic gift trimmings. |
| package. Assorted fancy yarns provide an | | | | Get wrapping and happy trimmings! |
| inexpensive and chic way to dress up | | | | Tips: For all gifts wrapped using |
| bonbon or cracker-shaped gifts. | | | | fabrics, make sure to iron out any |
| Rows of ribbons: Create basic plaid | | | | creases out first and wrap the gifts as |
| patterns using satin, grosgrain and | | | | you would with paper wrapping. Use hot |
| velvet types of ribbons in assorted | | | | glue to secure the folds instead of |
| colours and widths over a tissue-paper | | | | tape. |
| wrapped gift. Garnish with dash of white | | | | Variations: Other creative gift |
| tinsel garland. A length of wide satin | | | | wrappings include holiday dishtowels, |
| ribbon looks stunning when applied over | | | | table cloths, fabrics, and wallpaper. |
| the centre of larger gifts and plain | | | | Or, you can opt to make the wrapping |
| paper bags. Secure the ribbons at the | | | | part of the gifts using a variety of |
| back of a package using hot glue. Wide | | | | household and clothing items. |
| ribbons can also be adorned with lengths | | | | Older Christmas tree ornaments that you |
| of fuzzy wool. | | | | are no longer using also make fun gift |
| Bejewel using recycled jewellery and | | | | toppings. |
| belt buckles: Recycle odds and ends | | | | Don't be bashful to use colours such as |
| jewellery pieces, earrings, and charms. | | | | lime green, hot pink, bright orange, |
| Glue these onto a ribbon to create an | | | | mauves, vibrant turquoise and blue; They |
| elegant centre ornament. Paint plain or | | | | are very "in" and trendy colours this |
| wooden buckles silver or gold (or any | | | | season. |
| colour) and fasten a length of ribbon | | | | Pretty packages can be integrated into |
| around a fabric-wrapped gift. Top it all | | | | your table decorations, to grace a |
| off with a single feather. | | | | mantel, or even used outdoors. Double |
| Dazzling with sequins: Make your gifts | | | | them up and use as name card holders. |