Are you sick of Christmas coming around every year and you end up spending a fortune on rolls and rolls of lovely gift wrap? Trust me; you are not alone. I save gift wrap every year and iron it. Seriously. So this year, I decided to share my favourite cheap gift wrapping ideas that will save you a bit of money this festive season.
Crazy Cheap Gift Wrapping Ideas That'll Save You Money!
Fun With Markers:




For this project you will need:
- UniPosca Paint Pens - Gold/White
- A4 Printer Paper (for small gifts obviously) or Light Weight Poster Roll/Red Paper
- Scotch Tape
- Blank gift tags
- Yarn Pom Poms for decoration (to make these, use yarn and a pom pom maker)
It's possible to get large rolls of plain white paper that are quite lightweight; which means it's suitable to use as gift wrap. Unlike the paper rolls you buy in Ikea for kids crafts - the paper is too thick and doesn't wrap well.
You could wrap all of your gifts with poster roll, and if you have a few of these other supplies then you are ready to go for budget gift wrap!
Read on for more!
Learn how to make the decoupage Clay Gift tag here.
Another good idea with markers - store up brown paper from parcels you receive in the post or buy some regular brown paper and a uni posca pen. Anyone can draw an asterisk. Do it! It creates gorgeous gift wrap!

Fun With Dye
If you're a crafter or you happen to have a collection of vintage linen and ribbons, you can use Dylon dye to change the colour and use to decorate gifts.
You Will Need:
- Spoon
- Salt
- Big Bowl/Basin
- Jug/Hot Water
- Vintage Linens/trims (you can usually get good deals on eBay)
- Drying Rack
- Double Sided Scotch Tape
How To:
I used one tablespoon from the dye pack as I wanted my trims to be varying shades of pink.
- Mix the dye according to the package instructions
- Dip the linens and leave for as long as you like, depending on how intense you want the colour to be.
- Leave to dry
- Iron your trims and then use as regular ribbons on your gifts.
You Will Need:
- Stiff Brush
- Plate
How To:
- This is an insanely simple project to recreate. Layout the poster roll and tape down the corners if you need to.
- Mix a bit of red paint with a tiny bit of water. Mix well and load the stiff brush. Then simply hold the brush across your poster paper and tap on the brush or the top of your hand to release the wet paint from the bristles.


I was slightly concerned that it looked a little Dexter-ish when I had finished, but when you wrap up a gift, it looks rather fabulous.

Fun With Potatoes
You Will Need:
- A Potato (or a 'spud' where I'm from)
- Knife (please ask a grown-up for help and grown up's - be careful!)
- Scotch Tape (for when you have to wrap your gifts)
- Plate (for paint)
- Brayer (Not entirely necessary but it helped to distribute the paint on the potato evenly)
How To:
- Cut ¼ off the front of the widest part of the potato. Cut the shape of a triangle and a little rectangle at the bottom. It's very simple to do. Then, carefully use your knife on the side of the potato, to meet the cut lines you just created. We want to cut the excess potato around the Christmas Tree shape.
- Pour a little paint onto your plate and spread around a little. Cover enough so that you can completely cover your shape in paint. Use a brayer to even the paint layer on the potato.
- Start stamping! It doesn't have to be perfect, and it is A LOT of fun. My boyfriend was about to go to work when I was creating this project, and he said: "I wish potato stamping were my full-time job!". It's a great project to do with the kids.
For the cost of one poster roll, some tape, a couple of paint pens, some dye, yarn, old ribbons and paint, you can wrap all of your Christmas gifts this year and possibly next! You will even be able to wrap non Christmas related gifts using the same techniques. The supplies will last and last and will be a more worthy investment than regular Christmas gift wrap.
Do you have any more cheap gift wrap ideas that'll save money this Christmas? Let me know in the comments below!
And Finally
Disclosure of Material Connection: This is a “sponsored post.” The company who sponsored it compensated me via a cash payment, gift, or something else of value to write it. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Angie @ ambient wares
So very beautiful! We can all appreciate cheaper alternatives especially this time of year! Thanks for sharing with us at Funtastic Friday!
Claire Heart Hand Made UK
Thank you so much Angie! I know about Cheaper alternatives, it's crazy how much you can end up spending at Christmas! Thank you for stopping by 🙂