How to Save Money on Christmas Gift Wrap

There is no doubt that Christmas gift wrap can be a significant holiday expense. Use these tips to cut down on the cost, yet still wrap holiday presents in a festive way.

Reuse Wrapping Paper

Take advantage of the second principle in the Reduce, Reuse, Recycle mantra. Christmas wrapping paper and gifts bags lend themselves perfectly to reusability. Everyone knows someone who painstakingly saves every scrap of wrapping paper that comes their way. While you may not want to be this extreme, it's still a good idea to save a few, choice, larger pieces of Christmas gift wrap for the next holiday. Neatly fold saved wrapping paper and quality holiday gift bags to store in a container set aside for this purpose.

Shop Post-Holiday Clearance Sales for Gift Wrap

To get new rolls of Christmas gift wrap and holiday gift bags at the lowest cost, shop for next year's wrappings immediately after Christmas. Stores slash prices on these holiday staples, so brave the post-Christmas crowds and stock up on wrapping paper for the following year.

Get Creative with Christmas Gift Wrap

Forget shopping for gift wrap at department stores, look into some alternative ideas for wrapping presents. Use beautiful, holiday fabric purchased on sale. Trim the packages with ribbon bought in a fabric or craft store. Craft stores typically sell ribbon by the yard, so you can get exactly what you need without having to purchase an entire roll. Or, wrap a kitchen-themed present in a holiday hand towel. Wrap a country music CD in a bandana tied with twine. Get creative and look for interesting Christmas gift wrap ideas everywhere.

Repurpose Other Recyclable Materials for Christmas Gift Wrap

Everyone knows that the Sunday paper funnies section makes a great gift wrap alternative, but it's possible to use other recyclable materials for Christmas gift wrap, as well. For small packages, use an attractive page from a holiday-themed magazine. Or, use an old piece of sheet music with a red ribbon for contrast. Give the kids some markers, paints and crayons to turn those long strips of brown packaging paper into decorative Christmas paper.

Christmas wrapping paper doesn't have to be an additional holiday expense. Keep costs down by recycling, reusing and getting creative with gift wrap supplies that are on hand. Or, stock up by shopping clearance sales and be ready to wrap gifts inexpensively next Christmas.