Christmas is just around the corner and it's time to start thinking about gift purchasing, wrapping and sending. *knowgirl Jess already identified some sweet gifts to get for your favorite friend, niece or significant other, but now it's time to start thinking about how to make that gift look pretty under the tree!
One of the items that is always annoying to me to buy is the gift tag. It's such a neccessary item and yet, it seems like such a waste of money. I try and pick them up at the end of the Christmas season and stock them up for next year, but it's annoying to store them year round. Last year I even got 'reusable' ones and 'saved' the gift tags - Economical? Yes. Environmentally friendly? Yes. Practical? No.
Here are some practical ideas to make you're gifts look awesome, but spend little time, money, or storage space.
One of the items that is always annoying to me to buy is the gift tag. It's such a neccessary item and yet, it seems like such a waste of money. I try and pick them up at the end of the Christmas season and stock them up for next year, but it's annoying to store them year round. Last year I even got 'reusable' ones and 'saved' the gift tags - Economical? Yes. Environmentally friendly? Yes. Practical? No.
Here are some practical ideas to make you're gifts look awesome, but spend little time, money, or storage space.
1. Reuse Old Christmas Cards
My grandmother always uses cut-out Christmas cards she received from friends as free Christmas gift tags for the next year. This is an awesome idea if you're still receiving a lot of christmas cards (mine are mostly e-cards, but hey, that's environmentally friendly too!) Check out [Amy's] Craft Shenanigans great tutorial for this re-purposed gift tag!
My grandmother always uses cut-out Christmas cards she received from friends as free Christmas gift tags for the next year. This is an awesome idea if you're still receiving a lot of christmas cards (mine are mostly e-cards, but hey, that's environmentally friendly too!) Check out [Amy's] Craft Shenanigans great tutorial for this re-purposed gift tag!
2. Download Free Printable Gift Tags
Just do a quick Google Image search for 'free printable gift tags' and you will finds thousands, if not millions, of hits! This is a great way to print JUST THE AMOUNT of tags you need and save a few bucks. This is also fantastic for those of us who like to have 'themes' or color schemes for their gifts as most of these tags allow for customization. For example the image -----> is from Simple As That where Rebecca has created retro inspired gift tags available in blue, chalkboard and red.
There are also several other options (selected by yours truly) below that represent my transitional style. These designs (from left to right) were created by Sass & Peril,Jones Design Company, and Design Coral.
Just do a quick Google Image search for 'free printable gift tags' and you will finds thousands, if not millions, of hits! This is a great way to print JUST THE AMOUNT of tags you need and save a few bucks. This is also fantastic for those of us who like to have 'themes' or color schemes for their gifts as most of these tags allow for customization. For example the image -----> is from Simple As That where Rebecca has created retro inspired gift tags available in blue, chalkboard and red.
There are also several other options (selected by yours truly) below that represent my transitional style. These designs (from left to right) were created by Sass & Peril,Jones Design Company, and Design Coral.
3. Stamp It
I got into stamping a while back and would highly recommend to anyone interested in DIY that you get yourself a few sets of great stamps! Why not use this as your first opportunity to buy some stamps to craft yourself to new holiday gift tags! Calm Cradle Photo and Design and Fancy Melissa have some great tutorials for how to create your own, unique, gift tags! I love this idea because you can truly customize your free gift tags!
I got into stamping a while back and would highly recommend to anyone interested in DIY that you get yourself a few sets of great stamps! Why not use this as your first opportunity to buy some stamps to craft yourself to new holiday gift tags! Calm Cradle Photo and Design and Fancy Melissa have some great tutorials for how to create your own, unique, gift tags! I love this idea because you can truly customize your free gift tags!
4. Stitch it
If you're good at sewing why not try your way at sewing your own holiday tags to add a little more design to your wrapping? There is a great tutorial for these beauties at Miniature Rhino (left) and A Pumpkin and a Princess (right) - so check them out!
If you're good at sewing why not try your way at sewing your own holiday tags to add a little more design to your wrapping? There is a great tutorial for these beauties at Miniature Rhino (left) and A Pumpkin and a Princess (right) - so check them out!
5. Make it Reusable and Recyclable with Cork
Cork is a very sustainable material so why not reuse some cork for a gift tag! Merry Thought has an outstanding tutorial on how to create a cork and canvas gift tags. I love this concept because it uses a highly sustainable material which is great - since we wrap all of our presents in paper that is rarely recycled! This is a nice fresh take on sustainability and gift giving!
Cork is a very sustainable material so why not reuse some cork for a gift tag! Merry Thought has an outstanding tutorial on how to create a cork and canvas gift tags. I love this concept because it uses a highly sustainable material which is great - since we wrap all of our presents in paper that is rarely recycled! This is a nice fresh take on sustainability and gift giving!
So, what type of gift tag gets you excited for the pending holiday season? Let me know and share your ideas! Can't wait to see what you do!
*Knowgirl Scarlett
*Knowgirl Scarlett