The Only Wrapping Paper You'll Ever Need

If you know me well (or have been following this blog long enough), you know I like simple, inexpensive, pragmatic solutions for life.  I get even more excited if said solution gets my kids involved.

So without further ado, let me introduce to the only wrapping paper you’ll ever need.

For gifts from the kids, I wrap the gift and then let the kids decorate it with markers, crayons, stickers, stamps, and/or glitter paint. (Ok, glitter paint only happens when I’m in a really good mood.) We make sure we write who it’s to and from, and then we don’t even need to include a card.

For more mature and stylish looking gifts, I wrap the gift and then add a pretty ribbon. Fabric ribbons are a nice touch but I’ve used basic curling ribbon in a pinch more times than I would care to admit.

One year, we made all of our own Christmas paper by rolling it out and stamping it with big, foam Christmas stamps.  Can you believe I don’t have any pictures to share?  Feel free to pick your jaw off the ground whenever you’re ready.

You can, of course, also use the paper for that which it was actually intended…wrapping packages for mailing.  We do plenty of that, too, with the occasional Ebay sell and lots of out-of-town family.

I just realized I can buy it from Amazon.com for a great price (truth be told…I would probably pay twice this much just so I wouldn’t have to take three kids into a store with me) and free shipping since I’m an Amazon Prime* member.  For under $10, I’ll have a brand-spanking-new roll delivered to my door in 48 hours.  If you’re more adventurous than me, I’ve also found it at office stores and…drum roll…the dollar store!

*If you’ve never heard of Amazon Prime and/or you’re a mom and/or you live in the middle of nowhere and/or you’re addicted to online shopping, you need to go to Amazon Prime and sign up NOW.  Please.  You can thank me later.  What’s the big deal you may ask?  FREE two-day shipping, no minimum purchase for a year for $80.  Now $80 may sound like a lot until you know that you can split your Prime membership across as many as 5 Amazon accounts.  I did the math for you…that’s only $16/year for FREE two-day shipping on anything Amazon sells (not things from the Amazon marketplace).  Let me tell you, Amazon sells A LOT.  No, they’re paying me to market for them.  I’m just a little addicted to having things arrive for no shipping at my house in 48 hours.  I’ve ordered everything from toys to crock pot liners to Gorilla glue. Totally worth it…if you ask me.