Another interesting article from Cindy's porch!

Hands up! Who has found themselves on Christmas Eve frantically
searching for the roll of tape to finish wrapping up the gifts for
under the tree? Have you ever tried wrapping a gift while driving on
a highway to the grandparent's home? Have you ever resorted to using
a black garbage bag with a big red bow because there simply wasn't
enough paper left to wrap the gift? LOL – been there, done that!

Have you ever thought about how much it costs to wrap each gift??
Depending on the type of paper you choose and how fancy the bow is,
the cost can quickly approach $5.00 - $10.00 per gift. YIKES!

The "Everything You Think You Need for the Holidays" checklist is
still posted on our Cash Christmas Headquarters Page
http://www.cindysporch.net/pages/cchead.shtml

Go through the part that deals with wrapping gifts and shipping
gifts. I found out that the only thing I have to buy this year is a
roll of tape ($2.00). We have enough other stuff in our home to get
those gifts "under wrap" LOL!

Some tips to cutting down on the cost of wrapping (and shipping),
getting the kids involved, getting it done, and having fun all at the
same time……………….Enjoy!

SHOP at home FIRST:
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1) Hunt down all those bits and pieces of wrapping paper, gift bags,
tissue, bows, ribbons, and tape. Put them together in a cardboard box
or plastic storage tote. This is going to be wrapping central for the
next few weeks. Remember to keep a couple pairs of scissors handy.

2)Use up extra holiday tins, baskets, or other holiday boxes that you
have collected over the years (imagine all the space you are going to
have - big smile!).

3)This tip came in from a reader: put together all those leftover
Christmas cards from previous years. You may find out you have enough
to send to family and friends for the next couple of years. Who says
all the cards have to match?

DO instead of BUY:
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Look around your home for other stuff that you can
use to wrap those gifts this year. Be creative..…

1)We have a huge roll of white paper that the kids are welcome to use
to wrap any gift (including birthday presents). They then use
construction paper, felt pens, streamers, stickers, sprinkles, and
whatever else they can find in the craft boxes to finish their parcel
off. The results have been amazing. This is a great activity to do on
those snowy Saturday afternoons when there is nothing else to do.

2)One year my sister-in-law made several re-usable holiday gift bags
with bright Christmas fabric. I make sure I dig these out and use
them for the gifts that need to be shipped. Take a peek in your
fabric stash. Even if you don't have time to sew up gift bags, you
can still use that holiday fabric that has been sitting in your
closet for the past five years.

3)Consider using brown paper bags or newspaper. "Huh?" Yup, some of
those flyers we getting now make great wrapping paper, especially the
ones printed on glossy paper. Even the black and white classified
sections look neat when you add a bright red bow!

4)Make use of those craft supplies that you have collected throughout
the year. Especially those of you who have stamping and scrap booking
supplies. It is so easy to overstock. Use the things you have already
paid for.

5)I have watched holiday craft shows on TV where they used wallpaper
from sample books to make the most amazing gift wrap for presents.

6)How about using a holiday vinyl tablecloth? Some of these have the
most beautiful prints on them. Plus they are huge. And as an added
bonus, they are quite cheap!

7)And don't underestimate the black garbage bag. Add some red and
green streamers or ribbons and you have the makings a very modern
look to your holiday gifts LOL!

8)Make your own gift tags. Again, those of you who have stamping
supplies will be able to create some really cute tags. I use the
software I have on my computer to make our tags and the kids draw
their own. You may even want to cut the covers off of last year's
Christmas cards to make tags for this year.

9)Use some of those duplicate photos of your family to make very
personal gift tags. These are the hidden treasures that make holidays
special!

10)Look online at some of the wonderful Holiday craft websites that
are available. Many of them have instructions on how to make your own
gift bag, gift boxes, cards, etc.

11)You don't have bows? How about using a candy cane or a small bag
of red and green jelly beans to top off the gift? Yarn perhaps? The
list is endless!

Do Not Procrastinate (a teeny variation on my third rule LOL)
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1)Take advantage of free gift wrapping from the store. The job is
done and it didn't cost you a thing. (Yeah, I know, the cost was
built into the cost of the item.)

2)Wrap the gifts up as soon as you get home. I am not good at this,
but if you can, this is a great way to ensure that Christmas Eve will
be spent with your family and not with a roll of tape and scissors!

3)Set aside a day each week where you take care of any gifts that
have been purchased during the week. Perhaps on a Friday night?

4)Have a "wrapping party." You can do this with kids on the weekend,
with friends or family during the school day, or with your spouse in
the evening after the kids have gone to bed (that's what we do).
Include a glass of wine, hot chocolate, or other special drink, some
holiday treats, and a few Christmas carols. Voila! Wrapping gifts is
now something to look forward to instead of dread!

5)Ship parcels and letters early to avoid "overnight" or expedited
shipping rates.

A few more wrapping and shipping hints:
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1)Use a little sticky to write down what is inside the wrapped gift.
Sometimes it is hard to remember what you purchased for people and
you end up re-shopping and re-wrapping.

2)Remember to write down where you hid the stash of gifts (regardless
of whether they are wrapped or not).

3)Does the shipping cost more than the gift itself? This tip came in
from a reader… purchase gift certificates instead. Shipping is only
the cost of the stamp. In fact, the hand-written letter that is
enclosed with the certificate is going to be more special than the
gift itself.

Take care of you,
Cindy

PS: This is a biggie! This is one downfall to getting your shopping
and your wrapping done early. Ignore these words when they pop into
your head "I wonder if I bought enough?" Have confidence in the gift
list that you made. When you are done shopping, celebrate! Now it is
time to enjoy and DO the holidays. Plan the things that you want to
DO with your family that makes the holidays special. Don't let the
advertisers or marketers talk you into buying "just one more thing."
Because before you know it, that "one thing" for one person,
becomes "one more thing" for the next person, and then you are caught
shopping for a whole new round of gifts for everyone. SIGH – been
there, done that.

DO the holidays, don't BUY the holidays.