How to Make a Bow from Wrapping Paper - Reuse Leftover Paper and have Fun

Instead of throwing out those smaller bits of wrapping paper from Christmas, birthdays or whatever the occasion, why not make an awesome bow with paper?

You know those bits that are not enough to wrap a gift, so they tend to get tossed?  Keep them out of the garbage and check these bow making ideas out.

Check out the video below, and as I have made these, the only advice I have that the person doesn't mention is that you cut each strip of paper slightly shorter than the one before so that they fit well when making the 3D bow.

What you will Need:

Various squares of wrapping paper, and some clear tape.

How to Make Bows out of Wrapping Paper

This is an awesome way to use of wrapping paper.  Make sure to save your smaller pieces of Christmas paper for next season so you can adorn your gifts with these homemade paper bows.

I had no idea how easy they were to make, and I was always buying them for my gifts at birthdays and the holidays.

If you love this idea of making bows from leftover wrapping paper or even magazine pages, and want something a little bit more 3D, then check out the video below for a bit more intricate craft of making bows.  These ones have that spiky look and add a lot of interest to your gift.  They could also be strung up to use as tree decorations at the holidays.

These are really cool using not only leftover wrapping paper but magazine pages too.  What an awesome way to re-purpose paper.

So, next time you are purchasing paper, don't get the bows!  They are expensive and you can make your very own.

How to Make Bows from Ribbon

If you say "hey yes this is fun, but I also have lots of leftover ribbon", then check out this bow maker you can get online for making super awesome ribbon bows.

Hand Bow Maker

There has been a lot of good reviews for this tool. If you want to make a lot of bows, this tool would help to speed it up.

If you are in reduce, reuse, recycle mode, then even consider leftover strips of fabrics to create these one of a kind bows to add to your gifts.

So there you have it... 3 ways to make a bow from wrapping paper, magazine pages or ribbon.

Don't throw those smaller pieces of wrapping paper out.  Save them, even flatten them if they are the discarded pieces from gift opening and place them between heavy books to flatten them out.

Save them in a drawer or an envelope and you are ready to quickly put some bows together.

Have fun!

Cheap Christmas Gifts Under 5 Bucks - Last Minute Even No Minute Ideas - When the Stores Are Closed

There are many reasons why you may not have done your Christmas Shopping on time this year.  Everything from health to money to time.  Either way, if you still want to get something for someone special and time and funds are super low, here are a few ideas to do NOW

Cheap Christmas Gifts in Price Only - 5 Bucks or less! 5 Ideas

1.  Printable Art - This is the perfect gift for anyone who loves art on your list.  This is not an original but if you have a decent computer and printer, you can simply purchase the print as a jpeg and print it out on your own printer.   Check out Printable Art by Diane

Downloadables and printables are hot this year on ETSY.  You can place it in an envelope with a piece of cardboard for backing and protection and/or decorate the envelope.  This site has printable inspirational art, which most people would love.   If you have an old frame laying around, frame it, otherwise just give them the print.

For 5 Bucks (and that is Canadian Price so US will be cheaper!).  If you don't have a decent printer, but you have a data stick.  You could give them the stick with a bow on it for them to get printed.  There are many ways to give the gift of art.

2.  Book of Favors - Think of things this person would enjoy.  Do they need a babysitter?  Could they use help with housework?  Washing their car? Maybe a lunch date on you?

Create a book of favors they can use anytime during the year.  This was a gift I received from my daughter once and super enjoy it.  The cost is literally nothing but some arts and crafts supplies you have to create a cute looking tear out book.  Don't just say you will do things for them, by having a favor book to give them, it is something physical and something they are more likely to cash in.

3.  Home Baked Goods - If you are handy in the kitchen and have some basic ingredients, then bake them a batch of cookies and add your book of favors to it, or the art print.

 4.  Online Gift Card - If it is to late to run to the store for a gift card (many corner stores will carry a rack of gift cards) then check online.  Most people are familiar now with online shopping, and even if all you can afford is 5 bucks, no problem.  Get a AMAZON GIFT CARD and let them put your gift towards anything they want.

5.  Re-Gift - Do you have a book you have just read still in perfect condition?  A gift you never used? A scarf? Anything still in A1 condition?  Then clean it up, super inspect it, and wrap it up if you think this is something your person would like.  Nothing wrong with recycling.  This way you do not show up empty handed!