When you think of great gift packaging, you know you can always find some zippy design at your local paper or packaging store and you probably know you can expect to pay a pretty penny for the good ones.
You will also probably find that you can't quite find the right design, and you still struggle to come up with ideas to personalize that special gift! After you go through all the trouble to find the perfect gift, you want the presentation of it to be just as special.
Creating the perfect packaging is easier than you think and the best part is that you make up all the rules.
There are so many creative ways to dress up a gift package and make it your own and we have a few tricks we've used over the years to share with you!
1. Bulk void fill
Yes, it's your basic construction paper consistency butcher wrapper void fill that we've used in our example here. We find it to have a fabulous natural texture (and of course made from recycled materials) that gives any package an earthy feel. We grabbed a pretty weed from the back yard to introduce some drama and zipped a fresh yellow ribbon on it. Simple and elegant with little frill but big impact is what you get.
What a simple, cost effective way to make your package stand out! Expand on the idea by painting, stamping, adding decoupage, images, or anything else you like!
2. Painters paper
For years this has been my personal favorite and as all the recipients of my gifts would tell you, mine is picked out and identified every time. Not because it's a better gift, but because the packaging is just so clever and the extra effort goes a long way to show thoughtfulness.
Painter's paper can be picked up at your local hardware store in the paint section and comes in two colors; natural beige and a soft sage color. Both are great backgrounds for any accessory you choose to add.
Grab a beautiful flower or cluster of flowers with greenery for the top. Create an amazing bow out of ribbon, raffia or any other material you can imagine and put a dramatic laurel leaf or cluster of grass wheat from the yard...the possibilities are endless!
3. Fabric or cloth
If you're like most of us, you've been guilty of picking up a yard or two of fabric because you were drawn to it. It now sits with the rest of that pile in a drawer and you know you have grand plans; but there it sits!
Use your special fabric to wrap your gift and add a simple element that compliments the pattern. OR, use a solid wrap, and create a bow or ribbon or even a gift card from the fabric you love. Either way, the receiver of your gift will appreciate the extra care, and will remember your packaging perhaps longer than the gift inside for years to come!
| 
