Paper Bag Wrapping Paper

I thought I'd share with you this simple idea for re-use friendly gift wrap.  I did this little wrapping project over the holidays, but it could be used for any time of the year.  I wrapped presents using old paper bags.  I simply cut them up, folded them flat, and used scotch tape for wrapping.  It did take a little more tape than usual because the bag paper is thick.

Since all the gifts were for one person--they were small items--I cut out numbers instead of labels.  I used red scrap paper, punched a hole, and put them through the ribbons for color.  You could also do letters for initials, or shapes, or who knows what else.  I cut them freehand, but you could also buy large stencils at any craft store. 

Handmade Gifts for Men

After yesterday's post, I got to thinking about how difficult it is to come up with appropriate handmade gifts for men. A lot of the handmade items are aimed at women, or at least men with a sensitive side. So here are a few ideas for some gifts men might like:

• A nice wallet. You can make it from fabric, duct tape, bike inner tube, or even classic leather.
  
• Masculine scented soap (like this beer soap)
• Food.  Any kind of food.  Except something he hates.
  
• Shaving products (cream or gel, soap, razor and brush stand)
  
• Framed photo collage
  
• Liqueurs
• A dopp kit (which is a bag for storing men's grooming tools for travel)

Handmade Gift Giving Guides

Okay, Halloween's over and the stores have started stocking up for the holidays. As Christmas (and whichever winter holiday[s] you find meaningful and celebrate-able) approaches, I've started thinking about what to give my loved ones. I like to get family members things that are less harmful to the planet and its inhabitants. In a few weeks, I'll post a quick list of social justice-oriented gift giving guides. Another (arguably better) way to do that that is to make your own gifts.

I know you probably haven't even started thinking about presents yet, but since it can be surprisingly time consuming to make holiday gifts, I decided to post a list of ideas early so you can all get started in plenty of time. Trust me, it's not fun when you are still knitting presents right before the relatives arrive!

Lucky for me, lots of other blogs have already done the hard work for me. [Disclaimer: because these are older posts, some links they use may not be active anymore]


Sew, Mama, Sew! issued roundup of handmade gift ideas last year that really captures a great range of ideas. I especially like the ideas from the gift compilations section, like the picnic set above.


West Coast Crafty also offers a long list of handmade holiday gift ideas. A favorite of mine are the cute matchbox ornaments (above) from Crafty Chica.


And another list of "festive" craft tutorials from Whip Up, including the wool wreath (above) from swallowfield
And another from Handmade Parade, featuring a cute cashmere headband (above) from Bitter Betty Blogs.

Finally, Skip to My Lou provides a fabulously creative list of options...too many good ones to pick just one, so you'll have to check it out for yourselves!

If you're feeling overwhelmed by all the options, take heart: there are always the basics.

• knit a scarf or hat
  
• make a food jar of some kind of mix (ie. brownie mix, cocoa in a jar) minus the liquid ingredients
• make holiday ornaments...practically any material will work
  

And don't forget, if you're not up for making your own handmade gifts you can always buy other people's! Sign up to take the Buy Handmade Pledge.