Wednesday, December 20, 2006

"Wrap it up!"

When I was in high school, I worked at a clothing store. My kooky boss loved to sing that ZZ Top song that included the lyrics "wrap it up... I'll take it... wrap it up!" Anyway, that's what popped into my mind when titling this post.

We have an annual tradition of making our own Christmas wrapping paper on the day after Thanksgiving. It's generally a day with not much to do, so this is a fun project. I buy a big roll of white paper at Michael's and try to come up with a new technique each year. This year we tried spray bottles.


They clogged up a lot which was a bit frustrating. (Yes, I thinned down the paint. Still clogged.) But the results were still wonderful -- and quick!


Here is the finished product! I think I saw this idea about using paint chips for gift cards in Real Simple magazine. Genius, I thought. And off I went to Home Depot for a large selection.

Actually, they had lots of paint chips in green greens, but not too many red reds. Oh well. In fact, I've run out of paint chips and must make another trip to the hardware store. The boxes look so festive under the tree and we are all ready for a fun holiday season. Grma and Grpa arrive today. Claire has two more days of school and Benjamin just one. We've also got a laundry basket full of presents to bring to the other family up in St. Louis after Christmas.

Maybe I'll run into you at Home Depot today. You can find me in the paint department. I'd love to wish you a Merry Christmas!

8 comments:

Amy said...

The paper looks great! I love those paint chips. Anytime we're at Home Depot I grab a handful. They come in handy for all sorts of stuff.

Anonymous said...

What a great idea. I wonder if my kids would enjoy doing this.... My favorite part is the paint chip gift tags, though. Too cool!

Jules said...

Your gifts look really festive. I like the paint chip cards, too. I may have to stop by Home Depot.

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful idea. The paper is beautiful. I must go get some paint chips this morning.

Sue Seibert said...

Great tradition, Deborah!! Love the photos.

Sarah Ann Smith said...

Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant on all counts... you're such a good mom! I never think of stuff like that. I tried the making paper one year, but the boys' weren't into it...they're just not crafty. Too bad. Maybe I'll try it next year anyway...and the paintchip idea is sheer genius...and I'm our of gift tags... heh heh!

Any word from Jeff? Hope he is en route or home, Hugs, Sarah

Kay said...

The paper is beautiful, and your children will have great memories, as well as keeping up an artistic tradition. But as for the paint chips--how long before Home Depot catches on and starts charging for paint chips? Or just raising the price of the paint?

Anonymous said...

Fun paper! I made paper sort of like that one year, but the tape won't stick to it. Bummer. Your gifts look so happy and festive!