The Online Reflector

By Sami Shelton
News Editor

It’s that time of year again! The Christmas season is just around the corner, and many people are already well into their holiday shopping. But once you find the perfect present, how do you make the outside look just as special as the inside?

Many people take the standard, less creative route by putting the gift into a box and using pre-printed wrapping paper. This can be difficult when you have an unusual-shaped gift, or one that cannot fit in a box.

If this is a problem you have experienced, or you are simply looking for a creative way to wrap your gifts, I suggest you make your own gift-wrapping material. It’s a fun, easy way to create a gift that no one will forget.

This Christmas, I decided to make fleece tie blankets for my younger siblings. The blankets are large and cannot easily fit into a box. Instead of making a lumpy, messy ball of wrapping paper and fabric, I decided to wrap my blankets to look like pieces of peppermint candy. This is an easy way to wrap anything from clothing to DVD collections.

To start, I bought inexpensive red-and -white printed wrapping paper. Then I found clear wrapping paper at Target, but clear cling-wrap also can be used. You will also need double-sided tape, scissors, rubber bands, colored cardstock paper and ribbon to make your peppermint present.

First, wrap the gift with the printed wrapping paper. On the sides, where one would normally fold the wrapping paper and tape it shut, gather the paper together and tie it with a rubber band. This will make the ends look like they are twisted closed, much like a peppermint candy.

Next, wrap the gift with the clear wrapping paper or cling wrap. Gather the ends together, like the printed wrapping paper, and tie with curled ribbon. Make sure the clear paper is longer than the printed wrapping paper, to give the effect of the candy being wrapped in plastic.

If you wish to add a to/from label, choose a color of construction paper that coordinates with the printed wrapping paper. Cut out a circle from the cardstock paper and write the words To and From on it. Then, wrap the cardstock paper with excess clear wrapping paper and tie both ends with ribbon. This will not only make your gift look like candy, but will make the to/from label a sweet finising touch as well.

To make the gift even more special, use ribbon to tie an actual piece of candy to the gift. For my gifts I used candy canes, but any type of candy can be used.

This project only cost me around $12, and I was able to wrap more than one present with the materials I bought. You can cut down on the cost by buying the materials from a dollar store (I bought everything from Target). Also, the clear wrapping paper can be substituted with cling wrap, and the extra candy does not have to be added.

This project was a fun way to make my inexpensive gifts look special. These cute peppermint presents are not only unforgettable, but they also look great underneath the Christmas tree.

So when wrapping your gifts this holiday season, use your imagination. Your loved ones will appreciate the creativity.