Gift Giving New Uses for Old Things

Tissue Paper as Wrinkle Preventer

Avoid ironing while on the road. Pack clothes between layers of tissue paper and they’ll arrive wrinkle-free.

Paper Clips as Wrapping Paper Holder

Use paper clips to keep wrapping paper from unraveling.

Branch as Gift Wrap

Spruce up a wrapped gift. Tuck pretty sprigs into the ribbon in place of a bow.

Luggage Tag as Gift Label

Slip a gift label inside a tag.

Book as Misleading Gift Box

To foil present-guessers, hide the real gift in a hollowed-out book. Using a box cutter carve a space just large enough to hold the small item.

Coasters as Gift Tags

For clever gift tags that capture a travel memory, hang on to cardboard coasters from the bars and the restaurants you visit on your journey. When you return home with souvenirs for friends and family, punch a hole near the edge of the coaster, tie a ribbon through the hole, and write a quick note in an empty space (or on the blank side).

Dish Towel as Wine Bag

Place the bottle along one side of the fabric so that the bottle’s top meets the top of the fabric. Fold the excess material at the bottom over the bottle, forming a pocket of sorts. Then roll the dish towel evenly and secure at the neck with ribbon.

Easter Baskets as May Day Gifts

Maximize your green quotient by recycling that Easter basket for a May Day treat. Simply fill the basket with treats—a batch of fresh-baked cookies, candies, flowers and candles, or something more elaborate—for a surprise on your best friend or relative's doorstep.

Flat Iron as Ribbon Smoother

Get the kinks out of wrinkled wrapping ribbons that were tied around your birthday presents for recycled bows without the telltale creases from the previous gift box.

Gift Box as Cupcake Carrier

If the forecast calls for iced roadways, stabilize your sweet cargo by cutting X’s into the tops of gift boxes and inserting the cupcakes. (A shirt box will hold about eight.)

Greeting Cards as Gift Tags

Create a gift tag by cutting a greeting card down to size, then punch a hole in the corner and slide a ribbon through it.

Dictionary as Art

Send a message that speaks volumes. Make a blow-up copy of an entry that relates to the occasion (for Valentine’s Day, try kiss or love) and use a highlighter to mark your most heartfelt sentiments.

Puzzle Pieces as Refrigerator Magnets

Send party guests home with one-of-a-kind favors. Parcel out groups of pieces from an incomplete puzzle and glue a magnet to the back of each. A single box will yield enough decorative sets for dozens of refrigerators.

Paint Chips as Valentines

Create a homemade Valentine with rose-colored swatches cut and arranged in a sweet way on craft paper.

Paper Shredder as Gift Wrap Maker

Dress up presents by running tissue through a shredder instead of scrunching it inside boxes and gift bags.

Paper Towel Holder as Ribbon Organizer

For easy access when you're wrapping, slide spools of ribbon with at least a one-inch diameter opening onto the towel stand's post. Stack the spools from largest to smallest, bottom to top, and tape the ribbon ends to their spools when you're not using them.

Pewter Tray as Guest Book

Create a one-of-a-kind wedding keepsake by renting an engraving pen from a hardware store and asking guests to sign their names on the platter.

Shoe Organizer as Gift Wrap Storage

Arrange gift wrapping supplies so you can easily locate bows, ribbons, scissors, and tape.

Sock as Wine Bag

Slip a (clean) patterned kneesock over the bottom of a bottle, then knot the top to create a decorative carrier. Better yet, offer your hostess two bottles so she can later enjoy toasty toes.

Sugar Bowl as Homemade Candle Holder

Fill mismatched sugar bowls and tea cups with melted wax and a wick for beautiful handmade gifts.

Wire Hanger as Ribbon Dispenser

Dispense ribbon for wrapping gifts. Untwist the hanger—or pop out the cardboard-tube bottom of a hybrid hanger from the dry cleaner—and slide on spools for easy storage.

Farfalle as a Gift Bow

All out of premade bows? Tie up wrapped gift boxes with cooking twine and farfalle pasta.

Jump Rope as Ribbon Replacement

Jump-start a trend with this fun, colorful decoration that doubles as a bonus gift.

Key Chain as Gift Tag

Add a fun touch to a gift box by using a bright key chain as a tag, attached with big rubber bands in place of ribbon. The recipient will love it, even if it doesn’t go with a bow-wrapped Lexus in the driveway.

Lightbulb as Ribbon Smoother

To smooth a wrinkled ribbon, hold it taut, run it over the surface of a clean, warm (but not too hot) lightbulb. (Caution: To avoid singeing the fabric, don't use a bulb that has been on for more than five minutes or so.) You'll have a beautiful bow all without hauling out the iron.
 

Newspaper as Wrapping Paper

Save the comics section for a child's birthday surprise or use the wedding announcements for an engagement.

Paint Chips as Gift Tags

Paint-sample strips make great gift tags. Besides all those hues, they’re printed with fantasy-inspiring names, like Flamingo Dream. Slide one under a ribbon, or punch a hole and thread ribbon through as a tie.

Pant Hanger as Gift Wrap Organizer

Keep individual sheets of wrapping paper crease-free by hanging them from the clips. Do the same with gift bags, or drape their handles over the hook of the hanger. (You can also use a shoe organizer: Stash scissors, tape, gift tags, and other decorating supplies inside the compartments.)

Photo Corners as Gift Tag Securers

Neater and more attractive than Scotch tape (but just as easy to apply), self-adhesive photo corners make even the simplest wrap job look impressive.

Plastic Bag as Gift Wrap

No time to make an emergency pre-party run for wrapping paper? Riffle through your bags to find the prettiest and most colorful―or just ones without writing. Triple-bag the gift, then tie all three sets of handles into a knot. Cut the tops of the loops and fan out the pieces to make a plume.

Ribbon as Gift Bag Handle

Give a white gift bag a makeover with a simple ribbon transplant. String the ends of the ribbon through the holes to the inside of the bag and tie knots to hold them in place.

Wall Calendar as Wrapping Paper

Use expired calendar pages to wrap gifts. Because the sheets are just the right size to cover paperback books and other small items, pictures from past months can find new life with a present.

Laundry Hamper as Wrapping Paper Holder

Store tubes of gift wrap in a tall hamper. Keeping them upright will prevent wrinkles and tears.

Rubber Bands as Gift Bow

Add a snazzy touch to a gift in a snap. Instead of tracking down a bow, stretch several colored bands around the box. Bonus: You can slide a card under the bands.