How To Do Classic Christmas Gift Wrap For $1 Per Package

I used to do new gift wrap every year with different ribbons- but since we usually travel for Christmas all of my packages and pretty bows were smushed and the paper was torn by the time we arrived at our destination. So, I had an idea for something MUCH more forgiving and SIGNIFICANTLY cheaper. I’ve used this same set for several years now and I LOVE the effect. It’s simple, classic, and reminds me of years gone by! The great thing is, it is VERY inexpensive for those of us on a budget and comes in a large roll so you can use it for a long time! I’m including Amazon links so you can find everything quickly and easily!

*This post may contain affiliate links. Please see full disclosure at the end of the post.

The cool thing is, with just a few accessories this gift wrap set is classic and also somehow very NOW (for all of you farmhouse fanatics!). And guess what, you can wrap a medium package for $1.10 each (as shown in the photo)! Even very large packages wrap for only pennies more.  I purchased the paper and twine two years ago and still have plenty for this Christmas and have only had to repurchase the decorations.

How To Do Classic Christmas Gift Wrap For $1 Per Package
How To Do Classic Christmas Gift Wrap For $1 Per Package

So, here is the simple supplies list:

Brown Paper Craft Tags with Jute Twine (120)- $.06 each

Brown Craft Paper (200 ft) – $.25 a yard

Silver Jingle Bells (50) – $.18 each

Artificial Pine Needles (30) – $.50 each (This is the most expensive piece, so if you have these in your yard, I’d use those- we just don’t have them where I live and these are VERY convincing)

Jute twine (328 feet) – $.05 a yard

As I write this, the entire kit costs about $50 to wrap ALL of your gifts.  I can’t wait to see all of your beautiful presents!

How To Do Classic Christmas Gift Wrap For $1 Per Package
How To Do Classic Christmas Gift Wrap For $1 Per Package

If you’re looking for a beginner calligraphy pen set to do that cool lettering, I found this one easy to use and inexpensive. This is literally (and obviously) my first attempt at calligraphy lettering and it’s cute even when it’s not great, so give it a shot!

For more great Christmas decor and DIY ideas check out our blog!

Cheers!

 

 

*Legal stuff:

I am honest about my experiences with different products and write because I enjoy it.  I do however, have the opportunity to earn money for my writing, also.

Slavetodiy.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.  Amazon offers a small commission on products sold through their affiliate links.  Each of your purchases via our Amazon affiliation links supports our cause at no additional cost to you.

If a blogger links to an Amazon product (with a special code for affiliates embedded in the link), and a reader places an item in their “shopping cart” through that link within 24 hours of clicking the link, the blogger gets a small percentage of the sale.  Amazon links are not “pay per click.”  If you click on the product link and stay around Amazon and purchase something else, however, I will get a commission on that sale.

Slavetodiy.com is also a VigLink affiliate advertiser which works similarly.

How To Preserve Roses

How To Preserve Roses
How To Preserve Roses, Preserving Roses

I’m so excited. I got BEAUTIFUL roses for my birthday. I know we’ve all lied to our significant others at some point, and told them we didn’t like flowers, but if they were smart, they knew it was a lie and bought flowers anyway. Because there are significantly fewer tears that way.

This post may contain affiliate links.  Please see the full disclosure at the bottom of the post.

We won’t talk about that time that I cried like a little girl because, even though I had dropped copious hints, I didn’t get flowers for my birthday. We’re complicated creatures, women. Poor Rainman.

Yeah, I’m that girl. (If you are in the dog house, and need to buy flowers, this is a great service).

How To Preserve Roses
How To Preserve Roses, Roses on the Sewing Machine Table

Ugh, they’re just gorgeous from every angle. But, I have a secret. These are in the process of “preserving”. Did you know that you can prevent those gorgeous roses from keeling over on you?

There are two really good methods for doing this and I’ll go through both!

Method One (best for roses that you want to use in arrangements later… more finicky than method two):

How To Preserve Roses
How To Preserve Roses, Beautiful Roses for My Birthday

 

This is pre-preservation. I always love the arrangement from our local florist, although I don’t love their choice of cheapo vases. Even the “budget” line shouldn’t be a throw away. Anyhoo, when I get to the preserving phase, I’m really only interested in the roses. I love them at Christmas for their deep red and am looking forward to bringing them back out.

 

How to Preserve Roses
How to Preserve Roses: Red rose bouquet with preserving supplies: scissors, vegetable glycerin, and a hammer.

You really only need a couple of things to do this:

  • Your preserving vase (mine is an antique but I have these also, which are super cute and very reasonable)
  • Florist shears/ scissors (as you can see, I was using the poultry shears instead of going to get my nice florist shears which drives Rainman totally NUTS)

Fill your vase with about 1.5 – 2 inches of glycerin.

I start with the longer roses in the arrangement. Holding the vase next to the edge of the counter and the rose stem next to it, I eyeball where I want the cut. Snip! Take your little hammer and flatten the end of the stem. Roll it and flatten again. Mash it up so it opens up (this helps the glycerin get into the stem).

I do the center (long pieces) first, then fill in around the edge with the shorter stems. For mine, I remove all of the leaves and toss everything other than the roses.

Move them to a location out of the sun to start the preserving process.

Preserving Roses
Preserving Roses: Red rose bouquet, beginning preservation.

I have to be honest: I adore how these are turning out. They will be gorgeous for my Christmas scenes. These can possibly last years if handled carefully and are such a better option than silk!

Tip: Make sure to add glycerin over several weeks until the stems stop absorbing, then dump out any excess (the glycerin will start gelling on the petals and getting goopy if you leave it).

Preserving Roses
Preserving Roses: Preserved red rose bouquet ready to WOW.

 

Method 2 (My Favorite):

How To Preserve Roses
How To Preserve Roses

This is the PERFECT preserved roses in a hatbox method!

You’ll need:

How To Preserve Roses
How To Preserve Roses
How To Preserve Roses
How To Preserve Roses

 

How To Preserve Roses
How To Preserve Roses

Step One: Snip off the leaves

How To Preserve Roses
How To Preserve Roses

 

How To Preserve Roses
How To Preserve Roses

 

How To Preserve Roses
How To Preserve Roses

 

How To Preserve Roses
How To Preserve Roses

 

Step Two: measure how long to cut your roses!  Then cut them at that height at an angle (check your height by putting it in the box).

How To Preserve Roses
How To Preserve Roses

 

How To Preserve Roses
How To Preserve Roses

 

Step three: Remove the three outermost petals on your roses.

How To Preserve Roses
How To Preserve Roses

 

How To Preserve Roses
How To Preserve Roses

 

Step four: Put your roses into the bag and pour the silica beads over it. Gently shake it to completely cover and get it inside the petals. Once they are covered, put them into a cool dark place for about a week. (Don’t worry about using all of your silica, you can re-use it!)

How To Preserve Roses
How To Preserve Roses

 

How To Preserve Roses
How To Preserve Roses

 

Step Five: Once all of the petals are preserved, shake the silica off carefully, and place them gently into your hatbox. These can last more than a year if you preserve them correctly!

How To Preserve Roses
How To Preserve Roses

 

How To Preserve Roses
How To Preserve Roses

 

Thanks for checking out our little tutorial! Feel free to comment and ask questions below and check out more of our great projects here! Cheers!

 

*Affiliate Disclosure:

I am honest about my experiences with different products and write because I enjoy it.  I do however, have the opportunity to earn money for my writing, also.

Slavetodiy.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.  Amazon offers a small commission on products sold through their affiliate links.  Each of your purchases via our Amazon affiliation links supports our cause at no additional cost to you.

If a blogger links to an Amazon product (with a special code for affiliates embedded in the link), and a reader places an item in their “shopping cart” through that link within 24 hours of clicking the link, the blogger gets a small percentage of the sale.  Amazon links are not “pay per click.”  If you click on the product link and stay around Amazon and purchase something else, however, I will get a commission on that sale.

Slavetodiy.com is also a VigLink affiliate advertiser which works similarly.