If you use lining paper or brown paper to wrap presents ...

[nappyaddict]

Do you

leave it plain,
use stamps to decorate it,
add ribbon,
add bows,
something else?

I keep the paper plain but add ribbon and a bow. I think it looks nice to that (and nothing to do with running out of wrapping paper at all )

If it for a child other than my DC I get the kids to draw on the paper.

Otherwise just a ribbon.

Leave it plain, then wrap it in cellophane, then add a ribbon and bow. Only for Adults main presents though, too much faffing around otherwise.

stamps can look atrocious

Ribbon is way to go

Or pretty tag

Stamps can look fabulous.

Ribbon is lovely.

Kids drawing great for gps.

I use brown paper and string - possibly because of the song - but now I'm wrapping presents for children I'm just happy to know that I'm not raising their present expectations with any fabulously interesting paper .

Having said that, have used some blue and white ribbon on a couple of parcels, but mostly because they needed extra holding together. Present wrapping is not a skill I have.

Notreally .... - what sort of string do you use? do you still use sellotape aswell? I'm not sure I would be able to wrap a present without using sellotape

Plain parcel string - the white stuff. If I'm feeling fancy I'll tie it in a bow . And yes I do use sellotape, but have been wrapping some very lumpy things this year (and eww to re-wrapping in cellophane How much plastic?)

One year I did get DS - then 3 - to potato print christmassy shapes on some of the paper. The paint was thick enough to stop the paper from bending properly and the ceiling's still not quite clean

can't you see the sellotape though? i always assumed that's why people used ribbons - to cover up the sellotape

Do what sil has done on ds1s xmas present which she wrapped in brown paper, after giving him his birthday present in xmas paper yesterday.

Take a nice black felt tip pen and write across the front of the parcel in big letters :

'sorry run out of xmas paper'

My DH is fussier and uses double-sided tape under the flap. I've never been conscious about the sellotape being on show - I don't use much - but I'll be worrying now

flibberty

notreally - i'm not fussy either. i will be having mine on show.

i wonder if i can get away with just using those stick on bows .... i find ribbon and string a bit fiddly.

How old's your DC? Let it/them loose with a book of stickers after you've done the wrapping and they'll love you forever

@PMYW - I still have memories of opening a gift wrapped with that sort of care and attention and finding...

...Lily of the valley talc.

I'm going with boring on the outside forever

If going for brown paper or lining paper then keep it simple with string or raffia - nothing too lurid or shiny! A nice touch is to poke a holly leaf (for the adults) in the string knot and write their name on it in gold pen. Can also use little branches off the Christmas tree (if real) to decorate.

I have a friend who routinely wraps Christmas presents in old birthday paper "cos it's all paper!" I resist the urge to wrap her presents in toilet paper. Although I have wrapped one for her in newspaper

I am completely mad on present wrapping and love nothing more than a perfectly square/rectangular box, to wrap with precision!

I have a lovely pile of brown paper parcels in my bedroom now. They are sellotaped on the bottom, so no seams showing on top, wrapped with red and white ribbon. They have red and white tags and either a red bauble or a red pom pom. I am very pleased with them!

I used to do silver and gold potato prints. Very chic. Now they're lucky if they get a label

spicemonster - do you just do brown paper and a tag then?

Use ribbon -- lining paper plus red gingham ribbon. Lining paper is slightly heavier weight so I find it needs the ribbon anyway, plus it jazzes it up while being reusable.

LOL @ Flibberty