(Before I go any further, I must tell you that I just had a conversation with my husband all about the word "pimp." I asked him if I was using "pimp" correctly in my title. He responded, "Well, pimp is a verb...so, yes." That whole exchange just makes me LAUGH!)
And, now...onto serious matters...like pimping a plain ole gift sack. (Poor, unsuspecting gift sack.)
I think there are 4 elements of a pretty gift sack
(In other words...Pimp it out, Sista!!)
1. A gift sack
2. A gift tag
3. Tissue paper
4. Ribbon
1. A Gift Sack. Of course, I recycle gift sacks like crazy. But, when I have to purchase new ones, I try to buy plain ones, that I can use for either guys or girls--knowing that I will personalize each plain bag, and properly "pimp" it up! I usually find that the plain white or brown ones that come in a pack of 10 are the most economical.
2. A Gift Tag. This is my FAVORITE new trick!!! To me, this is the pièce de résistancefor the plain ole gift sack. Using Word Art (under the "Insert" tab) of MS Word, I type out the first initial of the person receiving the gift. I play around with the fonts--using scrolly or cutesy fonts for girls, and plain block letters for the boys. I "fill" the initial with the main color, and "outline" the initial with a secondary color.
After I print out the brightly-colored initial, I cut it out, and glue (or tape) it onto the bag. Then I write the "To" and "From" right on the tag. Voilà! The gift sack is on its way to being pimped! (NOTE: OCD me likes to use heavy card-stock paper for this, although I think plain paper would probably work fine.)
3. Tissue Paper. I try to keep a couple of colors of tissue paper on hand. To make this simple, I keep hot pink for the girls, and blue for the boys. Also, I keep red, green, and white on hand to use not only at Christmas--but as accent colors the rest of the year. I do buy other colors occasionally...but I know if I keep those basic 5 colors, I will be covered for any gift I might need to wrap.
To help pimp those plain gift sacks, now with the adorable initial gift tags attached, I use 2 colors of tissue paper, that match the initial gift tag.
4. Ribbon. I try to keep a couple of colors of ribbon on hand at all times. I love using the hot pink wide polka dot grosgrain ribbon for girls. (Excuse me, but could you be a little more specific?? Ha!) I also mix the hot pink and white tulle ribbon. For the boys, I use either the white tulle ribbon, mixed with red curling ribbon, or just a stack of 2 colors (usually red and blue) of the curling ribbon, simply tied and curled. I have also used torn (or cut) pieces of red or blue bandannas, simply tied at the top.
Do you have any gift sack - or gift wrapping TRICKS?
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