CasaSugar

Casa Quickie: Make Your Own New Year's Eve Confetti

CasaSugar — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 06:15:39 -0800

Short on confetti for your New Year's Eve party? Don't toss that holiday wrapping paper! Cut each sheet into a few small squares and send them through a paper shredder, and then send the shredded pieces through once more if necessary. Not only will you have festive confetti, but you can re-purpose your wrapping paper! Don't have a paper shredder? Try these shredding scissors. And of course, once the party's over, don't forget to vacuum thoroughly!

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lil Tip: Signature Wrap

LilSugar — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 09:00:01 -0800

Whether we're talking about Christmas or birthday parties, tags and cards inevitably fall off gifts. To avoid this in the past, I've selected one paper pattern and bought roll upon roll of it. When our family arrived at festivities with bags of goodies in hand, it was easy for everyone to realize that we were responsible for the striped packages.

We usually choose a wrapping paper that is appropriate for all occasions, so we can continue to use our signature wrap for the rest of the year.

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How-To: Five Green Tips For Getting Rid of Wrapping Paper

CasaSugar — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 05:30:55 -0800

The stockings may have been hung by the chimney with care, and all of your carefully chosen presents may have been perfectly wrapped, but when gift-opening time starts, you're sure to be left with a mound of paper. But don't throw it away! Here are some ways to make sure that the holiday paper doesn't go to waste this morning.

Ask a family member to gather all of the reusable paper, bows, ribbons, and boxes while the presents are being unwrapped. Stack these items in a neat pile, and then save them in a sturdy box, so they can be used again next year.
Save any packaging materials, such as packaging peanuts or foam, for mailing future packages. Alternately, you can take them to a packaging store.
Save paper for future projects, such as paper-making with children. You can also stock children's craft boxes with paper. You can iron the paper at a very low heat to get the wrinkles out.
Recycle any gift wrap that's too damaged to be reused.
Make sure to use recycled-content wrapping paper next holiday season!

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Casa Verde: 10 Green and Glam Gift Wrapping Solutions

CasaSugar — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 12:00:43 -0800

Did you run out of wrapping paper? Maybe you're looking for a less environmentally taxing way to give this holiday season? Here's an idea: Wrap a gift with another gift. I love the graphic pattern of this typographical tea towel ($18), which would definitely be a showstopper under the tree. Include another kitchen-related gift, such as a teapot or some green cleaners, and you're set. For nine other ideas, check out the slideshow.

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Wrap Star! Winter Tweets Gift Wrap

CasaSugar — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 05:30:32 -0800

As much as I love making my own wrapping paper, I can't resist manufactured wrapping paper with a beautiful design. Such is the case with the Snow & Graham Winter Tweets Paper ($7 for two sheets). Featuring small, vibrant red birds perched on brown and green branches, the paper is festive and seasonal. But its clean lines and unfussy shapes give it a hip, mid-century modern vibe - an infinitely better choice than kitschy Santa Claus and reindeer designs. Of course, your Walgreens-variety wrapping paper will come at much more manageable price, but the look of these sweet birds under your tree is oh-so-worth it, and hard to resist. Would you splurge on this gift wrap?

Wrap It Up: Recycle Newspaper

LilSugar — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 08:00:04 -0800

Newspapers normally end up stacked in the recycle bin so send your child on a lil mission to recover the black and white printed sheets and help wrap their holiday gifts. Simply pull a page, cut it to size and cover the present. Once that is finished, using their steady lil hand, some eco-friendly paint in the color of their choice (I like red for the contrast) and their own inspiration, have them "tie" a bow around the package. If they want more colorful paper choose the comics section. To add more pizzazz, use a glitter glue pen to create the ribbon.

Wrap It Up: Printing Makes Perfect Paper

LilSugar — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 07:00:07 -0800

If you've got a preschooler excited about printing or a child in elementary perfecting their cursive, use their new skills to create the colorful homemade wrapping paper for the holidays. Simply take a piece of newsprint or butcher paper and write across it using a marker. Give your child a lil creative license to come up with a family slogan like, "Warmest Wishes From the Wilsons" and "Seasons Greetings Love The Smiths" or snag the favorite line of a seasonal song - "All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth" - or holiday movie. It's a wonderful and ecomomical way to teach kids that practice makes perfect!

Wrap It Up: Hanukkah Paper

LilSugar — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 06:00:12 -0800

Hanukkah means eight nights of presents so help your mini mes create gift wrappings fit for the Festival of Lights. Having your wee ones take part in the creative process allows them to explore their artistic side and puts the holiday emphasis on giving. Check out our Hanukkah designs and come back tomorrow to see other inventive ways lil is wrapping things up this season!

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Wrap It Up: Handprint Holiday Paper

LilSugar — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 06:00:39 -0800

The economy may have families cutting back, but creativity comes free of charge! Instead of tossing rolls of pricey wrapping paper into your cart at the store, take the time to teach your tots how to make festive prints with their hands, fingers and even feet. The colorful gift wrap makes presents extra special and the activity can become a beloved holiday tradition. Check out our Christmas selection and come back tomorrow to see more inventive ways lil is wrapping things up this season!

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Do You Use "Alternative" Wrapping Paper?

CasaSugar — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 07:00:13 -0800

I love making my own wrapping paper using stamps, butcher paper, and markers, but sometimes even the most diligent crafters run out of time to create handmade wrapping paper. That's when I rely on good old calendar photos for some of my smaller gifts. Do you use "alternative" wrapping paper for holiday presents?