With the holiday season fast approaching, are you looking for an alternative to purchasing gift wrap paper? Try my trick and wrap your gifts in old maps. I inherited my stash of maps from my grandfather’s home. He had quite the collection of outdated maps. Maps are practically free at second hand stores, estate sales and garage sales. This method keeps maps out of the recycling bin.
Cut your map just like wrapping paper.
Keep a stash of boxes handy for wrapping gifts. Boxes make wrapping neat and tidy.
Maps offer something printed on the inside of the paper as well.
Ready for the ribbon…
Ribbon can be saved from gifts you have received and re-used. A quick press with the iron makes used ribbon look new again. Trim edges of ribbon with very sharp scissors.
Scraps from the maps can be used for gift tags. So easy!
You could use newspaper, comics, or paper bags to wrap gifts but I think old maps are much more stylish and creative. Old maps are very dusty. Consider yourself forewarned.
Do you like wrapping gifts? What’s your favorite source for gift wrap?
Go Gingham related links:
Pretty wine charms from an estate sale
Estate sale finds: vintage wrapping paper
Dumpster diving woes – please, no covers on a dumpster!
Second-hand shopping finds for my family
Kid’s birthday party gifts that are budget friendly and very sweet
Frugal gift ideas for teachers – lovely and homemade
Go Gingham 
I absolutely love this look! I am just waiting for that “stash” to be located!
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Darcy, perhaps you know someone who lives close to you, has lived in their home for many years, and doesn’t get rid of anything? I’d check there, pronto!
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I made roller blinds for my kids’ rooms from old school maps. They turned out fantastically!
-Katy
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Katy, very creative and great idea! Old school maps are very sturdy. Thanks for the comment.
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Great idea Ms. Gingham! Love the blog/website! For Hanukkah wrap, I have the same 5 gift bags with cute Hanukkah decor that I bought at a local gift shop, and keep re-wrapping presents each year in them with used tissue paper I have collected throughout the year. Nobody minds getting the same gift bags over and over(they forget from year to year anyway) and they really only want what’s inside the bag! That’s my 2 cents! Keep up the great blog!
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