Easy monogram gift tags
When I wrap presents in wrapping paper, I often just cut out a bit of the wrapping paper, fold it in half, and use it as a gift tag. But when I use boxes or fabric bags, I obviously need another solution.
I like a simple look, so this year, I made little stamped monogram gift tags. I scrounged up some cardstock scrapbook paper pieces I didn't want (this page said Forever and I'd cropped that part off so I could use the plain part of the paper on a scrapbook page.) and then stamped the appropriate letters using my alphabet stamps.
I cut them to the right size and then used a regular hole-puncher on the top of the tag.
If you want to get a little bit fancier, you can run an ink pad along the sides of your tags to darken them a bit. I do this all the time when I'm scrapbooking, because it gives your paper a much more finished look.
I use cloth ribbon to close my fabric gift bags, and that's usually too wide to fit through the punched hole. So, I use a bit of curling ribbon to attach the tag.
I tie a little knot around the punched hole and then just slip the curling ribbon underneath the cloth ribbon. If you curl both ends of the ribbon, it'll actually hold the tag on without a knot (the curled ends will keep tag from sliding off).
I use a small piece of curling ribbon to attach these to gift boxes as well.
You could just use double-sided tape, but I like the way the tag looks with a bit of ribbon. If your tag insists on hanging lopsided, though, stick a small piece of tape underneath to hold it in place.
I'm so pleased with how these turned out. They're easy to make, they're sleek and simple-looking, and they didn't cost me anything!
I actually skip the tags altogether. Each person gets their own wrapping paper so all of their gifts are wrapped in the same paper. I keep a "master key" to know who's wrap is who's. This makes it so the kids don't shake their presents (because they don't know which ones are for them!).
Kristen, what a cute idea. I'm totally doing this next year.
I like to wrap gifts in paper. Several years ago I started writing the recipient's name right on the paper with a coordinating Sharpie marker--the newish silver ones are especially fun and also easy to see.
I know that un-reusable wrapping paper isn't really a very environmental or frugal choice, but I am vigilant on environmental choices all year, so I don't feel too bad about the paper--besides, we recycle the paper and reuse the bows and ribbons. Also, I only buy paper every couple of years and always on after-Christmas sales, so it's more frugal that way. 🙂
That would be good except there's just one problem: over half of the people in my family have names beginning with C. What's cool is that these can also be reused, though my family reuses wrapping paper as well.
I have the same problem--too many Es and Hs for it to work for us!
I use Christmas cards that I received the year before to make gift tags. I just cut up small portions from each and add the name.....it's also fun for me to look through the cards one last time before they are re-used (and not thrown out.) Sometimes I punch a hole and attach with string, other times I just tape it on. It's fun because all the tags are different and colorful.
We do the same thing with Xmas cards but try to use the picture on the card as a hint for what the gift is. For example, a card with birds for a birdfeeder present. However, there are often cryptic notes like "warm wishes" which could mean something to keep you warm like a sweater or something for warm weather like sunglasses. Makes for lots of good natured teasing on Christmas morning.
We do the same with old cards. A friend has a tag shaped punch I borrow, and Cate at Liberal Simplicity suggested using cookie cutters to make shapes. Hate to throw all those nice cards out!
Mostly, I do like Virginia - I just write the recipient's name directly on the paper, either in silver or black Sharpie. If the paper has glitter on it (I like me some sparkly Christmas paper!), I use a bit of cardstock from the unused part of a Christmas card. I re-use the fronts by making ornaments - cut out the pretty part, glue pieces of popsicle sticks to the back for weight and string to the top to hang. They make great child-safe ornaments, and if one gets lost or damaged, it's not a big deal!
I've been known to use a post-it. (Wrapping isn't my strong point.)
My family typically exchanges presents in brown paper bags from the supermarket. Not wrapped in that paper, just thrown in the bag.
My mom was a single mother who worked full time and raised 3 kids on a tight budget. Wrapping paper was an unneccessary expense, and finding time and space to wrap a present without letting a kid see it was nearly impossible. So, she'd leave the gifts in the trunk of the car, and bring them in at the appropriate time in the brown paper bag. (We don't celebrate Xmas, so need need to keep them under the tree. 😉 )
Now, tradition dictates that all our gifts are "wrapped" the same way. Love you, Mom.
I have given my family alternative names, like Disney characters, and no one knows who they are until Christmas morning. Be sure to make a master list!
Mine only really works if you have a small family, but my immediate family has cloth gift bags that are color coded- pink for the girl, of course, blue and orange for the boy and green for my husband. The pink bags were made from an old skirt (I took a page from your book before it was even a book!) and the blue ones from old jeans.
Beautiful! I made little chalkboard tags this year 🙂
Last year I took an old book whose pages I was using for another present, traced first initials on a few pages, cut them out and adhered them onto my plain newsprint wrapping paper with an outline of glitter glue. Paired with magazine page bows, I got tons and tons of compliments on how nice the presents looked. A little extra work, but a great way to reuse books and magazines.
That sounds really neat Rachel - don't happen to have a picture of one of the presents, do you? Would love to see the finished effect!
We use Christmas cards from last year, cutting out a particulary appropriate or cute piece.
This year my wife Julia - who makes Christmas cards, did a batch for a customer and spelled the customers name wrong on them! So she retrieved the cards from the customer and reprinted then all for the customer. (Another reason to order your cards`early!) Then she took the, now "useless", cards and used them for gift labels. But this time she was able to use her considerable inventive talents. She cut around the main part of the card and stuck it onto another card with little spacers, the same picture, so that they look like 3-D cards. Voila wasted cards used up very artistically.
One year I picked a different paper for each member of the family and wrapped all that person's gifts in that paper. No name tags at all made guessing which were yours harder.
Another year I wrote the recipient's initial in pencil in one corner. They never did find those marks.
With my toddlers who can't read yet..I just put thier pictures onto the gifts...that way they know its for them....after the presents gets unwrap..the pictures goes back into the photo albulm 🙂
I'm one of those people who cuts up Christmas cards from the year before! Not the picture ones, of course...those go in my scrapbook. 🙂
My mom just writes our name on the package in Sharpie. Doesn't look gorgeous, but it gets the job done!
Oh, and sometimes I'm able to get a set of free gift cards in the mail (like when they send you free return address labels and you're supposed to donate).
We are still using the ornaments that I used as tags two years ago!
http://mynonfabulousfblog.blogspot.com/2009/12/paper-or-plastic-or-fabric.html
Those letters are simple, classy and elegant, I love them. Can I steal them please ? Wll, the idea anyway.
Wow - those look pretty easy, even for me... I think my family would think I was crazy if I made these, although they think I'm crazy generally. Very nice.