10 great DIY gift & party packaging ideas
So many parties, so little time! We know, but you gotta get yourself organised honey! Super mom Karen Brokensha looks at ways to minimize time, money and effort – and still get great results.
Our suggestions: stock up on gifts and novelties and store them in one place and then go get your packaging at shops like Merry Pak, Hassims, Consol, Everlasting, Osmans, Plastic Shop or go to the likes of Clicks, Checkers and the Pick n Pay Hyper. Scour their stationary/kitchen departments for super fabulous gems like these:
1. Brown paper bags with pretty raffia (can’t ever go wrong) or postage swing tags and coloured bakers’ twine (the trend right now!)
2. White paper bags with handmade stamps and string
3. Chinese boxes are so versatile and make an impressive gift wrap
4. Plastic buckets are also a fun and vibrant way to give clothing/stationary or sweet treats and they are great for re-using for storage afterward
5. A Sunflower Fund bandana makes an awesome gift wrap, especially if you wrap it using Furoshiki – the Japanese art of giftwrapping
6. Go the up-cycle route and use newspaper with funky ribbons (especially the new French linen options). Great way to do books for men and ladies! And if you know someone loves reading old classics – support SPCA sales and get great bargains!
7. Buy beautiful fabric wine bags to present those cheap and cheerful bottles of vino – that way the gift keeps giving even when the bottle is done
8. Instead of wrapping – give a pot plant or herbs and just cover the pot with clear cellophane and funky tissue paper (Green with Envy do a stunning job of this!)
9. Glass bottles filled with homemade biscotti (or buy from Home Industry if you have to fake it) are a gorgeous way to present a gift – wrap a roasted bag of coffee from Colombo and you will be uber generous too.
10. Of course, for tea drinkers, paint old tins and pop their favourite bag of leaf tea and biscuits with a sugar spoon for a stylish option
- The six super creative Contributing Moms are Karen Brokensha (Matatu Hospitality Marketing Consultant), Emma Dunk (Owner of Embetween Communications), Cindy Norcott (Owner of Pro Appointments/Founder of Robinhood), Alice Leah (Editor of Mum’s Mail), Lucy Markewicz (Owns Lucy’s Cake Shop/Manages Freedom Cafe) and Marcelle Roberts (Owner of Cafe 1999/Unity)