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By Geralin Thomas

What Kind of Paper?

Expand your choices and save time and money! Collect wrapping paper that is not specific to a particular holiday or occasion. For example, instead of buying Christmas-specific gift paper, try going with a bright green or red paper, or a wrap with a metallic finish. Solid colors of paper like those can do double duty and be used year round. After Christmas, Valentine's Day is right around the corner and you’ll be ready with red, white, silver or gold papers with red and pink ribbons. Even nontraditional colors can be used for Christmas. Try a wintry, icy blue paper with silver ribbon.

You don’t even have to purchase wrapping paper at all! Collect grocery store bags to use as brown paper wrap. An earthy brown paper can look festive when it’s dressed up with a red, green or shimmery ribbon. You can create a warm, inviting country Christmas look with a gift wrapped in brown paper with colored raffia or green or red yarn (or twist both yarns together). Save the Sunday comics, which make a great wrap for children’s gifts. Young children can make colorful handprint wrapping paper with newsprint or grocery bag brown paper. (Handprint wrapping paper makes a great gift for grandparents and teachers too.) So, with less expense and fewer store-bought wrapping papers, you can expand usage and save money.

Raffia or Ribbon?

Raffia provides a more natural, rustic look than other ribbons. It’s available in colors as well as its natural light brown, yellowish shade. Use several strands together to give gifts a fuller look. Most people use a lot less raffia than ribbon, and it stores flat.

Where to Put It All?

A hanging garment bag (like the one you use when you travel) is an economical way to store gift-wrapping supplies. Place tubes of wrapping paper inside the zippered section where hanging clothes belong. Use the back pockets for tissue, gift bags, and folded wrapping paper. Use the shoe pockets for scissors, tape, tags, ribbon and raffia. Hang it inside a closet to keep it off the floor and where it’s easy to lift and carry from room to room.

Bonus Tip: Hang a pine-scented air freshener inside the bag to softly scent your wrapping supplies. Each time you open the bag, the smell will whisper "holidays."

Learn more about Geralin Thomas at www.metropolitanorganizing.com.