Frugal Giving - Wrapping Paper Bows

My savvy life was filled with a non-stop, action packed to-do-list today.  With driving kids to school, emails, meetings, shopping, birthday party, dinner and taking care of a 2 year old sometimes projects are "make do or do without".  But I'm pretty good at getting by in a pinch I think, so I thought I'd share one of my pinch hitter frugal giving projects - making my own gift bows out of wrapping paper.  Wrapping paper bows are sooooooooo easy and practically free since you're just using scrap paper destined for the trash - and think about all the trees you'll be saving ;-)

As I busily wrapped the gift for my son to take to his friend's birthday party, I ended up with a small pile of left over scrap wrapping paper due to the shape of the package.  You know me, I hate to waste anything so I saved the scraps and made one of my famous paper bows.  (I made the first bow in a hurry this afternoon, so I've made a second one tonight to show you here.)

Wrapping Paper Bows Requirements:

• Scotch Tape
• Scissors
• 1 Inch Wide Strips of Wrapping Paper
• Small Stapler

• Cut 5 strips of wrapping paper, 1 small, 2 medium and 2 large (medium and large size slightly larger than the last/about 1" larger - exact length depend on gift size).

• Secure with clear scotch tape to form 5 loops. (If you have trouble getting the strips to a uniform width, simply make the loop and use scissors to even edges after the loop is formed.)

• Cut 2 equal lengths of wrapping paper, taper ends if desired, and curl (just like curling ribbon) with the edge of scissors.

Wrapping Paper Bow Assembly Instructions: Stack wrapping paper loops in succession from large to small, securing each loop piece with a piece of rolled tape.  Press pieces together firmly. (You can also stack loops and secure with staple only, but the tape helps maintain the bow position while you're stacking.)

Step 1 - Secure two large loops with clear tape

Step 2 - Secure one medium loop with clear tape

Step 3 - Secure second medium loop with clear tape

Step 4 - Secure small loop with clear tape and staple bow in the 
inside of the small center loop for extra strength if desired.

Step 5 - Gently pull both ends of curled strips to loosen curl.  
Tape each curl under the center of the bow.

Step 6 - Secure Bow on package with clear tape 
and be the hit of the party! (Use 2 sided paper for multi-color effects!)