10 Unique Gift Wrapping Ideas
You know how it is, you go to all the effort to find and buy the perfect gift but you have no idea how to wrap it. You want to make it look special but hate all the usual wrapping papers. You’ve tried the gift bags but want something different for your special gift. And it seems such a waste of money because they all just end up being thrown away.
Here are ten great ideas for gift wrapping. They are very different from what you might usually use. You’ll find something suitable for men and women, kids and adults. And it doesn’t have to be expensive, unless you want it to be.
1. Use a Scarf. This is a great idea for that special woman, whether she is your wife, girlfriend or mum. Scarves are always in fashion in one form or another. They can be cheap cotton or expensive silk. No messing with tape here either simply fold it around the gift then tie the ends together. Quick, easy and beautiful. Not only that but they get to keep the scarf as well.
2. Tea Towel. Following the same idea, this can be great for relatives living overseas, granny or that favorite old aunt. You know they have a collection which you can add to but make part of another gift so you don’t feel so cheap. Fold it around the gift and tie in place with a ribbon.
3. T-Shirt. This can be a great idea for a guy or girl, adult or child. Again just fold around the gift and tie with a ribbon.
4. Flier. If you want to give them a hint about another gift yet to come… grab a flier or brochure of that show you’ve got tickets for and wrap another gift in it. Watch the intrigue in their eyes as they open it up. Hide the tickets inside the gift or with the card you don’t give them till later to keep the suspense going.
5. Handbag or Purse. This one is especially for the ladies. The small cotton purses are ideal as they can be fairly cheap but are flexible enough to put a range of gifts inside. Just make sure your main gift can fit inside before you buy it. At first they’ll think you didn’t bother wrapping at all, until they look inside. Soon they’ll get to know not to look a gift horse in the mouth, or should that be to look in the mouth?
6. Ball Box. A quirky idea for the boys. Get a cheap hollow ball. With a sharp blade cut it in half, punch some holes around the edges and use wire or string to tie the pieces back together again once you’ve placed that small special gift inside. Just don’t use his favorite cricket or tennis ball. It might take a while for him to appreciate all your effort.
7. Paper Mache or Balsa Wood Box. For those of you who are more creative you can pick these up in a variety of shapes and sizes. And they’re cheap. Give them a coat of paint, stick on some beads, etc and you have a unique beautiful keepsake which becomes a special gift within itself.
8. Belt or Tie. For a different way to hold the wrapping on that gift in place use a tie or belt. Even a bow tie would look fantastic. Then he can wear it later.
9. Chain or Necklace. Another beautiful, unique way to finish off your wrapping. This again can be as cheap or expensive as you can afford. Wrap it around and clasp into place. She won’t rip this off too quickly, but then again she might.
10. Make Your Own Paper. Here’s an idea if you are a traditionalist and like wrapping with paper. Rather than just painting brown paper you can make something more special. Lay a sheet of waxed lunch wrap on an ironing board. Sprinkle with flower petals, leaves or confetti. Anything that will lay flat and is colorful and unique will work well. Lay another piece of waxed paper over the top. Cover with a thick cloth and press with a hot iron. The heat will melt the wax and bond the sheets together. All done.
These should give you plenty of ideas next time you have to wrap that special gift for that special person.
Banana Recipes
FRIED BANANAS - Peel some bananas and cut in halves crosswise, roll in flour and fry in deep hot fat. Set on end and pour a hot lemon sauce around them.
BANANAS WITH OATMEAL - Add a teaspoonful of salt to a quart of rapidly boiling water and sprinkle in two cups of rolled oatmeal. Set the saucepan into another dish of boiling water (double boiler), cover and cook at least one hour. Longer cooking is preferable. Have ready half a banana for each person to be served. The banana should be peeled and cut in thin slices. Put a spoonful of the hot oatmeal over the bananas in the serving dishes. Pass at the same time sugar and milk or cream. Other cereals may be served with bananas in the same way.
BANANA CAKE WITH JELLY SAUCE
- 1 cup flour
- 2 teaspoons Dr. Price’s Baking Powder
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup milk
- 1 egg
- 4 bananas
Sift flour, baking powder, sugar and salt into bowl; add milk and beaten eggs; mix well. Peel and scrape the bananas; cut in halves, lengthwise, then across. Pour batter into greased shallow pan, place bananas on top and sprinkle with sugar. Bake in moderate oven 15 minutes. Serve hot with jelly sauce.
Jelly Sauce
- 1 cup water
- 2 tablespoons jelly
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
Put water into saucepan; bring to a boil; add jelly and sugar; stir until dissolved; add cornstarch mixed with a little cold water; boil 3 minutes.
BANANA FRITTERS
- 1 cup flour
- 2 teaspoons Dr. Price’s Baking Powder
- 1 tablespoon powdered sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 egg
- ¼ cup milk
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 3 bananas
Mix and sift dry ingredients. Add others in order. Force bananas through a sieve before adding. Beat thoroughly. Drop by spoonfuls into hot fat. Drain and sprinkle with powdered sugar and few drops of lemon juice.
Safety Tips for Hot Summer Days
Don’t Keep the Kids In: Safety Tips to Make the Remaining Summer Days a Success
(ARA) - With summer’s end in sight and the sun going down a little earlier each night, kids want to maximize their long summer days outside. But for many parents, a lack of safe outdoor activities and health concerns such as sunburn, insect bites and late summer heat may keep the family indoors. According to experts, that is the last thing you want to do.
“Research has shown that moms will keep kids inside to protect from bugs and other summer headaches, but every pediatrician will tell you that a healthy, active lifestyle is key to a child’s development,” says Dr. William Wittert, pediatrician, Advocate Medical Group, and “Top Doctor” of 2006 according to Chicago Magazine. “It is important for parents to be proactive in recommending safe outdoor activities, and be aware of simple preventive steps to ensure a healthy summer vacation for the whole family.”
Dr. Wittert advises against keeping the kids indoors, but rather suggests the following ideas and correlating safety tips to ensure children will enjoy a safe and memorable vacation full of fun:
* Get set, Go! — Organize a neighborhood scavenger hunt for the kids in the area. Put together a list of items for kids to collect from different yards and parks throughout the neighborhood, accompanied by a parent chaperone. The team that returns first with all the items wins a prize.
Tip: Make sure to apply insect repellent to the kids before they head out, especially at dusk, a prime time for biting mosquitoes. There are now multiple options available for families. The OFF! Active line with DEET is a good option for longer periods of time outdoors and more strenuous, sweaty activities. Repellents containing Picaridin, a DEET alternative approved by the Centers for Disease Control, such as odorless OFF! Skintastic Clean Feel are not oily or greasy, and thus great for kids and relaxing outdoor activities.
* Let them run loose – Allow your children to be carefree this summer. Most communities have public parks and playgrounds that give children freedom while mom and dad can still keep a watchful eye. Since parks are attractive to a variety of young ages, bring the whole clan.
Tip: The sun and heat can take a toll on children’s energy levels. Remember to incorporate short breaks in the shade throughout the day to avoid heat exhaustion. Try making break time fun by providing healthy snacks by a tree or introducing a game that can be played at a table under shelter.
* Take a trip to the zoo – Bring sketchpads for the kids to draw different animals, and later have them read about their animal of choice, and learn about where the animal came from.
Tip: Even with sun going down earlier, it’s still dangerous — make sure to bring plenty of water to prevent dehydration. And go ahead, splurge on the ice cream cone.
* Discover your community on a penny – Fun summer activities such as outdoor concerts, parades and farmer’s markets are entertaining and often free. Check school bulletins and community newsletters for calendars and schedules.
Tip: While attending an event under the sun, remember an important rule of outdoor protection: do not to mix sunscreen with insect repellents. Instead, try a combination lotion, such as OFF! Active SPF 30, which fights the sun and mosquitoes.
* Get pedaling — Head to a bike trail with the kids.
Tip: One of the best ways to stay safe this summer is to wear a properly fitting protective helmet and other safety gear when biking.
Taking a few precautionary measures this year will help you enjoy the rest of your summer without frustration. By preparing your family for inevitable outdoor obstacles, you’ll easily overcome them.
For more information on summer safety, West Nile Virus, disease-carrying insects and choosing the right personal insect repellents to fit your family’s needs, visit www.offprotects.com
Courtesy of ARA Content
