Underappreciated........Tissue Paper

We sometimes forget about tissue paper as a gift wrap. In the past 20 years since gift bags were introduced we have mostly seen it as something to stuff into gift bags to make them look more gift wrapped, more coordinated. And let me state here, I have nothing against a great gift bag. I am just sorry that it has somewhat positioned tissue paper as a bag stuffer in most people's minds. As a gift wrap, sometimes there can be nothing more perfect.

Not only is tissue more economical, it often offers me a colour I can't find in a gift wrap paper. Which brings me to the second part of this subject..........using leftover cards as gift wrap embellishments. In this post I am using two card cuts as I call them to bring a bit of visual colour and pattern to tissue paper which can be colourful, but simple in nature. This card is from a boxed set of blank cards in which I made a writing error. I keep these aside and simply cut off the cover and keep the card image for this wrapping purpose.

These gorgeous peony bouquets were die cut invitations that I bought, didn't need, but just loved the image. I do hope I am not the only one who does this sort of thing. Maybe I thought I would have a tea party of some sort? When I recently ran across these in a drawer I took them right down to my studio and cut off the backs and promptly used them up as gift tags. You can use the covers of cards that were given to you, blank cards with writing errors, anything with a beautiful image that may perk up your paper or tissue gift wrapping.

This one hangs in my studio with a gorgeous and trailing length of ribbon where I gift wrap just because .........

I used one of the peony cards as a gift card on a Wrap Room box that went out last week. Just a simple hole punch, tied it in with narrow ribbon . You can see a stylish B & W card cut I have ready to use on another gift which I will show you soon. "Card cuts" can work on any type of gift wrapping, not just tissue.

Tissue paper is also sometimes the only wrapping option, some items are difficult to wrap with the heavier weight of paper and the edges look like something a guy would do (generally speaking). This is where the softer weight of tissue paper shows it real beauty. Some products have a nature that better suits tissue as shown with this linen and lavender filled drawer liner. Can you picture it wrapped in gift wrap paper? I can't. It can softly fold around awkward edges and is a bit more forgiving. It does take practise to handle well but once you are comfortable with it you will agree that it is certainly under appreciated. Doing folded tissue pleats also takes practise but not much. It is difficult to show you this technique photographically so I am looking at adding video as in YouTube for many of the gift wrap tips..........will keep you posted.

There are a few things things to know about tissue paper. It is infinitely better to try and purchase it in flat 20" x 30" reams if you would like to use it more often as a gift wrap. I would refer to this as the professional method of buying tissue. One ream is 480 sheets and runs approximately $30-$40.00 so you can see the value in it's purchase. That covers a lot of gift wrapping, especially when it comes to wrapping for shower favours or multiples. I do have an issue with how tissue paper is sold in overly-folded packages these days as it makes it only good for stuffing, not folding. The second thing to know is to be generous with it's use. The more tissue layers, the more lovely and elegant it feels. I generally use 3-4 sheets on any product as the multiple layering also accentuates the tissue colour and hides any product colours. Wrap the item in both directions to hide any edges.

I tucked the stem of this die cut bouquet into the tissue folds and just let the long silk ribbon tail fall where it may. Wrapping in this style can also be more cost efficient because it requires little ribbon, a good way to use up short lengths that may be too short to tie into a bow. You can use shorter lengths as I have illustrated in the lavender one shown above, simply held in place with the card and double-sided tape.

Ready to brighten someone's day.

All photos by Sande Chase ~ A Gift Wrapped Life