Hip2Save This Holiday: Cozy Gift Wraps
This Hip2Save.com Deal was hand-posted on Thursday, November 29th, 2012 at 4:21 pm.
Hip2Save This Holiday Guest Post Submitted By Reader Sarah…
Sweaters are all the rage when it comes to winter, but recently I’ve been spotting them in the most unusual places like candle holders or vases. Last year I thought I’d go with the cozy trend and and use the sleeve of a dated sweater to wrap my smaller gifts. I love the results, and even managed to finish it off with a pretty bow. Up cycling can feel so resourceful and thrifty!
For my wrapping I try to do something different and creative each year. Last year I was trying to do this with a budget of $0. Since the cable sweater look has become quite the tread in home decor, I was inspired to use some outdated sweaters to wrap some of my smaller gifts.
The first gift [pictured at top of post] is wrapped completely with a sweater. This is done by simply stuffing the box into the sleeve of a sweater to measure how much of the sleeve you’ll need, then add about an extra 4″ either end of the box, and cut. Next, take the box out and turn the sleeve inside out and stitch one of the ends shut, then turned it back again. Stuff the box inside neatly, then with the excess fabric cut 4 vertical lines towards the middle of each edge (not at the corners) leaving an 1″ of uncut fabric near the box. Tie 2 of those diagonal pieces together, then the other 2 to create the bow. Trim if needed.
The second gift was made just by placing a scrap of sweater around a gift box and adding a pom pom (also made sweater). Both gift tags were made from cereal boxes turned inside out, just cut to shape and size. 
I hope you’re inspired to recycle and be thrifty this season, and not to spend a cent on wrapping!
For more information on my Hip2Save This Holiday series and to learn how you can participate in the fun, click here!
Tricia says:
Darn! I just dedicated my outdated sweaters to throw pillows – maybe I’ll hit Goodwill on half-price day!
Jennifer Savino says:
What a great idea! Love the cozy look!
Deborah says:
I love ths idea!! My daughter and I are also planning to experiement w/ using sweater sleeves to make leg warmers to wear w/ her boots.
Amber R. says:
LOVE this idea I saw it on Pinterest and I plan on trying it myself!
Ashley57 says:
What a great idea! If you don’t know how to sew, I bet you could tie both ends off, like a tootsie roll.
sarah@boxwood says:
Collin thanks for posting!
Ashley you can easily do a no sew version by just using tape, double sided works best.
Ashley57 says:
Thanks for the tip. I am not a very good sewer, though I am hoping to learn.
Katrina says:
Very cute! Great idea
Daphne says:
I love upcycling sweaters. Great idea. I sew a bunch of fabric gift bags from clearance christmas fabric bought after the holiday, but this will be great since I have a ton of sweaters waiting to be upcycled.
Heather says:
Christmas theme or character pillow cases are also great to use as gift bags, just add a nice bow.
swirlypop says:
Love this idea! Very nice.
ketsy says:
This is a very cute idea! Will try for teachers gifts to win them over
lynne says:
What a cute idea! Love it!
Rachel says:
I just showed this to my daughter who is taking a fashion class at school. Seems like a good project for her to work on her sewing machine skills at home!
Ashley says:
Classy looking! Love it!
LynneW. says:
In the stores I noticed they had small “sweater trees” (they were not cheap!). All you need to do it take a styrofoam or cardboard cone and wrap and sew sweater around it. I actually purchased some cones last year on clearance for .75, but you can even make a cone out of cereal box cardboard.
Marci says:
It is possible to make bracelets from the sweater cuffs and a scarf from the sweater. I saw it on PBS but can’t remember what show.