College students often face an added layer of anxiety around the holiday season. And no, we aren’t talking about finals-induced stress. We’re referring to the little pit in our stomach that arises when we quantify the money we’ll have to dole out to Amazon or Abercrombie for our family and friends’ holiday gifts.
As the fall semester comes to a close, you’re probably wishing you hadn’t bought so much Snap pizza and a new outfit for every football game, because frankly, you’re dead broke. How are you supposed to afford a nice gift for all your loved ones, plus the wrapping paper, bows and gift bags? Well VALLEY readers, no need to fear for your financial situation because we’ve compiled a list of gift wrap solutions that allow you to avoid the cost of buying wrapping paper.
Some Creative Solutions
#1 – Aluminum foil
Tin foil is an extremely underrated gift wrap alternative. Almost every household has a roll of this versatile shiny substance, and it couldn’t be easier to use on gifts. No tape or scissors are necessary — just rip off a piece and mold it around your gift. Who needs glittery wrapping paper when aluminum foil has its own natural luster that is sure to please your gift recipient?
#2 – VALLEY magazine!
Don’t just gift your friend one thing – give them two! Wrap your present in a page or two of a VALLEY magazine to provide some top-of-the-line reading material for your loved one to enjoy. Packaging gifts in newspapers is also a chic choice, but VALLEY magazine is surely more entertaining.
#3 – Old notes
You know that class you had this past semester that never failed to give you hand cramps from furiously scribbling notes? Once the final is over, put those masses of notes to good use by wrapping your presents with them! The recipient gets to learn a little something new and you come off as quite the intellectual.
#4 – Clothes or spare fabric
Do you have any old fabric laying around, maybe a shirt that your ex left behind or a sweater from a friend that did you dirty? You can cut these items into usable pieces of fabric to wrap gifts in a cute and sustainable way.
Get creative with your wrapping materials this year! No need to spend extra money when you can use things you already have to create a wonderful gift experience.
Which of these ideas would you use to wrap your gifts this holiday season? Let us know on X @VALLEYmag!
