We are just a few short days away from Christmas. Have you gotten your shopping done? Maybe you are like me and you have a stash of gifts hidden around the house that still need wrapping. Perhaps still have a few last minute gifts to purchase. Even if you have finished your shopping, inevitably there are always a few gifts that need to be wrapped up at the last minute. So what do you do if you don’t have any bows to embellish those packages? I know the last thing I want to do is head out late at night to try and find a bag of bows for those last few gifts.
Maybe you’re like me and you have a bag of bows saved off packages from Christmas’s past. Not only are those bows totally underwhelming but they are often squished, creased, and look so pathetically sad. I confess, the frugal side of me makes it hard to throw out a perfectly good bow…right? But it seems like no matter how much you try to fluff them up to revive them, they always seem to end up looking quite sad, pitiful, and smushed.
What if you could make fun, festive curly bows like these, for your packages using supplies you already have on hand? No last minute trip to the store needed. No driving around town stuck in holiday traffic required. What if I told you that making these adorable curlicue bows takes just a few short minutes? What if I told you that they will cost you nothing to make? No special skills required either. Everyone can easily make these bows! Are you interested in learning how to make them? Keep reading…
Don’t toss out all those small scraps of wrapping paper that are too small to wrap your gifts! We are going to use all that leftover paper, to make theses delightful curlicue bows; the paper scraps you would normally throw away after wrapping your gifts. If you have any curling ribbon go grab that too. Not required but it adds some lovely texture and interest to these bows if you happen to have some on hand.
Supplies needed:
- Scraps of wrapping paper
- Scissors
- Twine or ribbon
- Curling ribbon, optional
- Clothespin or clip, optional
Start by taking a piece of scrap wrapping paper and rolling it into a long tube. The longer the paper the longer the curls you will create. Cut through the tube of paper creating long strips that are about a half an inch wide. You can vary the width or cut them all to about the same width.
Use your scissors to “curl” the ribbon. It’s the same process used to “curl” curling ribbon. Place the strip of paper between your thumb and along the edge of the scissors on one of the blades and pull the paper strip through. It may take you a few tries to get the right amount of pressure. Too much pressure may tear the paper, too little pressure won’t produce a nice curl.
Who knew you could curl strips of paper the same way you curl curling ribbon?
Take strips of curled paper strips and stack them, one strip on top of the other, holding them together at the center point. I just hold them in place between my thumb and finger but you could use a clothespin to hold them together if that’s easier for you. Don’t stress about finding the exact middle, all the curls will fluff up and if it’s not the exact center no-one will ever know.
Keep adding strips of paper until you run out of paper strips and you have a nice full curly bow. If you have it on hand, add in a few lengths of actual curling ribbon as well. It creates more texture, fullness, and interest.
TIP: It’s easier to curl the curling ribbon before adding it to the bow than curling it after you’ve added it to the bow.
Once you are happy with the fullness of the bow, take a piece of ribbon, twine, or string, use whatever you have on hand, and tie all the curled strips together at the mid point. Tie into a secure knot to hold the bow together.
Fluff the bow lightly with your fingers and attach it to your gift.
Get creative: Use birthday paper scraps with coordinating curling ribbon for birthday packages. Use light blue or soft pink colors for baby shower gifts. You are only limited by your imagination and by your supply of wrapping paper scraps in your stash.
The frugal side of me LOVES this easy to make use of leftover scraps of wrapping paper. You can crank out numerous bows in just a few short minutes and they are a beautiful embellishment for all your holiday packages. These curly bows look fantastic on gift bags and just as lovely on any of your gift wrapped packages. They are full, fluffy, fun, and oh so festive! Give this simple DIY a try, you will love how festive they make all your packages look!
Ho-Ho-Ho…Merry Christmas!!!
Did You Make This?
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Our hope comes from God. May He fill you with joy and peace because of your trust in Him. May your hope grow stronger by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13
Remember…Jesus ❤️’s you!
I’m going to try this! I was brought up to use scissors for curling ribbon but never tried paper!! I’m going to start now with all my scraps and leftovers and then have them ready for next year! 🙂 Thanks for sharing!!!
I wish I had known about this trick years ago. All those scraps of wrapping paper I threw out, if only I’d known!
I did make some of these curly bows and they were so easy! I love the way they dress up even the most basic packaging. Good idea to use a clothespin to hold them together while making them. Thanks for this post!