Sounds great! I may try that next year. This year I just about finished up my stash of old wrapping paper. And I do mean old. After all, Santa can't use the same wrapping paper every year, lol. Now that the kids are older, I've been using up the old stuff - haven't bought wrapping paper in three or four years and I'm pretty much out. When I do my planned closet cleaning this month, I'll have to keep an eye out for good "wrapping"! :) Dee

Yes, I have done that before. Just remember to put all in plastic (I use non-ziplock)bags. Remember that when you take it out to thaw you remember just what it is you are thawing. Won't mention the soup I took out once, left on the counter to thaw!

I do a lot of shopping at Floral Supply Syndicate; although they sell mostly to merchants, they will sell to the general public. Take a look at their "bulk" papers - I think it's a pretty decent selection. They also sell the holder/cutter - I think it around $40. My current "wrapping station" is a small area in my sewing room. I store gift wrap on end in a wine box - I think 12 rolls of different wraps is more than enough. I usually purchase my paper in complimentary groupings; that way, if I'm gifting multiple gifts to one recipient, then I have a variety of papers that look good together. I keep ribbons sorted by colors/shades in a 7-drawer rolling cart. The cart is about 4' high, and although I could use more room (I think I am a bit of a ribbon junkie), I use the size of this cart to limit what I can have. I have a dresser in the sewing room and have dedicated one drawer in the dresser for tissue paper. I have lots of white tissue paper (thank-you Costco) and also keep special tissue papers in the same drawer. I've been known to iron a particularly lovely tissue paper to refresh it so that I can use it again. Here is a link that might be useful: Large Paper Roll/Cutter

1. Send as many e-cards as possible. There are some really cute interactive ones that are great for families with small kids. I make copies of an old family photo to send to all the adult nieces/nephews and our siblings. I send it in a Christmas/Holiday photo card. That's their gift from us. Over the years I've sent out all the ancestoral grand-, great-grand parents, etc. going back several generations, along with information about the subject/s in the photo. 2. Get the end-of-the roll newsprint (paper used for newspapers) from your local newspaper (free/cheap) and use it for gift wrap. I tie them with inexpensive twine, rather than expensive ribbon/bows for a country/rustic look. Have the kids decorate the paper if you need a craft project for them. 3. I also make my own gift bags. You can make them any size you need using most kinds of sturdy paper. The trick is finding a box the size you need to use as the form to make them. HOW TO: A. Using a large box that cereal came in, take your paper and wrap the cereal box - all but the top (try to make the seam at the back of the bag, not the side). DO NOT stick anything TO the box - it's just a form. B. Use a glue stick and/or double stick tape at the seams and bottom. C. Leave the top of the box you are using as a form open so that you can reach in and have something to hold onto when you pull the box out of the bag. D. Finish the bag by cutting the top edge (if it needs evened out) - you can use fancy cut scissors or pinking shears, if you have some. Fold the top edge into the inside and glue down using a glue stick. You can fold it over twice if you are going to attach ties/handles. E. You can add ties/handles using twine, ribbon, yarn, etc. by using a hole punch and making 4 holes (two on each of the long sides) about 3-4-inches apart and thread the twine, ribbon, yarn, etc. through the holes to secure the top closed. F. Crease the sides in the center to resemble a regular paper gift bag. 4. Another easy gift bag can be made out of brown paper lunch bags (you can also find them in colors or out of decorative paper). Secure the top by folding over 2-inches or so, punch two holes through all layers of the folded down area, and secure with twine, ribbon, yarn, etc. You can decorate these with all kinds of things, or leave them plain. We set a $10 gift limit for immediate family (kids/grandkid), but spend more on them for their birthdays. It's easier to budget this way. Hubby and I exchange one $1 gift from the Dollar Store. That's actually turned out to be a lot of fun... -Grainlady