In general, there are two approaches to Christmas prep. One approach is to buy gifts throughout the year, prepare early, and roll into Christmas with ease. The other approach is to freak out in mid-December about all the things you still need to do. I belong to the first camp. I have many of my gifts bought, I’ve made a number of them, and I’m working on using my crapsmanship skills to make one-of-a-kind Christmas wrappings. The following photos show what began as white gift bags, purchased from Wal-Mart very cheaply. I’ve crapped them up with an assortment of craft and Christmas items. This has satisfied my urge to create, used up some of my excess supplies, and will make wrapping gifts easy when the time comes. Below each photo, I’ve identified the materials I’ve used to make each. All are ModPodged over the top.

Scrapbook paper for the hearts, an old dictionary for the letters, acrylic paint and a toilet paper roll for the circles, and a brown Distress crayon to smudge the letters

Old book pages lightly covered with white gesso as an underlayment, watercolor spray for the background, scrapbook paper for the letters, and a fine Sharpie for the “stitches”

Old book pages lightly covered with white gesso as an underlayment, watercolor spray for the background, one ply of a Christmas napkin, a fine Sharpie for the “stitches”, and gold acrylic paint and a slanted brush for “Peace”

I hope you’ll be inspired to try your own!