Some of the best fund raising ideas for schools are those which involve the pupils in some kind of creative activity. I’ll bet if you asked most young children what they enjoy most at school the answers would include drawing or painting. Combining the talents of our children with parents and grandparents willingness to spend money is a winning combination.

And how do you get all that creativity on to something that displays our children’s artistic skills to as wide an audience as possible? You print it on gift wrapping paper. Possibilities for themes are endless, but parent’s pockets aren’t, so selling the gift wrap at a couple of events a year should be just right. The most obvious are the Summer Fete or Fair and at Christmas.

Get the children to create their works of art on A4 paper sheets. They can be on white paper, or for an interesting effect spread a few different coloured papers among the pupils. A standard sheet of Gift Wrap is 500mm x 700mm or similar. When the children’s illustrations are reduced down in size, you can fit any number from about 72 up to 288 images on to a sheet. It depends on the effect you want to achieve. The white background tends to work better with the lower numbers and the multi-coloured papers with higher numbers. Duplicate images as desired or necessary to make up the numbers.

Although gift-wrapping papers are most widely used to wrap packages, fabrics offer a creative alternative. Fabrics are more versatile and durable than most papers. They also provide more flexibility.

There are many uses of fabric for gift-wrapping:

Wrap the entire box the same way you would wrap with paper,

Wrap the lid and the bottom of the box, so that it can be used as decorative piece in the future,

Use fabric as an alternative to tissue paper,

Use it in place of ribbon,

Decorate a wrapped present with cutouts and adornments made of fabric,

Fabric can be easily wrapped around unusual shaped gifts, such as a basketball,

Create novelty wrapping that you could not make with regular wrapping paper using items like denim

Cottons and sheers are perfect for wrapping a present as you would with paper because they are light enough to make corners and be tucked under. Heavier cottons are good for regular shape boxes, but they will work for items like wine bottles.

Chintz can be fairly expensive but it can be used for almost any kind of gift. The glazed finish of the fabric will augment the wrapping nicely.

Where do creative ideas come from? The cool thing about gift wrapping is that it’s offers the chance to make a personal gesture while having fun. But there are some tricks that will make life easier, so if you are a little shy, don’t fret, here are some tips that will get you going.

It’s all about attitude. If you look upon gift wrapping as a chore, you are missing one of life’s golden moments. The opportunity to have fun and add to the excitement of the gift giving moment with your own personal touch. And the first place to start is to realize that you have lots of friends and relatives, and just like you, they like receiving gifts. So instead of rushing through the part that offers so much and pays big bonuses, slow down and think. You may even find yourself inventing little gift giving opportunities just so you can flex the creative side of the brain.

At Corazon Latino, we offer a full gift wrapping service. However for those who want to give it a bash themselves, here’s the recommended technique for perfect gift wrapping.

1. Start with a good quality box. Your gift may already be in a box. If not buy one from a good quality stationers.

2. Line it with foam or tissue to hold your gift snugly.

3. Choose colourful paper appropriate for the occasion.

4. Measure the paper by gently wrapping it around the box. Leave 4cm extra to overlap.

5. Cut the paper evenly so you have a clean edge. If the end is ragged fold it over to leave a clean straight edge.

6. Measure the ends by using the end of the box. The paper on the upper surface should fold down to cover the end of the box at both ends.

7. Trim the sides of the paper making sure you have enough to cover the ends.

8. Now wrap the box lengthwise and tape the paper tightly. You should now have a “tube of paper” slightly longer than your box at both ends.

Beautifully wrapped gifts indicate that you have put forth both time and effort in create wonderfully personalized gifts. First impressions make lasting impressions! Since the presentation of gifts is important, there are many ways to add your own personal touch.

A gift can be personalized for the holiday or special occasion. Another way is by using the recipient’s favorite colors or by using wrapping materials that reflect a hobby or special interest.

By using innovative ways to wrap gifts, you can save money as well by using materials that are readily available at very little cost to you.

Gift Wrapping Materials:

Create an attractive wrapped gift by choosing unusual wrapping paper or other materials. Use sheet music for the music lover, maps for those who enjoy traveling, or newspaper for anyone who keeps up with what’s going on in the world. Use specific sections of a newspaper such as the sports pages, comics, etc. Other paper products that are usable are the pages from telephone books, magazines, coloring books, or comic books. Paper doilies, decorative paper napkins, aluminum foil, crepe paper, or brown craft paper are unique paper products that work well for wrapping gifts.