From the page: The newspaper still has plenty of stories to tell
Idea 4
Gift wrapping strips
Before industrially made wrapping paper, it was common to wrap parcels in newspaper and tie them with twine — a look that has since become a rustic aesthetic valued in artisanal packaging. It works because newspaper is flexible, takes precise folds, and its black and white creates an elegant contrast with colorful ribbons.
What you need
- Clean, flat newspaper pages
- Scissors or a craft knife with a ruler
- Ribbon, twine, raffia or fabric strips
- Optional: stamps, white pen or paints for decorating
How to make it
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1
Choose the pages with the best layout — large letters, photos or ads with beautiful typography become the paper's pattern.
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2
Cut wide strips 4 to 6 centimeters wide for bows and paper flowers, always using a ruler so the edges stay straight and the finish looks professional.
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3
For simple bows, wrap a wide strip around the box, secure it with ribbon on top and attach a second narrower strip crossed over it, creating contrasting layers.
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4
For decorative flowers, fold the strips accordion-style (back-and-forth folds), glue one end together and open the layers into a rosette to glue onto the gift's knot.
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5
To make it fancier, stamp small motifs or write the person's name in white pen over the dark area of a photograph.
Finishing touches
Always pair newspaper with a "noble" element — linen twine, an evergreen sprig or satin ribbon — for the chic-rustic contrast to work. Store the cut strips rolled up so you have wrapping ready at any moment.
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