Spruce up those plain brown paper packages with a little washi tape. It's so cute and forgiving (it peels off easily if you make a mistake), even the un-craftiest of gift wrappers can handle it.
Photo: Geoffrey Ross
Colourful, versatile and easy to use, washi tape turns brown paper packages into works of art. Available in various themes, patterns and widths, simply cut and stick (or stick and lick) to anything from bags, boxes and cards to add personality to your holiday wrapping.
To create bunting (like on the bag above), cut and attach bakers twine or string to the sides of a bag with regular tape. Cut flag shapes out of washi tape and stick to the string and bag to hold in place.
For a big washi tape bow, cut and bend six pieces of wider non-sticky tape in half. Arrange in a bow shape, and staple together in the centre. Using a longer piece, curl ends together in the middle and attach to the bow with Scotch tape.
A version of this article appeared in our December 2012 issue with the headline “Brown paper packages,” p. 17.
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