DIY Gift Bows (Upcycled Toilet Paper Rolls)

Ahhh, is it just me or does anyone else feel nauseous every time they check their bank account during December?  I swear, each year it feels like I spend more and more.  It’s one thing to spend hard-earned dollars on actual gifts, but spending $3-$5 dollars on a bag of gift bows?  No way! I mean, let’s be serious – those bows aren’t really appreciated because everyone is used to seeing them as the “standard” and they get torn off within two seconds.

The holidays aren’t supposed to be about the presents or how much money you can spend – it’s a time to be joyful and to spread that joy to others.  On that note, I’m linking up with the Collectively Creative ladies again for the Joyful Edition.  Be sure to check the bottom of this post for the links of all the participating bloggers!

So what’s my solution to the expensive gift bow issue?  Joyfully save yourself some money and make your own bows with supplies you already have at home!  This project doesn’t take much time or focus so it’s a great activity to do while you’re watching tv.  All you need is a hot glue gun (with glue stick), toilet paper rolls and/or paper towel rolls, and scissors – that’s it!  How many DIY projects have you heard of that only require 3 items?

Tip:  I’ve read that you can do this project with glue sticks and/or Elmer’s glue bottles but I didn’t give either of those a try.  I recommend a hot glue gun because I know for sure that it works.  If you give this project a try with a glue stick or glue bottle, please let me know how it turns out!

So let’s get started because I’m sure you have some gift wrapping to do! 🙂

First, flatten your roll so it has two creases.  Next, cut 1/2 inch pieces.  These will be your petals.

Tip:  If you’re really particular, you can measure 1/2 inch increments.  I just eyeballed it and the bows turned out fine.  You can’t see any noticeable size differences.

For each gift bow you will need 5 petals (Picture #1).  Once you’ve cut 5 petals, bend the creases toward each other to create a rounder petal (Picture #2).  Then, place a drop of glue near one end (Picture #3) and squeeze the next petal onto the dot of glue (Picture #4).

Continue until all 5 petals have been connected.  Remember to glue both sides of the last petal to connect the bow.  You’re done – gift bow complete!

If you want to make the gift bows look a little fancier and less rustic, you can spray paint your toilet paper/paper towel rolls.  Just make sure to paint them before cutting them into petal pieces and then let them dry completely.  Remember my Toilet Roll Wreath that I made in October?  I ended up taking it apart and reusing those rolls since they were already spray painted a nice copper color.  So basically I reused materials from an upcycled project – double awesome!

I hope this posts inspires you to make your own (inexpensive and easy) gift bows for your holiday gifts!  They will definitely save you money and I bet the recipients will be impressed. 😉

DIY Gift Bows (Upcycled Toilet Paper Rolls)

Materials

• hot glue gun with glue stick
• toilet paper and/or paper towel rolls
• scissors

What to Do

1. Flatten the roll so it has two creases.
2. Cut 1/2 inch pieces.  These will be your petals.  For each gift bow you will need 5 petals.
3. Once you’ve cut your petals, bend the creases toward each other to create a rounder petal.
4. Place a drop of glue near one end and pinch the next petal onto the dot of glue.
5. Continue until all 5 petals have been connected.  Remember to glue both sides of the last petal to connect the bow.

You May Also Like:

• Collectively Creative: Halloween Edition [Party Pumpkin Keg]
• Collectively Creative: Thankful Edition [DIY Dry-Erase Board]
• DIY Hemp Coasters
• DIY Fabric Flowers (from old T-Shirts/bed sheets)
• DIY No-Sew Ruffle Scarf
• DIY Kitchen Canister Glass Etching

Collectively Creative: Joyful Edition bloggers

• Framing Christmas PJs – (Cobwebs, Cupcakes & Crayons)
• J-O-Y to the World – (Pillows A-La-Mode)
• How To Display Christmas Cards – (Organized Living Essentials)
• Adding Joy to Every Room – (Neaten Your Nest)
• How to trim a Christmas tree: ornaments, Lego trains and whipped cream – (The Thing About Joan)
• Joy Advent Calendar (And Giveaway!) – (Cul de Sac)
• Joy To The Cookies: Having an Annual Holiday Cookie Baking Party – (Green Door Hospitality)
• The Spirit Of Christmas – (A Ponytail Kind Of Day)
• DIY Themed Mini Christmas Trees (This One’s for My Husband!) – (Mrs. And The Misc.)
• Wrapped In Christmas Lights (Happy Little Kiwi)
• Sharing Joy – (Gentle Stitches)
• The Joy Of Discovery – (Love, Laughter and a Touch Of Insanity)

Tags: bow, brown wrapping paper, cheap, Collectively Creative, copper, craft, craft paper, DIY, Do it yourself, easy, gift, gift bow, gift giving, gift wrapping, glue stick, hot glue gun, inexpensive, joyful, kitchen twine, paper towel rolls, petals, presents, presents under the tree, project, recycle, reuse, rustic, spray paint, toilet paper roll crafts, toilet paper rolls, toilet roll, unique, upcycle, wrap, wrapping, wrapping ideas, wrapping paper

• December 19, 2012
• DIY Projects, Holidays
• 45 Comments