Upscale Bohemian Living

The other day, I was invited to a birthday party for my neighbor’s baby who was celebrating the ripe ol’ age of one-year.   The gift I selected was rather small in size–not much to select from, as all the really cool kid gifts were choking hazards for small babies.  Anyway, after I made my selection,  I briefly looked at the gift bags and realized not only would I need to purchase the bag itself, but also a bag of scriggly paper strips or tissue paper to use as  filler so the present would not be visible.  Then, I would also need to buy a ribbon or bow to complete the bland ensemble.  I started calculating the cost of all this stuff in my head.  I always calculate the cost of things in my head prior to a purchase because I am usually always dangerously on the edge of being completely broke.   Although the junk needed for giftwrap was only gonna cost a couple of bucks,  it was a couple of bucks I really did not have to spare at the time, not to mention said kid could care less how his toy was wrapped.  I made a snap decision that this was also a coupla bucks that could be put towards something else. (I’m thinking it will make a small downpayment on a theatre ticket, for example, or maybe even a bottle of wine, as everyone knows by now that a glass of that yummy red liquid is essential for a healthy heart. ). :  So, here is what I did:  I bought the gift,  came home, took out a small brown paper sack–the size alot of people use for lunch totes–painted a ink wash of a flower on the bag, stuck the gift inside, and tied it up with a bit of animal print ribbon I had stashed around the house.  I don’t think it looked too shabby. Baby was happy.  I’m happy.   Cost:  maybe 25 cents max, but probably more like a dime.  In the future I’m going to experiment with how many ways I can creatively wrap a gift.  I’m thinking some  funky painted up/decorated newspaper will be my next gift wrapping material.