You don't have to buy all your gift wrapping supplies at the store—let your imagination run wild! For example, for gift wrap try cutting up old gift bags or even brown paper lunch sacks or paper bags from the grocery store. In a pinch, they'll work as gift wrapping paper. Use old hair ribbons, yarn, or string to tie up your packages.
For homemade bows, see the earlier Frugalvore posting Save Money With Homemade Bows.
As for gift tags, I recently started using old Birthday and Christmas cards. What I do is get some scissors and cut out an interesting part of the front of the card, for example Santa's face or a ballon, but blank on the backside. Even if it's not blank on the back, you could cut a piece of plain paper the same shape and glue stick it to the back over the existing writing. Write your message in the blank area and tie your homemade tag to the gift bow with a piece of string or ribbon.
For supplies like scotch tape, glue sticks, ribbon, or string, buy in bulk or on sale if you can after the holidays.
Finally, don't be afraid to ask relatives and friends to save leftover scraps of gift wrap or other supplies that they were going to throw away and give them to you.
