We love a big, beautiful bow as much as the next guy. (Okay, admittedly, probably quite a bit more than the next guy.) Nevertheless, when it comes to wrapping presents, ribbon isn't the only option. Crepe paper streamers are a fun, practical, and super-inexpensive alternative: Choose a color that coordinates with your holiday paper, wind it a few times around the box, and secure with tape. Tuck a card or gift tag into the folds to finish. Streamers can even replace wrapping paper entirely: Cover a tube by alternating red and white for a candy-cane effect.
Crepe streamers, partycity.com.