Wrapping Paper Crafts

Whether you want to make your own gift wrap or recycle used wrapping paper, these crafts offer a great way to recycle. Get creative with these fun paper crafts that are suitable for kids and adults alike.

Stenciled Gift Wrap

Even the most boring paper can be transformed into wrapping paper. Gather your craft stencils and paint to design your own custom gift wrap.

Things You Will Need:

• Brown butcher paper or kraft paper
• Assorted stencils
• Stencil brush
• Acrylic paints
• Paper plate
• Paper towel

What To Do:

1. Unroll your paper the length of the work surface you are working on, or the amount of paper needed for the gift you will be wrapping.
2. Use various stencils with the season you are celebrating. Decide on the stencils and the colors for each.

   

3. Choose acrylic paint that coordinates with the holiday. Squeeze a puddle of one color onto a paper plate. Dip a stencil brush into the paint. Scrub the brush into a paper towel to remove the excess. You want the brush to be damp, but not drippy. Place your first stencil anywhere on your paper. Pounce the brush into the stencil openings. Twist, turn and angle the stencil in different directions on the paper and repeat stenciling. If more stencils are desired with the same color, paint them before changing colors.

   

4. Randomly paint more stencil images over the surface of the paper in a different color. Repeat with additional stencils and colors if desired. Allow the paint to dry before re-rolling the paper or using it to wrap a gift.

   

Marbled Wallpaper Wrap

Wallpaper left over from a room makeover is a wonderful option for wrapping paper. It doesn't matter what the design is on the front of the paper because you will be adding your creative touch to the back. This handmade wrapping paper project is intended for smaller gifts as the size of the paper is determined by the size of the pan used for marbling.

Things You Will Need:

• Wallpaper (can be pre-pasted or not)
• Scissors
• Cake pan or roasting pan
• Shaving cream
• Acrylic paint
• Wood skewer
• Ruler or yardstick

What To Do:

1. Cut wallpaper the same size as the pan you will be using.

   

2. Fill the bottom of the pan with a thick layer of shaving cream.

   

3. Randomly drizzle and drop dots of acrylic paint over the shaving cream.

   

4. Drag a wood skewer through the paint in both directions to create the marbled streaks. To prevent a muddy mess, do not mix the shaving cream.

   

5. Lay the cut wallpaper over the shaving cream mixture with the back of the wallpaper facing down. Use your hands to apply pressure over the surface of the wallpaper.

   

6. Gently peel the paper up and out of the pan. Lay the paper with the shaving cream side up on your work surface.
7. Scrape a ruler or yardstick across the paper to remove the shaving cream. Allow the paper to dry.

Wrap Scrap Medallion Ornament

Coordinate your wrapped packages and your Christmas tree with an ornament made from leftover scrap wrapping paper. This simple craft is a great project to do with the kids on a snowy day.

Things You Will Need:

• Wrapping paper scraps
• Ruler
• Scissors
• Adhesive spray
• Pinking shears
• Stick glue
• 1/2- to 1-inch buttons, two
• Hot glue gun
• 1/8-inch paper hole punch
• 1/4-inch wide ribbon

What To Do:

1. Cut a 2-inch wide by 19 1/2-inch long strip from a scrap of wrapping paper. Lay the strip with the back side up and apply a thin layer of spray adhesive. Place a larger scrap of wrapping paper on your work surface with the back facing up. Flip the cut strip over with the right side facing up and position it in the center of the larger scrap. Press with your hands to bond the two layers together. Cut around the strip shape using regular scissors on the short ends and one long side and pinking shears along the remaining long side. You now have a two-sided strip of paper with a bit more weight than a single layer of flimsy wrapping paper.

   

2. Lay the strip on your work surface. Position the strip with one short edge facing you. Fold up this short edge 1/2 inch. Firmly press the fold with your fingers to crease. Flip the strip over. Fold over the same short edge 1/2 inch. Continue this back and forth (accordion) fold down the length of the strip.
3. Apply stick glue to one short end of the folded strip. Place the other end over the glue, overlapping 1/2 inch. This will form a ring. Note: Before attaching the ends together, make sure the overlap will provide a continuous over/under fold in the ring. If the folds do not line up correctly, simply cut off one fold.

   

4. Stand the ring on your work surface with the pinked edge on the bottom. Pull out the bottom edge of the ring, allowing the top to drop into the center.

   

5. While holding the medallion flat, apply hot glue to the center of the side facing up. Place a 1/2 to 1-inch button over the glue. This will secure the medallion, allowing it to keep its shape. Repeat on the other side of the ornament.

   

6. Using a 1/8-inch paper hole punch, punch holes along the outer edge of the medallion, centered in the middle of each fold.
7. Cut an 8-inch length from the ribbon. Thread the ribbon through one punched hole. Bring the ends together and tie in an overhand knot 1/2 inch from the end for your ornament's hanger.

Wrapping Paper Crown

Celebrate the birth of Jesus with a sparkly crown made from wrapping paper scraps and glitter. This crown tucks in among the branches of your Christmas tree, but if you would like to use it as a hanging ornament, punch a hole in one of the points and add a ribbon hanger.

Things You Will Need:

• Card stock
• Ruler
• Scissors
• Spray adhesive
• Wrapping paper scrap
• Craft glue
• Metallic glitter
• Two clothespins

What To Do:

1. Cut a 3 1/2-inch wide by 11-inch long strip from card stock. Apply spray adhesive to one side and place on the back of scrap wrapping paper. Press with your hands to bond the paper together. Trim the wrapping paper around the edges of the card stock strip.

   

2. Lay the strip on your work surface with the card stock side facing up. From left to right, make a mark every inch along one long edge. Measure down 1 1/2 inches from the same long edge and trace a line from one short end to the other. Starting 1/2 inch in from the left short end, make a mark every inch along the traced line. Working from the outer long edge to the traced long line, connect the first marks. This creates the beginnings of the crown points. Continue to connect the remaining marks into points. Note: The first point is half a point.

   

3. Cut out the points. If making several crowns, use the first cut crown as a pattern to trace around.

   

4. Apply a line of glue to the edges of the points and the remaining long edge. Add another line of glue halfway between the long edge and the points. Center dots of glue inside each point. Sprinkle with metallic glitter and allow the glue to dry. Once dry, gently shake off the excess glitter.

   

5. With the wrapping paper side facing up, apply craft glue to the end with the half-point. Place the other short end over the glue, matching the points. Clip with clothespins to hold. Allow the glue to dry.

   

Recycled Packaging

Handmade wrapping paper is a great project for recycling plain paper or wallpaper, using supplies you likely already have on hand. Creating ornaments with purchased paper lets you recycle unused ends or used paper you've unwrapped to make a new keepsake. Either way, these crafts are environmentally friendly and lots of fun to make!