How to Make Homemade Gift Wrapping Paper

For a special touch that adds warmth and personality to any gift, try homemade wrapping paper. It's quick and easy and a fun activity to do with kids. Making it ahead of time is a great rainy day craft, and you won't be stuck with a gift bag for those short-notice presents.

Things You'll Need

• Rolls of white, colored or butcher paper
• Old magazines or cards
• Stamps, sponges or potatoes
• Paints
• Markers
• Glue stick
• Scissors
• Plastic storage tub
• Gallon-size zipper bags
• Paper plates
• Paper towels

Instructions

Get Ready

1. Look at craft stores for rolls of plain white or colored paper. Brown paper such as butcher paper is also a fun choice and offers a neat look.

2. Cut pictures out of old magazines or cards. Sort the cutouts into holidays like birthday and Christmas or into categories like hobbies, girls, boys, flowers, shopping or animals. Label a gallon-size zippered plastic bag with each category for easy storage.

3. Find fun stamps or make some out of old sponges or potatoes. Stamps with handles are good choices for younger children and simple shapes make the best wrapping paper. Find a variety to fit with different holidays and categories.

4. Keep a supply of markers, scissors, glue sticks and paint on hand. Store them in a plastic tub along with the stamps and pictures.

Make the Gift Wrapping Paper

1. Lay out a sheet of paper that either fits the package you want to wrap or use a large sheet so it can be cut and used for multiple wrappings. To keep from rolling up, hold the edges down with canned food.

2. Put a small amount of paint on a paper plate for stamping. Dip stamps in the paint, making sure to not put too much on. If too much paint is on the stamp or sponge, simply rub it off with a paper towel.

3. Stamp in a random pattern all over the paper. Turn the stamp in different directions, change the color to a lighter shade and overlay the stamps slightly for a layered effect.

4. Use paints or markers to personalize the paper with names or messages, writing or drawing in random patterns and turning the direction of the writing so it can be read from any angle.

5. Place pictures in a random pattern all over the paper. Once you find a pattern that is pleasing to the eye, attach each one using a glue stick. Make sure the glue goes all the way to the edge of the picture to prevent it from peeling up.

6. Allow the homemade gift-wrapping paper to dry before rolling it back up or wrapping a present. To store, secure the roll with a rubber band and slide it in a scrap piece of paper, indicating what type of gift-wrapping paper you've made.