‘There is nothing more heartfelt than a piece of hand-printed wrap. It feels good (and saves money) to have made your own. After all, if you give someone a present wrapped in a piece of paper you’ve made, it’s already special before they’ve opened it! You can also make simple, hand-printed cards,’ says block printer and fabric designer Molly Mahon. Not only is making gift wrap fun and great to do with kids, but it can also be a lovely mindful activity to do in the busy run-up to Christmas. Whether you want Christmas gift-wrapping ideas to tie in with your Christmas decor to bring wow factor to the foot of your tree, or you simply want to get stuck into some Christmas crafting, these DIY gift wrap makes are guaranteed to inspire.
How to make gift wrap
How to make gift wrap
If you’re wondering how to make gift wrap and how to wrap gifts, the great thing is that the options really are endless, it is a wonderful way to experiment with creative ideas and different techniques. Below we’ve gathered an array of our favorite ideas for DIY wrap and tips on how to decorate wrapping paper from festive designs to beautiful botanical creations for all seasons and occasions.
1. Potato print gift wrap
1. Potato print gift wrap
Potato printing is a simple and effective way to create gift wrap with a folksy feel, plus is a fun activity to do with kids. You will need: Plain brown craft paper or wallpaper lining paper Potatoes – such as baking potatoes or King Edwards Washable paint – used above is Chalk Paint from Annie Sloan (opens in new tab). Printing tray Craft sponges Method
2. Paint leaves to make paper
2. Paint leaves to make paper
Print paper using leaves collected on a walk to create beautiful paper with botanical charm. The great thing about this technique is it will work for every occasion. The key to success, as with any printing method, is to not overload your leaf or stamp with paint, use just enough to ensure the detail of the veining and texture comes through in the print. Try practising beforehand on scrap paper to work out what coverage is best. You will need: Leaves with interesting shapes Washable paint Stencil brush Wallpaper roller Kitchen towel Method:
3. Stencil on fabric bags
3. Stencil on fabric bags
Decorated fabric goodie bags make a lovely alternative to a stocking. They can be reused year after year making them wonderfully sustainable. You will need Plain drawstring cotton gift bag(s) Fabric paint Stencils Sponge stippler or stencil brush Method
4. Block print gift wrap
4. Block print gift wrap
To block print gift wrap follow the same process as potato printing but instead of using a potato use a carved wooden block. There are lots of places to buy pre-carved blocks including from Molly Mahon who has Christmas wrapping block print gift sets (opens in new tab) that include plain wrapping paper, card sets and gift tags, plus water-based, Soil Association-approved paints, stipplers, and three Christmas-themed block prints.
5. Elevate plain paper
5. Elevate plain paper
Use a date stamp and ink to create simple but effective 25th December Christmas paper. Get creative and use the stamp in different ways to create an array of patterns, from simple checks to stars. Alternatively, you could alter the date to create personalized birthday gift wrap.
6. Customize wrapped gifts with washi tape
6. Customize wrapped gifts with washi tape
7. Use reusable fabric wraps
7. Use reusable fabric wraps
8. Paint gift boxes
8. Paint gift boxes
Gift boxes are a practical solution for delicate gifts that make get damaged. Give plain gift boxes a personal touch by painting them with different designs. The beauty of these is that they can be reused as decorative storage boxes. If you are thinking of doing this then be sure to choose gift boxes that are sturdy and uncoated – water-based paint will not be able to adhere to plastic-coated surfaces.
9. Embellish gift wrap with pom poms
9. Embellish gift wrap with pom poms
Decorating plain gift paper with mini pom poms is a fun and simple idea which works really well with cards, too. They look great on their own but can also be used to add a flourish to certain designs – for example, you could print paper with reindeer stamps and fix on red pom poms to create Rudolph’s nose. Adults could use a glue gun to do this, alternatively try PVA if you’re crafting with children. Depending on the shape of the gift and how many pom poms you want to add, it may be best to do this after the gift has been wrapped.
10. Reuse old papers
10. Reuse old papers
If you don’t have time to print or customize gift wrap then try reusing old papers such as sheet music or wallpaper offcuts. Old sheet music can often be picked up in charity shops or at yard sales and will give gifts a vintage feel – continue the eco theme by decorating with fabric ribbon.
11. Spruce up brown paper
11. Spruce up brown paper
Brown paper is a classic way to bring a rustic look to gift wrapping plus it is hugely versatile. For a simple look add a spring of Christmas foliage and bind with a few wraps of string, or decorate the paper using a premade rubber stamp and ink pad – Cambridge Imprint (opens in new tab) has a lovely selection. Alternatively, opt for plain gift wrap and go all out with a beautiful handmade keepsake tag – this can be done at home using air drying clay or polymer clay such as Fimo.
How do you make your own wrapping paper?
How do you make your own wrapping paper?
There are many ways to make your own gift wrapping paper – one of the most popular is to print patterns onto brown craft paper or wallpaper lining paper using wooden blocks and paint or with rubber stamps and ink. There are plenty of pre-made festive blocks and stamps available to buy online for making Chrismtas gift wrap, ‘or if you want to make everything yourself, you can carve a printing block from a decent-sized potato using a biscuit cutter, which come in all sorts of festive shapes – it couldn’t be simpler,’ suggests block printer and designer Molly Mahon (opens in new tab).
What can I use if I don’t have gift wrapping paper?
What can I use if I don’t have gift wrapping paper?
If you don’t have any gift wrapping paper then brown craft paper can easily be decorated or customized to make gift wrap, or you could try using old papers like wallpaper off-cuts or old sheet music. Alternatively use gift bags in fabric or paper, or try decorating a gift box.
