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Making your own wrapping paper
is a fun activity that children or adults can do. With
some creativity you can create gift wrap that is unique
and different – everyone will know the gift is from you!
When making gift wrap with
children you will probably want to use either craft white
paper or craft brown paper (like the grocery bags). You
could even use the inside of a grocery bag if the gift is
small enough.
At several points depending
on your child’s age – they may need help. If your
child is not ready to cut with scissors, then manage all
of the scissor work and let them have fun gluing
everything. Remember to select non-toxic materials.
Consider all art materials toxic unless they say they are
non-toxic.
Stamping Shapes Paper: To
make this you can use either sponges or potatoes. The ease
with potatoes is they give children (and adults) a
“handle” to hold onto. Sponges are a little harder to
hold onto once they get wet, and your designs may not get
as clean and clear results.
Use tempura or acrylic
paint. Be sure with children to use non-toxic paint.
Remember with art materials that if they do not say they
are non-toxic, chances are they are toxic – so be aware
and stay safe.
Select your paint colors
and cut simple designs in your potatoes or sponges. Great
shapes include stars, hearts, arrows, lightning bolts,
circles, triangles, letters, numbers and smiley faces.
Help your children cut the designs depending on their age
level.
Lay the paper flat on a dry
and protected surface and stamp away with your potatoes or
sponges! Remember to put your design all over the paper so
that it shows all over your gift, not just one area of the
paper. Let it dry overnight before wrapping gifts.
Names or Shapes Paper: To
make this paper you will need several sheets of
fluorescent paper (8 ½ x 11”) is fine. You will also
need glue sticks and scissors.
Select a name or a shape
that you wish to do for your paper. Think about the size
of your gift, is it big? Is your gift small? If your gift
is big, then your letters or shapes can be bigger. If your
gift is small then your letters or shapes need to be
smaller.
If you are giving a
birthday gift it could be fun to write the birthday
child’s name. If it is a gift for Mom then you could
write Mom. Or consider writing a short message like
“Happy Birthday” if you have enough room.
Write boxy letters or cut
out shapes and glue them onto the paper. Write the name
and glue it onto the paper several times. Allow it to dry
overnight. Then wrap gift.
Picture Paper:
To make this paper you will
need magazines or newspapers. Catalogs such a flower
catalogs or children’s catalogs are also good. Comic
books are good for this also. You will need scissors and
glue stick.
Select a theme for your
paper. Are you going to cut out pictures of animals?
Cartoon characters? Flowers? Home images? Or are you going
to cut out words? Find the images and cut them out. Glue
them onto the paper. Allow it to dry and then wrap your
gift.
Special Message Paper:
This is good for most
children of any age. First select how large the gift will
be and cut the gift paper to size.
Select markers or crayons.
You are going to write a special message to the friend or
loved one to wish them a Happy Birthday or other good
wishes. Help your child select their message.
Write the message on the
paper. Now write the message again in other line with a
different color marker or crayon. Continue until the paper
is full. You can use medium to large handwriting –
actually any size handwriting is fine. Just continue until
the paper is completely filled. Let this paper dry before
wrapping the gift.
When you give the gift
remind the birthday child they need to read the Special
Message on the wrapping paper.
Feminine Doily Paper:
This is a cute gift
wrapping paper for a girl’s gift. This is also an easy
project to do with even most young children because it
only involves glue sticks.
To make this paper you will
need paper doilies, either white or metallic (your
choice). This project works best with the small doilies.
You will also need a glue stick.
Glue the doilies onto the
paper. Glue them in an even pattern all over the paper.
The doilies will give the gift wrapping a feminine look.
Once the doilies are dried, wrap the gift.
There are many other ideas
for gift wrap that are in your home and right in front of
your nose. Just use your imagination and you will find
many other ideas to use with your children. Happy
wrapping!
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