ALT-1 Gift Wrapping Ideas
Finding the perfect gift wrap for the right occasion can be hard sometimes. I used to spend hours or even days searching. It’s such a relief when the right gift wrap is finally found. I automatically throw it in my cart without checking the price. When I’m at the checkout counter, I see my order total pop up on the screen and my jaw drops. “Did you accidentally ring the gift wrap up twice?” I ask. “Um, no Ma’am, that’s the price for one.” I look down at the perfect, yet extremely overpriced roll of gift wrap and frown. “Alright, I guess I’m not going to take it” I say, and make my way home empty handed. That’s when I realized: I’m creative; I have papers and art supplies around the house just waiting to be used. I’m going to make my own gift wrap!
WARNING: This may get messy. Make sure to completely cover the surface you are working on to avoid staining.
Step 1: Scrimmage around the house for supplies.Find old newspapers, used gift wrap, colored folders, notebooks, posters (from a movie, band, TV show, photos, etc.)Find any art supplies you may have. For example glue (Elmer’s liquid or glue stick and a hot glue gun or Super Glue), Modge Podge (If you use Modge Podge you need a paintbrush to apply it with), sparkles, markers, paints (such as finger paints, water colors, puff paint, or whatever paint you may have laying around the house), scissors, whole punchers, stamps, stickers, gems, or even buttons.
Step 2: Pick what you want your gift wrap to look like.Do you want a collage/scrapbook look? Or you can always go with the classic holiday gift wrap. One of my favorites is what I like to call the “complimenting” gift wrap.
Before starting any of these gift wrapping projects it is important to make sure you have enough newspaper or poster to completely wrap the gift. Always make sure to have more than you think you need. You can always cut it when you’re ready to wrap the gift.
How to make the collage/scrapbook gift wrap:
Pick whatever photos, scraps of colored paper, or folders you want to use.Get out your glue and/or Modge Podge and paint brush.Spread your newspaper or poster (whatever you are using as your wrapping paper) and lay it down flat. TIP: The advantage of using a poster for this project is that you don’t need to cover the whole thing with photos and colored paper. You can leave spaces in between and it will still look good.Cut your colored paper/folders into different shapes and designs. If you want to you can also cut around the edges of your photos to make them into different shapes. Spread your glue or Modge Podge on the newspaper or poster and arrange your photos and cut up colored paper the way you want. If you are using Modge Podge, take your paintbrush and paint a thin layer on top of your work. After the top layer dries, you can even take gems or buttons and glue them on wherever you fancy. (In order for them to stick and not fall off you need to use a hot glue gun or Super Glue.)Let your gift wrap dry for a few hours. When it is completely dry, it’s time to wrap your gift!
How to make the holiday gift wrap:
Get out whatever color paints and markers you want to use.Spread your newspaper out flat.Paint the whole sheet of newspaper with one or more colors. Let it dry for at least an hour (depending on what kind of paint you have and how much you apply).When it is completely dry, take your markers and write “Happy holidays” or “Happy birthday” or whatever holiday you are making your gift wrap for. You can also draw designs like a birthday cake or a menorah or whatever coincides with your special occasion.Wrap your gift!
How to make the complimentary gift wrap:
Follow steps 1-3 from the holiday gift wrap.When it is completely dry, take your markers and write compliments and reasons why you like the person whom the gift is for. You can also draw designs like hearts or anything the person may like.Wrap your gift!
I love making my own gift wrap. It’s my favorite part of the gift giving process! Now I don’t have to search for the perfect gift wrap or worry about the prices. The most important advice I can give you for making your gift wrap is to just have fun. Happy wrapping!
