Make Creative Gift Wrapping Paper with Kids
Make Creative Gift Wrapping Paper with Kids
Unique Paper Wrapper Ideas!
By Abigail Beal
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:
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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About the Author
Abigail Beal is the author of two 'zines Creative Crafts Teacher — for crafts teachers and Gift Wrap Goddess Wraps — all about gift wrap.
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source: http://kids.creativity-portal.com/
Everyone likes to see themselves in a photo, especially if it is with someone they love (like you) or is of a special time in their lives. Find a picture from the past and use that in your next gift idea. It will make the recipient feel special and show how sentimental you are, which is always good.
Remember those really funny moments you both shared? Yeah, like the time you and your best friend went to a baseball game and just as you were walking to your seats you slipped and your hot dog and soda went all over you just as the jumbo TV in the stadium had you on screen. Right, I know, not funny. But these funny memories are the best stories to tell. Include your special memories and funny stories, use a phrase or a picture that recalls the event. These memories never get old.
Maybe it's St. Patrick's Day, Valentine's Day or Halloween. Whichever holiday it is, it doesn't have to be celebrated only once a year.
Does the person have a favorite song or TV show? Do they have a favorite saying or quote that they are known for? 
You never know when the perfect gift will present (pun intended) itself. Be a careful observer, and take notice of expressions of desire when they say, "Oh, I just love this!" Go home and write it down or send it in an email to yourself so you don't forget. The fact that you noticed and remembered something that they expressed interest in will certainly be ‘big points’ in your favor.
Does the person have a favorite pet? Well get Fido involved! A gift that involves a pet is always guaranteed to bring a smile.
A splash of the person's favorite color can complete any gift idea. Think of their most used color or ask them what they like the best and build a gift around that theme. It will be seen as thoughtful and packed with meaning.
Simple words of love can add so much to a gift. You don't have to be Shakespeare to create a meaningful sentence, give it a try and you will be surprised.
Not just for real estate, but also for the creative gift giver that wants to add the element of surprise to their gift. Add excitement to the whole experience by placing your gift in a spot where the recipient will find it. The spot you choose can have something to do with the gift itself or the spot can relate directly to your relationship.
You don't have to give a gift only on designated holidays or occasions, sometimes the best days are the unexpected ones. Catch the person on a Monday or an early morning Sunday just waking up, any day you pick will be a good 'Just thinking of you' day!
Think of the person you are giving the gift to, do they have any hobbies or passions? Maybe they just completed a recent project that means a lot to them. Show them you support them and care for all that they are doing. Create a gift around that idea and work in the hobby, accomplishment or activity as much as possible.
We all know kids are on a tight budget. OK, they have no budget at all. Talk to a child in the life of the person you are getting the gift for and ask them what they would say or write and then work that into the gift.