Do you hate the idea of being wasteful during the holidays? Or do you hate spending all that money on paper? We love creating our own DIY Christmas wrapping paper. Here are 17+ creative ideas for you to try. Don’t worry a lot of these DIY wrapping ideas can be used at any time of the year, too!
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Adding your own unique prints to butcher paper, brown bags or other plain paper is a sure way to add fun to gifts for your family.
Why make your own homemade wrapping paper?
Besides it being awesome from the environment, you can add your own personalized touches and involve the whole family. Our young daughter is always wanting to help be involved in all things DIY (which of course we love).
It can be fun for the whole family and the gift recipient will appreciate the extra homemade touch (especially if children are involved). You can use whatever supplies you have on hand to create DIY wrapping paper and homemade Christmas cards. There are endless possibilities when it comes to adding a DIY element to wrapping paper.
What is butcher paper?
Butcher paper is just another name for brown kraft paper. You can buy it rolls from Michaels, Large Home Improvement stores or even the Dollar Store.
While a nice roll of paper is nice to start with you can always deconstruct a brown paper bag. Not only will it save you money but is a much nicer eco-friendly way to create DIY wrapping paper.
What can you use instead of butcher paper to create homemade wrapping paper?
For a lot of these wrapping paper examples, we cut apart old brown paper bags we had lying around. This works especially well for smaller gifts. Just note that a brown paper bag will be a little more wrinkled than your typical brown kraft paper roll.
How to cut apart a brown paper bag to make wrapping paper?
- Cut down the side seam.
- Cut off the bottom and open.
Creative DIY Christmas Wrapping Ideas
- Add fake foliage: you can either spray paint it of keep it natural
- Add a twig, pinecone and twine for a rustic look
- Create a fun nametag: consider using Mod Podge and glitter on cheap wooden embellishments
- Add ribbon, twine, or yarn (check out the yarn Christmas tree)
- Create a pattern by drawing simple holiday items (presents, abstract trees, etc.)
- Print or stamp natural items
- Use stamps and paint or ink to create a patterned DIY wrapping paper
- Reuse items you already have on hand (for example wrap a present in a dish towel)
- Add stickers to create a pattern
- Reuse old brown bags instead of buying new Kraft paper
- Use gold or silver paint markers
- Create fun abstract art with liquid watercolors
- Use washi tape to add designs
- Use a pencil eraser or wine cork to create a polka dot pattern
- Create repeated face design on a digital platform like Canva
- Create DIY Calligraphy paper
- Repurpose different papers like phonebook pages
- Add a fun homemade Christmas card or tag
DIY Christmas Wrapping Ideas
17+ DIY wrapping paper ideas to add a personal touch this Christmas. Most of these look gorgeous on brown butcher paper but can be modified for any taste.
DIY Reindeer Wrapping Paper
Use a reindeer stamp to create unique and handmade wrapping paper for this Christmas. Simple and easy enough to get unique and budget-friendly wrapping.
DIY Leaf Print Wrapping Paper Out Of Brown Paper Bags
Use natural elements like leaves to make natural leaf prints. This easy and simple print technique looks great on brown butcher paper.
Use Letter Stickers To Add A Special Message
Keep the wrapping simple or even just reuse those brown paper bags. Add a personalized message using fun glittery stick-on letters. I am sure kids would love to find their own names!
Get Creative With Yarn
This yarn Christmas tree is a super cute way to modernize those brown bags or craft paper. Don't think you can pull off a Christmas tree, then consider just using different colors of yarn to wrap your present.
Simple DIY Holiday Lunch Sack Wrapping
Buy a premade stamp or make your own and add character to a simple brown lunch bag. We love the idea of using simple materials as a creative DIY wrapping idea.
Sponge Painted Christmas Lights Wrapping Paper
This is a super simple way to add a little holiday flair to your DIY Christmas wrapping paper. I think I love this idea if I get to let my little ones finger paint the lights. Not only will it be cute, but personal as well.
DIY Glitter Striped Gift Wrapping Paper Tutorial
Use double-sided tape and glitter to create this fun DIY holiday wrapping idea. If you are a little scared of glitter everywhere (and who isn't), then you could even do the same concept with Washi tape.
DIY Phonebook Wrapping Paper
Do you have an old phone book laying around and hate to just throw it away? Here is a fun painted wrapping paper idea to help you repurpose that paper. Involve the whole family and get painting.
Easiest DIY Polka Dot Wrapping Paper
Use circle stickers to create unique polka dot wrapping paper out of brown paper bags. This is honestly one of the easiest DIY wrapping paper ideas.
Simple and Classic DIY Christmas Wrapping
Not all Christmas or holiday wrapping ideas have to be green and red. Keep it simple and consider a plan color for the wrapping paper and then just adding cardboard tags. We love the texture of these cardboard stockings.
Repeated Word Wrapping Paper
Recycle those old brown bags and get creative with a gold or silver paint marker. This simple idea is a perfect way to personalize your gift wrapping cheaply.
Simple Santa Gift Bags - Creative Gift Wrap Idea
This super simple Santa bag won't take you very long to make. Buy red canvas bags and have some fun! If you have a glue gun, then you will be all set. You could make these in various sizes and use them from year to year.
Create A 3-D Folded Paper Tree
Fold green cardstock to create a fun 3-dimensional Christmas tree embellishment on your gifts.
DIY Wrapping Paper - Fingerprint Reindeer
Just like the string light fingerprint idea, here is an easy reindeer your little one can make out their fingerprints.
Stamped DIY Wrapping Paper That Makes an Impact!
Another vote for stamps on brown kraft. Don't feel you have to use paint, as an ink pad will do just as well. Add a fun, DIY and glittery wooden ornament to personalize the packing.
DIY Holiday Wrapping Paper Using Gel Pens
Use gel pens to create fun and easy drawings on brown paper and more. We love the look of the repeated white presents on the black paper.
Kraft Paper, Ribbons and Dollar Store Embellishments
Use fun ribbon and add a little winter foilage to your projects. If you really want this to be a complete DIY project, you could also buy cheap florals and spray paint them to get the look you want.
DIY Wrapping Paper For Christmas Gift Wrap
Use a Silhouette Mint to create your own awesome and customized stamps for your DIY holiday wrapping. Yet another time stamping and butcher paper created some awesome Christmas wrapping.
Easy Christmas Gift Wrapping
We love paint markers (here is our favorite) and this easy Christmas wrapping idea is sure to show why. They are opaque enough to cover up the patterns on the paper to create a fun faux ribbon. No need to spend money on expensive ribbons this year.
FAQs
Think about reusing and recycling items you already have. You can use old children’s artworks, calendars or newspapers. We also love the look of brown paper. You can use old paper bags or decorate new brown kraft paper.
Our favorite way to wrap gifts cheaply is to make homemade wrapping paper from brown paper bags. You can paint designs, add stickers, create DIY prints or use paint markers to create a personalized gift wrap. Add your own homemade watercolor card or gift tag for a truly personalized gift.
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