Make Your Own Wrapping Paper: Beautiful Holiday Gift Wrap DIYs

This post shares ideas for how to make your own wrapping paper, including beautiful holiday gift wrap DIYs! Oriental Trading provided the materials to complete this project.

Make Your Own Wrapping Paper: Beautiful Holiday Gift Wrap DIYs

Did you see my post last week about 5 tips for holiday decorating on a budget? If you’re a crafty guy or gal, number 5—homemade gift wrap—is right up your alley. That’s what I’m talking about today.

And don’t think that pretty custom gift wrap is just for real presents—you can use it as a cheap and easy decor idea, too. Just grab some old boxes (if you have Amazon Prime you probably have approximately 1,000 at any given time) and to create some budget-friendly holiday decor pieces.

I teamed up with Oriental Trading to chat about how to make your own wrapping paper by putting together five beautiful holiday gift wrap DIYs. Although Oriental Trading sent me some of the craft supplies I used during this project fo free, all experiences are my own. I’ve also linked to the supplies I used from Oriental Trading below so that you can grab them for yourself!

Here’s what I used:

• Plain brown paper, other neutral wrapping paper, and brown paper bags
• Black and white paint with various paint brushes
• Burlap, black sheer, and gold ribbon; gold twine
• Metallic washi tape
• Natural elements like pine needles, rosemary sprigs, pine cones
• Scissors, tape, small paper bowls for paint

And here’s how to make your own wrapping paper.

*Note: I suggest wrapping the presents first, then customizing the wrapping paper. That way you can see exactly where your design is going!

1. Create a Painted Dipped Look

Use painter’s tape to tape off one side of your gift. Use scrap paper to cover the side you don’t want painted. After painting, remove the tape to reveal the dipped design. I also added burlap ribbon to this package.

2. Paint Splatter Wrapping Paper

This one is messy! Take your present outdoors, or lay down a drop cloth. Put paint on your brush and flick it onto the present. Let dry. I love how easy this technique is, but it’s really cool. And every present you do will be a bit different.

3. Simple Brushed Designs on Paper

Even if you aren’t a painter, simple brushed designs look lovely, especially on the brown paper. Trees, stockings, candy canes, and various stars are all pretty easy to do. To get a “brushed” look, avoid putting too much paint on your brush. Dab off extra paint on a paper towel.

For more holiday inspiration, check out my simple holiday home tour, my 7 ideas for clear ball Christmas ornament DIYs, my marbled clay tree ornaments, my paint stirrer Christmas tree ornaments, and my dried orange slice garland, and my scented pine cone potpourri!

4. Make Your Own Washi Tape Wrapping Paper

Use metallic washi tape to create designs on packages or paper bags. You can create geometric designs, or you can treat the Washi tape like it’s ribbon by wrapping it around the present and sticking it in place.

You can also use Washi tape on gift bags to customize them and add more interest. Bonus points for double up two techniques on a paper bag: Washi tape and simple brushed designs.

5. Use Natural Embellishments

Tuck small pine branches, rosemary sprigs, and pinecones into your ribbons for a beautiful, natural look. You can tie pinecones in place, or you can glue them.

Share my ideas for how to make your own wrapping paper on Pinterest!