by A. Sc.

Created on: November 08, 2008   Last Updated: February 23, 2009

Creating your own, "green," gift wrapping paper is much more than just budget friendly, it's tons of fun. When it comes to something as diverse as gift wrapping, you're only limit is the size of your imagination. Keeping the projects earth friendly also means that your gifts give to more than just a single person, and help promise a better tomorrow for everyone.

Almost any flat item can be used as basic wrapping paper. Newspaper, magazines, clothing, fabric, posters and even junk mail! These mediums can be used as is to create a natural gift wrap, or dressed up into really fancy decorations.

Decoupage

The art of paper cutting is perfect for making wrapping paper. Use some glue and scissors to create your own modern art. Keep the design light and simple, or it will become too complicated to use for wrapping paper. Once the piece is dry, fold, tape and trim it just as you would to wrap any gift.

Stamps

Stamping is a quick and fun way to create almost any kind of pattern. You can use stamps from an art kit, or even make your own. If you slice an apple or potato in half, carve out a shape, and dip it in ink, you have a homemade stamp. Try food coloring, vegetable dyes or herbal dyes for an earth friendly way to add color.

Paints

Painting is the most obvious method for creating unique wrapping paper. Use string dipped in paint for stripes, lid caps for circles or pencil tips for polka dots. Get artistic and paint a stylized dragon on a single piece of paper. Use oil, water, string and paint for a tie-dyed effect.

Weaves

Paper weaving can be fun and easy, as long as you have a little patience. Use one large piece of paper with slits cut vertically as a base. Leave at least a one-inch, uncut, frame around the base paper. Take long, thin pieces of paper and weave them in and out of the base piece. Glue each end in place and let dry. You now have some very funky, woven, wrapping paper.

Bows

Wrapping paper is nothing without all the little bows and decorations that truly make a gift look enticing. You can use the same materials to make gift decorations as you did to make gift wrapping paper.

Cut a few paper circles about the same size as your hand. Pinch them together in the middle and push the ends together and up. You now have a basic paper flower to place on the corner of your present. Make two long, thin strips of paper or cloth and fold them over. Add a tiny tab in the middle and you have a bow.

Paper and fabric are also easy to cut special shapes out of. It only takes some crayons and a scissor to decorate a little girl's gift with big butterflies. Decorate the paper before use as a bow or butterfly to create truly stunning embellishments.

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