by Ruth Belena

Created on: November 18, 2010   Last Updated: November 29, 2010

Wrapping paper scraps can be useful for a number of inexpensive craft ideas. Scrapbooking is probably the most obvious way of using wrapping paper scraps, but when you have gathered a big collection of unused wrapping paper scraps, you should find plenty of other ways in which to use these. You can start making a lot of useful and decorative items out of your wrapping paper scraps.

Handmade greetings cards

A square or rectangular piece of wrapping paper can be glued to the front of a plain folded card, folded down the middle, to become an instant greetings card. Shiny metallic paper can be used as background for additional shapes and cutout figures. Wrapping paper with wording printed all provide suitable greetings to stick inside hand made cards, or to paste on the front. Cult images cut out from wrapping paper scraps, such as a Disney character or a famous logo, can be made to feature in a scene on the front of a handmade greetings card. 

Handmade gift tags

Scraps of wrapping paper can be cut and glued onto small pieces of card, then folded in two or with a hole punched through and a cotton tie inserted into the hole.

Handmade wrapping paper

Scraps can be glued onto larger sheets of plain white or colored paper to create a unique pattern or a composite design. Your newly created wrapping paper could feature a theme made up of images from different scraps, or it could be made up of seasonal greetings, whatever is most appropriate for the type of gift you want to give.

Photo albums

Wrapping paper scraps from wedding gifts or christening gifts can become part of the memory of that special day. These scraps can be used to decorate pages in a photo album. Some of them could also be pasted onto the album cover, or used for the corners of pages in a special scrapbook. 

Wall coverings and decorative collages

A big collection of wrapping paper scraps could be used to cover an entire wall, in place of wallpaper. Smaller collages can be made from scraps and framed. Suitable scraps could be glued onto small boxes or placed on items of furniture that can be varnished over.

Wrapping paper scraps can be cut to any shape and do not have to be cut around images or logos. Plain, striped or patterned paper, and any design of foil can be cut up and used to form bigger images, or to create an abstract design.  

Any wrapping paper that is removed carefully from gifts you receive can be added to your collection of unused scraps. Your own craft ideas will depend on your own imagination. If you have an innovative mind you will find that saving unused wrapping paper provides you with some great craft ideas.

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