Make Your Own Wrapping Paper

What You Need:

• Newspaper
• Old calendar pages
• Old pillowcases
• Coffee cans
• Decorated paper
• Maps
• Waxed paper art

What You Do:

Newspaper:

• This one's a classic, but for good reason! The crisp black and white paper looks top-notch when wrapped around a box and tied with pretty colored ribbon. Have your little one search for their favorite pages to use, and suggest that they turn to the inside pages or the classifieds if they like the appearance of words over pictures.

Old Calendar Pages:

• Out with the old; in with the new! Instead of just tossing away your old agenda or calendar pages, invite your child to use them to make creative wrapping paper. Small gifts can be wrapped using just one calendar page, or they can layer and tape calendar pages together to wrap larger presents.

Old Pillowcases:

• Pillowcases are a particularly pretty way to wrap up presents. Recipients will be impressed that your child has covered their presents with cloth, but there's very little effort involved. Show your child how to use the pillowcases as they would paper (fold and tape them into place), or simply put their gift inside the case and tie it up with a pretty bow!

Coffee Cans:

• If your family drinks a lot of coffee, this one is a no-brainer! Those shiny silver cylinders are perfect for gifts on the smaller side—just clean them out, have your child slip their gift inside, and pop on the lid. Finish it off with a festive ribbon and wait for the family's "oohs" and "ahhs"!

Decorated Paper:

• Big rolls of brown paper are great for various art projects and are generally inexpensive. If you have one lying around, invite your child to have at it! They will gain valuable wrapping practice with this easy-to-work-with paper, an activity that is very beneficial for their motor skill development. Gifts look great wrapped in the neutral paper alone, but sponging or stenciling on bright paint will really liven them up!

Maps:

• When you cross a state line or visit a national landmark, free maps are often provided at the visitor's center. Start hoarding these, as they make interesting (and informative!) wrapping paper. Have your child wrap up a gift for someone who loves to travel, and their present will be a double-whammy!

Waxed Paper Art:

• This one requires slightly more effort, but it's worth it in the end! Ask your child to collect an assortment of flower petals and leaves; a greater variety makes for more interesting packaging. Pull out the ironing board, spread a plain cloth on top of it, and place a sheet of waxed paper on top of that. Invite your child to scatter the petals and leaves until they are happy with the way they look. Put the second sheet of waxed paper over the arrangement, and help them carefully press the iron across the paper. The heat of the iron glues the sheets of waxed paper together, creating adorable floral wrapping paper!