Have you ever felt bad throwing away all that pretty wrapping paper after opening gifts? I think we all have. What a waste of some of the prettiest papers around, right? I have often wondered what I might make with the leftover wrapping paper, but at Christmastime, my DIY mind sometimes goes blank. Fortunately, some of our favorite craft bloggers have come up with some super creative, crafty ideas for us all to share. Call me impressed. From making new little gift holders, to boxes, ornaments and cool home decor, you are sure to find a few fun things to make instead of throwing your wrapping paper away. All with easy to follow step by step tutorials, even kids will have fun with some of these cool DIY projects.
Fortunately, some of our favorite craft bloggers have come up with some super creative, crafty ideas for us all to share. Call me impressed. From making new little gift holders, to boxes, ornaments and cool home decor, you are sure to find a few fun things to make instead of throwing your wrapping paper away. All with easy to follow step by step tutorials, even kids will have fun with some of these cool DIY projects.
Leftover Wrapping Paper Crafts
1. Pyramid Paper Pouches
Tiny gifts have a wrapping problem, and handmade jewelry is the worst offender, since beaded earrings look like everyone some small coral big box. They turned out so gorgeous but I needed a clever DIY gift wrap to really top off this amazing gift. I found this DIY Pyramid paper pouch idea on Pinterest. I just got some origami paper and washi tape from Michael’s and they were so simple and fun to assemble. These DIY gift pouches are cheap and easy, you really can’t go wrong with this DIY project.
2. Patchwork Paper Origami Gift Boxes
DIY gift wrapping is my favorite thing in the world. These lidded origami gift boxes are based on a traditional Japanese design to which added a patchwork paper twist. This is a fun intermediate project for you and the children and they look amazing and my little ones are so good at origami, they can make these all day.
3. Wrapping Paper Mini Trees
Don’t you just love a DIY Christmas craft project that is so simple, so easy, and totally so uncomplicated that even the most DIY-challenged could execute it flawlessly. I used some foam cones I got at Michael’s craft store and literally pinned the stuff on them using straight pins. I used ribbon on some and wrapping paper on others. This DIY Christmas project is perfect for filling up table space at a large gathering.
5. Easy DIY Wrapped Ball Ornament
offbeatandinspired
As Christmas nears, I love driving around, while listening to Christmas music and trying to find the houses with the most outrageous lights and props displays. All of this ends the minute I enter my own house. The craziest Christmas decorating I do is probably putting up a tree with colored twinkle lights. Out of control, right? Well, that’s why I’ve decided to put a little more effort into my decorating this year. I wanted decorations that were totally Christmas-worthy but could also be used year-round. These DIY ball ornaments are incredibly cheap and easy to make. All you need are some styrofoam balls, an old catalog (or newspaper, or fabric), a hot glue gun and some string. In the tutorial below, I’ll walk you through how I made one out of the pages of a catalog! These DIY Christmas balls are recycled and amazing! 😉
6. Wrapping Paper Placemats
I recently helped my mom decorate 3 DIY holiday themed tables for a Christmas banquet. My favorite one was the wintery woodland themed table. In order to add some depth and interest to this table, I decided placemats were needed. But, on a small budget, I needed to find something reasonably priced. So, wrapping paper did the trick. I found this great woodgrain wrapping paper at Target. We added faux antlers and laid some silver ornaments here and there for extra sparkle, the feedback was resoundingly positive. You can’t go wrong with this DIY table setting, it will enhance any decor.
7. Wrapping Paper Festive Tray Liners
My Mom made a bunch of homemade candy this Christmas and I wanted to feature her delicious candy at our Christmas gathering. My approach to holiday decorating is pretty much like my approach to everything else – keep it simple but make a statement. I love those simple DIY ideas that just make something so much better. Case in point: turning plain white serving trays into festive holiday serving trays! I just lined them and they looked amazing! 😉
8. Paper Bows
Christmas is a perfect time to add a pretty little bow on your packages and party decor. For this template, I have included four sizes from the large bow that I used for my holiday decor to the tiny version that I used for the mini bow oil cloth rings, along with two sizes in between. These are outline templates that you can print onto your pretty paper, or print on cardstock and use to outline onto your paper. For those of you who have a cutting machine I am also including the SVG file to make these bows. Once you have your bows cut and ready to assemble, you can use the tutorial here.
11. Leftover Wrapping Paper Ornament
Do you love diy projects leftover wrapping paper? This leftover wrapping paper ornament idea is exactly the kind of thing I go looking for. The first time I tried this I rushed it, and it taught me that a little patience really does pay off here. It’s the kind of thing you can whip up without any fuss, especially with the wrapping paper ornament. The whole thing comes together with basic tools and ingredients, nothing fancy or hard to find. We’ve got the complete tutorial for you right at the link.
12. Wrapping Paper Baskets
I am a big fan of fun crafts, and this wrapping paper baskets idea is one of my favorites. I will admit I have messed this one up before by skipping a step I thought did not matter, so trust the process. This one always gets asked about when I bring it out. Even if you are newer to this, it is a forgiving one to start with. You can grab the whole recipe from Aredember at the link.
13. Giant Gift Rosettes
This giant gift rosettes idea is simple, quick, and exactly a clear how-to I keep coming back to. A friend of mine swears by doubling the batch, since it never seems to last as long as you think it will. Even on a busy night, this one is realistic to actually make. You can scale it up or down depending on how many people you are making it for. Get the full recipe from Lauraashley to see every step.
15. Stylish Drawer Liners
Stylish Drawer Liners – yes please. This one delivers on handmade goods without any fuss. My first attempt at this was not exactly picture perfect, but it still turned out great, which taught me not to stress over it. No fancy equipment needed, just a few basics you probably already have. Even if you are newer to this, it is a forgiving one to start with. Check out Makinghomebase’s full tutorial for all the details.
17. Wrapping Paper Chain
Whether it is a weeknight or a get-together, this wrapping paper chain idea fits right in if you love craft ideas. I almost skipped this one the first time around, and I am glad I did not, because it turned into a regular around here. It keeps well too, so it’s easy to make ahead of time. The whole thing comes together with basic tools and ingredients, nothing fancy or hard to find. You can grab the whole recipe from Handsonaswegrow at the link.
19. Easy Tiny Envelopes
Poppytalk nailed it with this easy tiny envelopes idea – easy crafts, no fuss. The first time I tried this I rushed it, and it taught me that a little patience really does pay off here. It’s the kind of thing you can whip up without any fuss, especially with the tiny envelopes. You can scale it up or down depending on how many people you are making it for. Head over to Poppytalk for the complete recipe.
20. DIY Paper Star Medallions
My family always askind of step by step instructions like this, and this diy paper star medallions idea is one we keep making. I will admit I have messed this one up before by skipping a step I thought did not matter, so trust the process. This one always gets asked about when I bring it out. The whole thing comes together with basic tools and ingredients, nothing fancy or hard to find. Check out Elli’s full tutorial for all the details.
21.Bookshelves Liner
Ever crave a fun DIY? This bookshelves liner idea is the one I keep going back to. A friend of mine swears by doubling the batch, since it never seems to last as long as you think it will. Even on a busy night, this one is realistic to actually make. Even if you are newer to this, it is a forgiving one to start with. Jewelsathome has the full step by step tutorial if you want to make it yourself.
22. Wrapping Paper Book Covers
I have always loved diy projects leftover wrapping paper, and this wrapping paper book covers idea is a great example why. I used to overthink this one, but it turns out the simple version is just as good as the fussy one. A little effort goes a long way with this one. You can scale it up or down depending on how many people you are making it for. You can grab the whole recipe from Eighteen25 at the link.
24. Origami Bows
Why make it complicated? This origami bows idea keeps an easy tutorial simple. I learned the hard way that rushing this one is not worth it, so give yourself the extra few minutes. It’s simple to put together and always turns out great, especially with the origami bows. Even if you are newer to this, it is a forgiving one to start with. Head over to Howaboutorange for the complete recipe.
25. Paper Pinwheels
Paper Pinwheels? Sign me up. This is handmade goods done right. I almost skipped this one the first time around, and I am glad I did not, because it turned into a regular around here. It keeps well too, so it’s easy to make ahead of time. You can scale it up or down depending on how many people you are making it for. Check out Celebrate Always’s full tutorial for all the details.
26. Paper Gift Bag
Here is a fun DIY, and I keep coming back to it year after year. This is one I originally made by accident, sort of, after improve someone. It comes together faster than you’d expect for how good it tastes. The whole thing comes together with basic tools and ingredients, nothing fancy or hard to find. Hellosandwich has the full step by step tutorial if you want to make it yourself.
27. Paper Mobile
From a quiet night in to a full house, this paper mobile idea works if you love fun crafts. The first time I tried this I rushed it, and it taught me that a little patience really does pay off here. It’s the kind of thing you can whip up without any fuss, especially with the paper mobile. Even if you are newer to this, it is a forgiving one to start with. You can grab the whole recipe from Alisaburke at the link.
28. Wall Of Love
Try this wall of love idea next time you’re after a clear how-to. I will admit I have messed this one up before by skipping a step I thought did not matter, so trust the process. This one always gets asked about when I bring it out. You can scale it up or down depending on how many people you are making it for. Get the full recipe from Minted to see every step.
29. Paper Scrap Light
Designsponge really knows a fun DIY, and this paper scrap light idea shows it. A friend of mine swears by doubling the batch, since it never seems to last as long as you think it will. Even on a busy night, this one is realistic to actually make. The whole thing comes together with basic tools and ingredients, nothing fancy or hard to find. Head over to Designsponge for the complete recipe.
30. Paper Lanterns
secondsguru
Around here, this paper lanterns idea disappears fast whenever I make fun crafts. I used to overthink this one, but it turns out the simple version is just as good as the fussy one. A little effort goes a long way with this one. Even if you are newer to this, it is a forgiving one to start with. The complete step by step version is linked above.
31. Origami Cad Holder
Looking for a clear how-to that actually works? This origami cad holder idea is it. My first attempt at this was not exactly picture perfect, but it still turned out great, which taught me not to stress over it. No fancy equipment needed, just a few basics you probably already have. You can scale it up or down depending on how many people you are making it for. Origami Instructions has the full step by step tutorial if you want to make it yourself.
32. Wrapping Paper Snowflakes
I will admit it, I am obsessed with a fun DIY, and this wrapping paper snowflakes idea proves it. I learned the hard way that rushing this one is not worth it, so give yourself the extra few minutes. It’s simple to put together and always turns out great, especially with the wrapping paper snowflakes. The whole thing comes together with basic tools and ingredients, nothing fancy or hard to find. You can grab the whole recipe from Handsonaswegrow at the link.
