Don’t toss that leftover gift wrapping paper! Explore creative and frugal ways to repurpose it in our latest post. From DIY crafts to home decor, discover clever ideas to make the most of your leftover wrapping paper. Reduce waste and embrace the art of upcycling with these practical suggestions!
With Christmas right around the corner, most of us will soon have rooms full of used wrapping paper and closets full of unused rolls. It seems such a shame to throw out the used stuff or to let the unused sit until the next holiday season. Throwing away old wrapping paper rolls or scraps is a huge waste and one that I simply can’t justify.
Finding ways to use leftover gift wrap may seem harder than it is. After all, when you have wrapped a gift and it has been ripped open, it can be hard to look at a wrinkled piece of paper to see anything new. These ideas are perfect for both used and unused paper, but I will say that some will work best with unused. No matter which you choose to do though, it is better to upcycle the paper and the cardboard tube if you can than to simply toss it.
These ideas can be used with both Christmas wrapping paper or regular gift paper. As with the used/unused thing from above, some of these ways to use leftover gift wrapping paper will work best with Christmas themes while others will work with any. Ultimately, it is your project and your choice.
How do you use leftover wrapping paper for crafts?
Most wrapping paper is perfect for reusing. After all, it beautiful paper designed to catch the eye. With a few embellishments and some time, you can turn what would normally be waste into something your family can enjoy every holiday for years to come. There are so many different creative ideas you could do! Below, I’ve picked out my favorites for you!
Make Christmas ornaments
Homemade Christmas ornaments look amazing on a Christmas tree and are a great way to use leftover wrapping paper. Cut or fold the paper into the shape you want, add ribbons, and back it with cardboard or card stock. Use a hole puncher to add a hole at the top then a piece of twine to use as a hanger and decorate away!
Make homemade Christmas cards
Grab somecard stock and glue wrapping paper to one side. Fold in half and write a meaningful Christmas or holiday message inside with a prettygel pen.Use them as homemade Christmas cards instead of buying them.
Make paper dolls
Paper dolls were a huge “toy” back in the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s and one of the cutest ways to use leftover wrapping paper is to use it to make paper dolls! How fun would it be to show your little ones how you or their grandparents played? They’re great for homeschooling families to add to unit studies!
To do so, simply cut your wrapping paper in the shape of a doll and back with cardstock or cardboard. If you need help getting started, a paper doll template book can help.
Use as shipping paper
If you’ve been selling items you no longer need on ebay or other marketplaces, you probably ship a lot of items. Use leftover wrapping paper to wrap your shipped items in or add some padding to your boxes.
Make paper bows
Another great way to use leftover gift wrap is to makeleftover wrapping paper bows with it. Youtube is full of tutorials for those wanting to learn how to make them easily.
Make a Christmas garland
Another one of my favoritecrafts with wrapping paper scraps is to make a paper garland or bunting. Simply cut your wrapping paper into triangles and back withcard stock. Attach jute rope or twine to the back and hang across your mantle. They also make cute paper chains like you probably made as a child.
Make homemade envelopes
Making homemade envelopes is a great way to use up your leftover gift wrap. There are a lot of different envelope styles you can make too! Creative Green Living has a great tutorial on making homemade paper envelopes.
Make Christmas stars
Another paper craft you can do with your wrapping paper is to make homemade Christmas stars. You can use them as wall decor, hang them from the ceiling or as Christmas tree ornaments.
Straighten out and reuse next year
The simplest way to use leftover wrapping paper is to straighten it out if possible and reuse it. It’s such a simple idea that a lot of folks overlook it. I am known for doing this with gift bags. I have some we’ve been using for years and they still look amazing!
Make Christmas decoupage
If you have a decorative box, use your wrapping paper scraps to add a layer or decoupage or to change the decor on it. You only need wrapping paper and Mod Podge. Spread a thin layer of glut onto the box and press your wrapping paper to it evenly. Allow it to dry then cut or burn the excess paper away
Cut or rip up for kids art projects
Cut or rip up wrapping paper scraps and hand your kids a bottle of Elmer’s School glue. Let them make paper projects using the scraps. It would be super fun to see what different scenes they could come up with using nothing but wrapping paper!
What crafts can I make with leftover gift wrap?
Using leftover gift wrap for crafts is a great way to use it up so you aren’t wasting the money you spent on it. It’s perfect for your next DIY project or kids craft because it’s otherwise headed to the trash or recycling bins! Use it to make party decor, home decor, kids crafts and even art projects!
Make paper confetti
Celebrating something soon? Use gift wrap scraps to make confetti! This would be perfect if you’re trying to plan a wedding on a budget, having a birthday party or for New Years Eve! You could cut the confetti by hand by using herb scissors, a shaped hole punch or you could use a cross cut paper shredder to make things much easier on your hands.
Use it to wrap Christmas decorations
One of the ways to use newspaper is to wrap your fragile glass items in them and guess what? Wrapping paper works the same as newspaper! When you pack your Christmas tree and other decorations, wrap your fragile decorations in your leftover wrapping paper to help protect them.
Make homemade streamers
It might seem silly, but there are quite a fewdecorating ideas with wrapping paper that you wouldn’t normally think about. Making homemade streamers out of strips of leftover wrapping paper is one of them. Cut your wrapping paper into long strips, twist and hang like you wouldtissue paper streamers!
Refurbish an old bookshelf or night table
If you have an old bookshelf, filing cabinet or night stand sitting around you can use leftover gift wrapping paper to refurbish it. Usecraft glueto line shelves or drawers and add a coat ofchalkboard paint to the outside to give it a new look!
Use it as contact paper
If you need a drawer or cabinet lined, use wrapping paper that has been covered with apuzzle glueto protect the top of the paper. Use a strong glue to attach the homemade drawer liners to your drawer or cabinet.
Create wrapping paper wall decor
When you think of upcycled home decor, you don’t automatically think ofwrapping paper wall art, but take some pieces of wrapping paper and add them to differently sized photo frames and you have beautiful decor that can easily be changed with the season!
Make a paper Christmas tree
Another great paper craft you could do with wrapping paper is to make a paper Christmas tree. Roll individual pieces of wrapping paper and tape the sides. Then attach your wrapping paper to atomato cage in a way that looks like a Christmas tree. Its a super simple homemade Christmas decoration!
Make a paper snowman
Do you have leftover plastic pumpkins from Halloween? Cover them with the white side of wrapping paper and use the colored sides to decorate. Attach three pumpkins to each other and you’ve got cute wrapping paper snowmen!
Make Book Covers
Remember being in school and having to cover your textbooks? Don’t buy those expensivebook covers to do it with. Use leftover wrapping paper to cover it. You can change it with the seasons or use a design that isn’t holiday specific.
Make gift tags
I haven’t bought gift tags in years because I simply use wrapping paper scraps. Cut them into squares, fold in half, write your message in and use tape to attach it.
Make wrapping paper flowers
You’ve heard of tissue paper flowers, but why not make wrapping paper flowers? The process would be the same as it is for tissue paper flowers HERE in our floral spring wreath tutorial.
Make wrapping paper pom poms
Don’t stop at flowers though. Use your leftover wrapping paper to learn how to make wrapping paper pom poms that you can use to decorate with too.
Use as scrapbook paper
Scrapbook paper can be pricey but leftover wrapping paper is free! Use it to decorate your scrapbooks instead of paying for the more expensive stuff!
Make homemade placemats
If you love to change your placemats out with the season, using wrapping paper to make wrapping paper placemats is a really frugal way to do so! Simply glue your wrapping paper to a piece of cardboard cut to a placemat size. Let it dry fully then use a laminating machine to laminate them so they’re durable and easily cleaned.
Make homemade drink coasters
Not only can you use wrapping paper to make placemats, but you can also make homemade coasters. You can get a full tutorial for making decoupage coasters HERE.
Use as Easter “grass”
Why spend money on Easter “grass” for your kids Easter baskets? Instead, run some leftover wrapping paper through apaper shredder and use that! Your kids won’t notice the difference and you’ll save a bit of cash.
Make homemade bookmarks
Like with homemade placemats, you can also make homemade bookmarks as a wrapping paper craft. Again, cut to size and add to cardboard. Laminate and you’re good to go!
Make homemade gift bags
You have wrapping paper. Why would you spend money on a gift bag? Instead, learn how to make homemade gift bags with wrapping paper and you’ll save yourself some cash!
Make papier-mâché
Remember crafting with papier-mâché when you were a kid? Use your leftover wrapping paper to make a no-cook papier-mâché recipe and turn your kids loose!
Make Snowflakes
One of my favorite crafts with wrapping paper to do with kids is to make a simple snowflake! Cut your leftover papers in squares, fold and let your littles usesafety scissors to cut our their own designs.
Use as a Christmas door covering
We’ve all seen thoseplastic door covers for Halloween or Christmas. Use leftover wrapping paper instead of buying one. Your front door will look just as cute and you won’t be spending money you don’t need to be spending.
Make an upcycled wreath
Grab awire wreath form and roll your leftover wrapping paper scraps into cone shapes or fold them into Christmas stars. Attach them to your wreath form to make a cute upcycled wreath.
Make paper Christmas tree chains
Every kid loves making paper Christmas chains to go the Christmas tree and leftover wrapping paper is great for making them!
Make papercrete
Have you ever heard of papercrete? It’s like concrete but made out of paper! It’s super strong and can be made into bricks that can be used for building, fireplaces and more! HERE is a great tutorial for making papercrete bricks.
Make homemade magnets
Grab somecraft magnets and some laminated wrapping paper and make homemade refrigerator magnets with your leftover wrapping paper.
Make animal bedding
If you have small caged animals like guinea pigs or a rabbit, shred your leftover wrapping paper and use it as animal bedding. Just be sure you shred and roll it so the pieces are too big for your animals to handle. This works best with kraft paper that’s been used with wrapping paper as heavily dyed paper may be dangerous for your pets.
Line cat litter boxes
One of the ways to keep your litter box clean is to line it with newspaper. Fortunately, leftover wrapping paper works just as well. Cut it to fit the litter box then line it with several layers of wrapping paper. Add your litter on top. This will help keep the box itself a bit cleaner making changing the litter easier.
