Homemade Wrapping Paper- the Tissue Paper Way

My kids adore giving gifts. Sometimes being the giver is almost more fun than getting a present yourself. Wrapping it up in homemade wrapping paper is extra special touch for that just right gift your kiddo has picked out!

I love the effort and joy that kids put into picking out the just right gift. Whether the gift is a piece of jewelry or something handmade they put their little hearts into their gifts.

Homemade is always best…

This homemade wrapping paper is the perfect finishing touch for any gift and the best part is this tissue paper painting method allows you to cover large areas in a quick fashion. Here’s what you need. Start working on paper large enough for your wrapping needs. We used this packing paper because it’s big (24 x 36) and its cheap!

Next you need bleeding art tissue. This kind of tissue paper isn’t found in the gift wrap aisle. You wanna’ look for this stuff with the art supplies. It’s super brilliant and when water touches it the color literally “bleeds” right out of it!

The only other things you will need are a soft paint brush and a Sharpie marker for adding some finishing details!

Homemade wrapping paper- strategic planning….

The process is simple. Lay down small pieces of colored tissue on top of larger white paper, paint with water. When tissue dries it falls off leaving behind beautiful colors.

Before you get started you’ve got some decisions to make. If you’re a spontaneous sort or working with young kiddos you can take pieces of any size and color and put them together and they will be pretty. Or you can plan a bit and use your tissue paper shapes to represent flowers, snowflakes, or any design. Either way the results are charming.

This process is so quick and easy it is perfect for working on a large scale.

Bye bye tissue paper…

As the water from your painting process dries the tissue paper will fall off leaving a beautiful print of color behind. Taadaa, you’ve got the background done. Because of the amount of water involved our papers were wrinkly. I actually took a warm iron to them and flattened them out a bit. (As in real life, ironing is always optional.)

Now, if you choose, you can use a black permanent marker to add some details. If your kiddos were more freeform with their tissue paper painting encourage them to draw or even write on their wrapping paper. If they had a definite idea in mind now is the time to draw details on top of the color.

Wrapping paper and beyond…

This tissue paper technique can be applied to wrapping paper and beyond. Check out this post for other ideas of how to use this same technique! Painting with tissue paper is relaxing, hypnotizing, process art at its best!