12 Ways to Upgrade Your Gift-Wrapping Using Office Supplies

By Jean Van’t Hul
November 01, 2016
Jeff Harris
Put the kids to work crafting great-looking gifts with just a few office supplies!
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Mondrian

Credit: Jeff Harris

Align a few sticky notes (cut some in half), then add blacktape lines to cover the intersections.

Tip: Our secret moneysaver is bulletin-board paper! We got a 4x50-foot roll for $16 on Amazon. Use it to do the basic wrapping ahead of time (be sure to label the backs), then let your children get creative!

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Mandalas

Credit: Jeff Harris

Arrange adhesive flags in a circle, then add a layer of flags in a contrasting color on top of them.

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Mod Tree

Credit: Jeff Harris

Trim notes into triangles, fringe the edges, and layer on top of one another. Top with a foil star.

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Little Gifts

Credit: Jeff Harris

Place a few notes on your package, then layer on black-tape ribbon and bows.

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Great Garland

Credit: Jeff Harris

Draw a few curves of “string” across the gift, then dot the stickers along them.

Tip: Have your child use dots in one or two color families for a pro look—or don’t, for a wilder feel!

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Ribbon Run

Credit: Jeff Harris

Cut hole reinforcements in half, then arrange them in a line down your gift. 

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Confetti

Credit: Jeff Harris

Place stickers in a random pattern, starting in one corner.

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Snowflake

Credit: Jeff Harris

Begin in the center and build out a symmetrical pattern using dots and reinforcements.

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Fireworks

Credit: Jeff Harris

Cut labels into strips, then crisscross them into starburst shapes.

Tip: Your child can draw anything she likes (think: the recipient’s portrait or a winter scene) to adorn a special present. The artwork is half the gift! 

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Santa’s Belt

Credit: Jeff Harris

Wrap your present with a strip of black paper or tape, then stick on a label with the center cut out.

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Citrus Slices

Credit: Jeff Harris

Draw circles and spokes on labels, then cut them out and place on your present.

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Starry Sky

Credit: Jeff Harris

Draw patterns onto labels, Zentangle-style, then cut them corner to corner to get triangles. Arrange into stars.

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Meet Jean

Credit: ArtfulParent.com

Jean Van’t Hul is the founder of the blog ArtfulParent.com, full of arts-and-crafts activities for kids. She has written two books, The Artful Parent and The Artful Year, and lives in Asheville, NC, with her family. 

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