Creative Christmas: Wrapping Paper Wall Art

Christmas is a time for cheer and celebration, and what better way to spread the festive joy than by decorating your walls with Christmas wrapping paper? It's an easy, budget-friendly way to add a unique and creative touch to your home. You can wrap picture frames, canvases, or even create a gallery wall with different types of wrapping paper. It's a fun project that will surely get you into the holiday spirit. So, get your wrapping paper, scissors, and tape ready, and let's deck those walls with some Christmas cheer!

Wrapping paper and glue

Wrapping your walls with Christmas wrapping paper is a fun and inexpensive way to decorate your home for the holidays. Here are some tips and tricks for using wrapping paper and glue to achieve this festive look:

Choosing the Right Wrapping Paper:

• Select a wrapping paper that is thick and won't easily rip or tear.
• Consider the pattern and direction: Some patterns can be hung in either direction, but if you have a specific design in mind, plan accordingly. Hanging the paper vertically is usually much easier!
• Buy more wrapping paper than you think you need to account for mistakes and pattern matching.
• Look for wrapping paper that is nice and thick with great colours and patterns. Marshalls, TJMaxx, and HomeGoods are great sources for these.
• If you want to avoid a glossy finish, opt for "stone paper", which has a smooth, satin finish.

Preparing the Wall:

• Remove any shelves, hooks, switch plates, or other obstacles from the wall before starting.
• Measure the width and height of the wall to determine how much paper you will need and trim the paper accordingly.
• Consider the direction of your pattern and how it will be oriented on the wall.

Attaching the Wrapping Paper:

• Using a low-temp glue gun, apply a small amount of hot glue to the back of the wrapping paper, and adhere it directly to the wall. This method may cause some damage to the wall when you remove the paper, so use it sparingly.
• Alternatively, use double-sided tape for an easier installation. However, be cautious as it can be difficult to remove from walls without causing damage.
• For a more temporary option, try using painter's tape or regular Scotch tape to adhere the paper to the wall. This method may result in some billowing seams, but with careful cutting and pattern matching, you can achieve a clean and uniform look.
• If using tape, start by taping the top and bottom of the paper directly to the wall, and then tape down the sides, just like you would when wrapping a gift.
• For a plain, flat wall, thumbtacks can also be used to secure the corners of the paper.
• When working with wrapping paper, be careful as it is delicate and can wrinkle and tear easily.

Finishing Touches:

• Use Christmas twine, decorative ribbons, or other wrapping supplies to add extra flair to your wrapped walls.
• Add ornaments, bows, or other festive decorations to create a true Christmas wonderland.
• Combine your wrapped walls with other holiday decorations, such as a Christmas tree, mantle decorations, or a festive gallery wall.

Creative gift wrap ideas

If you're looking to get creative with your gift wrapping this festive season, there are plenty of fun and easy ways to add a personal touch. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Wrapping Paper Designs

• Use a vintage road map as wrapping paper and finish with a piece of thread through a vintage button as a bow.
• Upgrade basic wrapping paper with paint splatters or splashes.
• Opt for brown paper packaging and add a festive stamp, like a Christmas tree.
• Use matte black wrapping paper and finish with twine and an evergreen sprig or pinecone.
• Create a snowy scene with mini bottle brush trees, wreaths, and miniature presents.
• Use colourful paper to assemble your own poinsettias or other flowers.
• Wrap gifts in a festive tea towel instead of paper.

Gift Toppers

• Use natural gift toppers like pine branches, holly sprigs, pinecones, or kumquats, especially with plain brown paper.
• Make a bow from mini cupcake liners and glue them onto a small circle of white card stock.
• Create your own festive stickers or seals for envelopes or packages by using glitter glue around the edges of gift tags.
• Make a reindeer gift topper by printing out a deer silhouette, tracing it onto newspaper or construction paper, and taping it to the package.
• Adorn gifts with homemade holiday ornaments or Christmas crafts.

Other Creative Ideas

• Write a gift recipient's name in icing on a gingerbread cookie, which can be eaten instead of a gift tag.
• Add a festive quote or your favourite holiday movie quote to the package with solid-coloured gift wrap and letter stickers.
• Wrap gifts in a special cloth using the Japanese Furoshiki technique, which is reusable and eco-friendly.
• Present Christmas cookies in a festive envelope made of sturdy card stock.
• Incorporate natural elements like preserved moss, wheat, or thistles with gold and silver paper.

Wall Decor Ideas

• Wrap picture frames or wall art in festive wrapping paper and hang them back on the wall.
• Remove the glass from frames and wrap the matting or foam board in gift wrap to create a 3D effect.
• Use wired Christmas ribbon to create a cross on the front of the wrapped picture and tie a bow in the centre.
• Hang decorations with tinsel or ribbon instead of tape or Blu Tack, which can damage walls.

DIY wall art

Christmas is a wonderful time to get creative and decorate your home. Here are some fun and easy ways to create DIY wall art using Christmas wrapping paper:

Gift-Wrapped Picture Frames

Give your wall art a festive makeover by wrapping the picture frames. This is a quick, budget-friendly project that can be done using items you already have at home.

What You'll Need:

• Pretty, thick wrapping paper (vintage-style wrapping paper is a great option)
• Hot glue gun (low-temperature glue guns are suitable for kids)
• Scotch tape and/or painter's tape
• Scissors
• Christmas twine, decorative ribbons, burlap, or other gift-wrapping supplies
• Soft Santa ornament or other festive ornaments

Steps:

• Remove the picture from the frame.
• Measure the frame and cut the wrapping paper to size, ensuring it's slightly larger than the frame to allow for folding.
• Place the frame face down on the wrapping paper and fold the paper over the edges, creasing the corners neatly.
• Secure the paper to the frame with tape.
• Use a low-temperature glue gun to attach ribbons, twine, and ornaments to the frame.

Gift-Wrapped Wall Canvas

Another way to create festive wall art is to wrap a wall canvas. This is a simple and inexpensive way to add a Christmas accent to your home.

What You'll Need:

• Wired Christmas ribbon
• Wall canvas (a canvas with a wooden frame works best)
• Wrapping paper (slightly wider than the canvas)

Steps:

• Measure the canvas and cut a section of wrapping paper that is large enough to cover the front and extend about an inch beyond the edges.
• Place the canvas face down on the wrapping paper, then fold and crease the paper over the edges as you would when wrapping a gift.
• Secure the paper to the canvas with tape, taping the top and bottom first, then the sides.
• Create a cross with two long pieces of ribbon, measuring them to fit the length and width of the picture with extra length to reach the back and be taped securely.
• Tie a bow at the centre of the picture where the ribbons cross.
• Hang your festive creation using Command Hooks or similar.

Additional Tips:

• When choosing wrapping paper, opt for thicker varieties that won't easily rip.
• Ensure the back of your wrapping paper is free of any inks or prints that may transfer to the frame or canvas.
• Consider using painter's tape if regular tape doesn't stick well to your surface.
• Look for ways to reuse leftover wrapping paper, ribbons, and ornaments for a more sustainable approach.

Get creative, and feel free to adapt these ideas to suit your personal style and the décor of your home!

Hanging decorations

Use Over-the-Door Hooks

Adhesive tapes are often used to hang decorations, but they can cause lasting damage to walls. A better alternative is to use over-the-door hooks, which are brilliant for making the most of unused space and can be used all year round. This method is perfect for hanging wreaths or baubles without chipping the paint or stripping the wallpaper.

Hang Decorations with Tinsel or Ribbon

If you have spare tinsel or ribbon, you can use them to hang decorations. Tinsel or ribbon can add a festive touch to your living room or kitchen. Instead of taping decorations directly to your walls, try hanging them from a mantelpiece or cupboard door. This way, you can avoid causing any damage to your paint or wallpaper.

Get Creative with Displaying Cards

Putting up Christmas cards is a personal way to adorn your home, but adhesive tapes can strip the colour and cause paint to chip or fade when it's time to take them down. Instead, try pegging cards to a decorative twig tree or threading them through a ribbon and wrapping them around a staircase bannister. You can also thread cards through a thin garland and drape them along your window frame for a festive touch.

Avoid Hanging Lights

Fairy lights can instantly add a festive feel to any room, but they can be difficult to hang if you have wallpaper or painted walls. To display fairy lights without damaging your walls, wrap them inside a glass jar and place it on a shelf to create a lantern effect.

Creative ways to display cards

While displaying Christmas cards on walls is a great way to adorn your home, it can be challenging to do so without damaging the walls. Here are some creative ways to display your Christmas cards without causing any damage:

Creative Ways to Display Christmas Cards:

• Use a decorative twig tree: Peg your Christmas cards to a decorative twig tree. This adds a rustic, natural element to your display and avoids the use of adhesive tape that can damage walls.
• Ribbon and staircase bannister: Thread each card through a ribbon and wrap it around your staircase bannister, securing it with a bow. This method creates a festive garland of cards that adorns your staircase.
• Garland and window frame: John Lewis suggests threading Christmas cards through a thin garland and draping it along a window frame. This adds a festive touch to your windows and showcases your cards.
• Doorway garland: Drape garlands over a doorway or archway and use mini clips to display your Christmas cards. This idea works well if you have a lot of cards to display.
• Ribbon wall hanging: Create a wall hanging by stitching ribbons into flaps and attaching a bold bow at one end. Add a picture hanger to the back and hang it on the wall. Tuck a card under each flap and secure it with double-stick tape. This method is perfect for displaying colour-coordinated cards.
• Christmas card wreath: Cut your cards into different-sized circles, arrange them into a wreath shape, and secure them with craft glue. Attach a ribbon to the top, and your card wreath is ready to be hung!
• Framed chicken wire display: Turn an old frame into a festive display by stretching chicken wire across it. This creates a versatile piece that can hold cards, ornaments, wreaths, lights, and more.
• Merry mail wood and metal sign: For a modern farmhouse look, hang a wooden sign with metal accents on the wall or lean it against a table or counter. This piece can display cards while adding a rustic touch to your decor.
• Red metal wreath card holder: A simple and effective way to showcase your cards is by using a wreath-shaped card holder. This holder has plenty of slots to fit cards and photos, and you can overlay them as needed.
• Ladder display: Use a brightly painted ladder to display cards against any wall. Tuck the cards over or between bungee cords screwed in an X pattern. This idea blends card display with functional storage.

Frequently asked questions