DIY Crafts: Valentine's Gift Wrapping
I must admit - I suck at gift-giving. I always seem to wait until the last minute, and I'm never sure if the recipient will like what I've gotten them. The upside is that I'm arty, and people like things that you've put time and effort into creating.
Handmade gifts are great - but they can take a lot of work. If you're just looking for a personal, hand crafted way to present your store-bought gifts, go for some do-it-yourself wrapping!
Heart-Shaped Envelope
Materials
- Thick paper - Something like cardstock or scrapbooking paper. I used a 12"x12" sheet of scrapbooking paper that I got in a pad of 30 sheets (Walmart, $5).
- Scissors
- Ribbon
First you'll have to trace your heart. Make sure it's really thick and full-looking! I used the whole length and width of my paper.
Next, cut it out! simple enough. Lay it so the bit that you want to be the inside of the envelope is facing up. You'll probably want to measure out how you're going to fold it, as I did.
Fold both sides in evenly. Be sure your lines are straight! Then, fold the top of the heart up. Take the bottom of the heart and fold it down, and it should look just like an envelope! Put your letter inside.
I don't suggest taping it down, because then the recipient won't be able to unfold it and see that it's a heart. That's why I've taken a long bit of ribbon and tied a bow over the envelope.
What do you usually give to your Valentine?
Paper Candy Box
Materials
- Thick paper
- Ribbon
- Candy
You can make these in all sorts of sizes - I made mine fairly small, just for a tutorial. You'll have to measure the width and length of your candy to create an appropriately sized box!
Say you're wrapping a bunch of little candies, about 1 square inch each. If you have 10 of them, you'd probably be safe using paper that was 8"x11".
Fold the paper in half lengthwise, and then fold the two ends in towards the center. You should have four equal sections.
Then, cut small triangles out of either side of the top and bottom - at least half an inch from the end of the paper. Make sure to leave a bit of space between the triangles. You don't want to cut clean through!
Once you've done that, flatten the sheet out. You'll have to fold a bit now. The thin section between the triangles needs to be folded in, and the wider section at the base of the triangles should be folded out. This can be better explained through the photo I've provided.
When you've got the rest of the folding down, prop it up into a box. Tape the two ends together using invisible tape. Put your candies inside, and tie off the ends with ribbon!
If you want to add a little more, take a page from a newspaper or book and cut a strip to wrap around the middle.
Heart Cutout Wrapping Paper
Materials
- Tissue paper
- Brown wrapping paper
- Cardboard
- Box cutter or knife
- Tape
Wrap the present in colored tissue paper first - I used a hot pink.
Once you've done that, take the appropriate amount of brown paper and lay it face up on a piece of cardboard. Using your box cutter or knife, carefully trace halves of hearts. Be sure to cut all the way through!
When you're done cutting, pop the hearts out and fold them so that they stay open. Carefully wrap up your gift!
More Crafts!
Whether you're going the gift card route or getting your loved one a different sort of gift, I hope these wrapping methods will help you add some personalization to your Valentine's Day! If you're liking the do-it-yourself thing and want to try out some Valentine's decorations, check out some of my other crafts! Set the mood.
Valentine's Tissue Pompom Garland
Four Incredibly Easy Valentine's Decorations
Valentine's Heart Garland
Hubba hubba.