Wrapping paper party decorations are the absolutely best way we can think of to rock your theme party. Why?

• Coordinated: One fabulous theme for your invites, presents, walls, and table.
• Easy: Like “all you need is glue sticks and scissors.” Like “so simple you don’t need instructions.” Like “so fast you’re already done.” WHAT? Right.
• Convenient: Buy your gift wrap and you’ve bought your party decorations. BOOM.

It’s summer and we’re feeling luau-tiki-tropical, but the same idea works with any story or design theme. Here’s how you do it.

Supplies

• Designed wrapping paper (simple, repeated patterns are best)

• Tissue paper

• Glue sticks

• Scissors

And depending on the project

• Invitations (with envelopes)

• String or narrow ribbon

• Card stock in a color that coordinates with your wrap

• Skewers or toothpicks

• Straws

• Large hole punches (circles or fun shapes)

• Tape or hot glue

• Pencil

• Ruler

• Tape

How to make envelope liners

If you’re just doing a few, follow the directions below. If you’re making a bunch, do steps 1-3 using poster board or chipboard instead of wrap to make a template—then trace the template on to the wrapping paper and follow steps 4-5.

1. Open the flap of an envelope, lay it open and flat on the reverse side of a piece of wrapping paper (we loved the palm leaves from this collection).
2. Trace the envelope shape onto the wrapping paper and cut it out.
3. Cut a sliver (1/8″ or less) off each side and about 1/2″ off the bottom.
4. Slip the liner into the envelope, design up, and close the envelope, creasing the liner.
5. Open the envelope and glue the liner in place.

How to make fringe banners with tissue paper

1. Cut string or ribbon the length of the banner you’d like (add a little extra for hanging or tying).
2. Decide how long you want your fringe to be. Double that and add half an inch—then cut strips of tissue paper that wide. (We cut 4″ wide strips to get 1 3/4″ fringe.) You’ll need to cut enough strips to the length of your string.
3. Lay the paper end to end, and lay the string down in the center of the paper.
4. Run a glue stick close to the string on one side. (You can do this one length of paper at a time.)
5. Fold the paper over the string and press.
6. Cut the paper using regular scissor or fringing shears (you can double it up to go faster). Be careful not to cut through the string!

How to make banners from wrapping paper designs

1. Cut string or ribbon the length of the banner you’d like (add a little extra for hanging or tying).
2. Decide how many shapes—in our case, leaves—you want on the banner, and cut them out of the wrapping paper. (Your designs don’t all have to be the same.)
3. Fold a piece of card stock in half. Place your designs on the folded card stock with the tops along the crease, and glue them in place.
4. Cut them out, making sure there’s enough card stock at the top to hold the two sides together.
5. Unfold your designs and lay them design side down the way you’d like them on the banner.
6. Lay the string down in the creases.
7. Run a glue stick close to the string on one side. (You can do this a few designs at a time.)
8. Fold the paper over the string and press.

How to decorate skewers, toothpicks, and straws

• Glue a designed piece of gift wrap to a piece of card stock.
• Cut out the shapes and icons you like (these flamingos really spoke to us).
• Attach skewers and toothpicks to the card stock side with a dot of hot glue or a piece of tape.
• For straws: Cut two 3/8″ slits in the design about 1″ apart, and slide the straw through the slits.

How do make gift wrap cones for treats or confetti

• Glue a designed piece of gift wrap to a piece of card stock.
• Cut into squares (ours are 6″).
• Bring two opposite corners together to form a cone and tape in place.

We used our wrap for a table runner, too. Cheers to inexpensive party decor!

Photography and styling: Erin Martinez

Save

— Tobe R.