Foot Print Wrapping Paper

I was waiting for the perfect day to attempt some bare foot and crazy DIY wrapping paper with my kids.  I wanted a day when they were calm, quiet, and focused.  Well, I gave up on waiting for that and just got to the wrapping paper!  It was so very much fun – and really wasn’t as messy as I thought it would be.

Each year we try to make a few special sheets of wrapping paper to wrap certain presents.  We usually do hand prints, or even just let the kids paint and decorate the wrapping paper.  When I saw these adorable snowmen over at Frogs and Snails and Puppy dog Tails I decided we would have to do that for our homemade Christmas wrapping paper this year! Funny enough, as I went back to Frogs and Snails to link to their snowmen I realized that they were not foot prints at all!  Any who – still adorable and still sparked my idea!

To make this homemade foot print wrapping paper:

I chose a day that my husband was home and I had had two cups of coffee.  I believe these 2 factors were key to our success.

Then I rolled out the craft paper.  We rolled out about 15 feet of so at a time.

At first I tried to paint Sammy’s feet and have him walk (he chose to run) down the paper.  The paint came off his feet so quickly we decided it would be better for him to just step in a dish of paint.  It did work much better.

He stepped in the squishy paint and walked up and down the paper.  Then we would roll more paper out and keep going.

Benjamin objected to having his toes painted, which was actually alright by me … he is very quick for a baby!  Next year.

When we were done I performed the “catch and scoop method” and took those painted toes right to the bathtub

After the paint had dried on the homemade wrapping paper I used Sharpie markers to draw a nose, eyes, buttons, and arms.  Then I cut some ribbon to add a little 3D effect for a scarf.  I am very happy with the result!  And I know Grandma will be too!

With our attempt to slow down this year and really enjoy the season I have started to appreciate these simple, fun traditions.  Making wrapping paper is something we do each year, yes, but I hadn’t really thought of it as a tradition.  But I really think my kids will.  They will look back fondly on those crazy mornings with painted toes and Christmas carols playing.  And so will I!

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