There’s always at least one odd “homemaker” skill that a wife learns from her husband. My Dad, being Greek and therefore a born-that-way amazing cook, taught my Mom everything she knows in the area of culinary skills.
Chris, being Mister Christmas himself, taught me everything I know about wrapping presents.
He has instilled in me a need to wrap perfectionistically and originally every year. And I must say, I love the challenge.
This year, I saw a wrapping paper idea on Pinterest – it was commercially made word search paper, where you could circle phrases like “Merry Christmas” and “Happy Birthday”.
I liked the idea, but I wanted to do it a bit more personally. So I decided to make my own Word Search Wrapping Paper with everyone’s names built into it – and it was much, MUCH cheaper.
There are plenty of word search creation websites out there, but the one I landed on was on Discovery Education.
I chose 40 letters across by 40 letters down under Step 1, selected the “text” option under Step 4, and entered everyone’s names that would be receiving presents from us in Step 5.
Then I realized that I wanted everyone’s names to show up multiple times so that I could easily find it and so that it would be in different spots on the paper. The website wouldn’t do multiple names, but seeing as how I was making a word search, it didn’t matter what letters were after the name, so I added unique names to my list like so:
KITTY
KITTYA
KITTYB
KITTYC
KITTYD
(The site said to make sure that there wasn’t any unintentional foul language in my word search, but I didn’t check. So if your present cusses at you, I do apologize.)
Since I selected the text option, after it generated, I just highlighted and copied the text and pasted it into Word. I set my paper size to 11 x 17, and copied the grid twice on my document.
This is where it is convenient that I’m married to an engineer, because then I sent my file to work with Chris and he printed it to PDF at 11 x 17, then printed to scale on 24 x 36 paper:
You wouldn’t have to print on such large paper, because I got multiple presents out of one sheet. But if you’re not married to a man with access to a drafting printer and you do want it on large paper, you can get it printed at any print/copy store or drafting supply company (like Alabama Graphics).
I enrolled Ali’s enthusiastic help in finding the names I needed (which was a great way to include her in the process AND entertain her while I wrapped presents),
Then I used a red highlighter or a black sharpie to circle the names before I wrapped.
The regular paper wrapped surprisingly well – much better than the flimsy wrapping papers at most stores.
Since it’s color neutral paper, my options are wide open to use all of the ribbons I’ve had for years that clashed or didn’t go with any wrapping papers – I plan on using every single one of them by the time I’m done wrapping.
And, by nature of being Word Search wrapping paper, no labels required!
…now if I can just keep Ali from circling all of the other names on the paper and completely mixing up the identity of the stash.
I love it Rachel! I would love to take the time to wrap presents individually and beautifully (like my sister-in-law!)… and I enjoy wrapping, but I end up using the same couple rolls, without ribbon to wrap everything. Maybe one of these years I’ll branch out.
ha ha! how funny would that be if she circled ALL of the names!
Great Idea! *love* that there’s no need for gift labels….those things can be a hassle.
If the name is on there multiple times, then it would be ok for her to circle the other matching names ;)
That’s a good idea! She’d love that.
Great idea!
That is so smart! And cute.
This is such a great idea! Thanks for sharing!
This is such a great idea I pinned it!
You are too with it!
Oh I like this idea but I would want to be like Ali and start circling any words I found…I do word searches.
So fun, thank you! I just made one for my daughter. She’s in kindergarten and just getting into word searches.
That’s great! My daughter has just gotten into them recently as well. Which makes me enjoy them all over again!
LOVE IT!!!!
What a fun idea! I am going to remember this for next year…I have been wrap warp wrapping during naptime the past two weeks so I am all caught up at the moment. Although I still have my grandparents presents to buy and wrap so maybe I will do it for them. Thanks!!!
I’m impressed! I don’t usually start wrapping even this early. Good for you!
This such a wonderful project and thank you for the tips. I just printed 8.5×11 and will take it to the local print shop to see if it is cost efficient to make wrapping paper. I love all the personal touches but sometimes people think I am over the top. I am going to use the paper for birthday as well as Christmas. Hopefully I can have it printed at a reasonable price. Thanks again for the tutorial .
That is truly fabulous! And I love it that you were inspired by something that you saw on Pinterest. That is a truly inspiring place! Thanks for sharing this gift wrapping awesomeness!
This is an awesome idea! I run http://www.freewordsearches.net, I hope you don’t mind if I link to your post as an idea for the people who use my site?
Love this idea!
I LOVED this idea, so of course I had to go directly to the site and try it myself….’cept I’m not very well skilled with WORD (I don’t use it enough) so I need a little help if you wouldn’t mind. I created my word search, copied and pasted into word (changed paper to 11 x 17)…the technical problem is making it align correctly. You wrote “I set my paper size to 11 x 17, and copied the grid twice on my document” I don’t understand “copied the grid twice” help??!!!
Vikki
Sure! After you copy the grid and have up an 11 x 17 Word document, hit ctrl-V twice – it will put two sets of the grid onto the document, making it fill the page. Let me know if that doesn’t work!
What a wonderful idea! Now if I can just find a large-format printer for free …
I just showed this idea to the wife and I think we’re going to give it a go. I’ll just print it out at FedEx to get the large format.
Thanks for sharing!
280 PC
I think it would make awesome “Santa” paper – if my kid hadn’t already seen it. Good luck!!
Great idea!!!I love this!!!
So cool, I love it!
I love this idea!! And yay for finally using that unmatchable ribbon!!!
I’m new to Pinterest but so want to pin this page so that I can remember the wesites you mentioned and the directions. Please tell me how to pin a website.
awesome idea and so brilliant. love it.
thank you for the link and the tute with the sharing.-D
Genius!
You actually suggested this adequately!