Looking for a simple way to bring a little extra magic to Christmas this year? This handmade wrapping paper from content creator and mum, Tegan Porter (@tegan_jean), is exactly the kind of low-effort, high-reward activity your family needs.

Rather than reaching for pre-printed rolls, Tegan handed her kids paint markers and let them design their own wrapping paper from scratch. What started as plain craft paper became heartfelt wrapping paper that made every gift carry a little piece of the kids' own creativity.

Kid-decorated Paper

This project is refreshingly simple: plain craft paper, paint markers, and full creative control for your kids. Using Christmas cookie cutters as stencils, they can trace festive shapes onto the paper and fill them with colour, transforming plain sheets into Christmas-inspired designs they'll be proud of. Craft paper provides the perfect backdrop, making every colour, and drawing stand out. There's no need for the kids to stay in the lines or make it perfect. The more personality, the better!

You'll need:

Craft paper

• Paint markers in assorted colours – red, green and white
• Christmas cookie cutters (as stencils)
• A flat surface and a bit of table protection

Handwritten tags

Once the paper was sorted, Tegan and the kids turned their attention to gift tags to add another personal layer to every present. Using the craft paper, the kids drew labels with a short message to tie onto the gifts with ribbon.

You'll need:

• Card or craft paper
• Paint markers or fine liners
• Ribbon
• Hole punch (optional, for a neater finish)

Finishing touches

The final step is where it all comes together: wrapping the presents in the kids' handmade paper, tying on their personalised tags, and finishing each one with curled ribbon for that extra festive charm. It's a simple styling detail, but it elevates the whole gift into something that looks (and feels) genuinely special.

For Tegan, the best part is watching the finished presents pile up under the tree, each one different, and each one filled with the kids' personality. It's a reminder that Christmas magic, every day doesn't take much at all, just a little time together and a lot of personality.

Head to Altona Gate and pick up all your craft essentials, then gather the kids at the kitchen table and let them take the lead. It might just become your best Christmas wrapping paper yet!