A plaid-wrapped gift with a striped bow sits on a wooden surface, surrounded by stacked plates, vintage blue and white dishes, a red glass candle holder, and a gold-framed picture in the background.

Covering Christmas Cookbooks With Vintage Wallpaper

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I love collecting ’90s cookbooks and crafting books, and I actually use them. I don’t like how they look out on my countertop sometimes. So I found a solution to keep my Christmas books out for the season and not be an eyesore.

Wrapping books with brown paper has been a thing for a very long time because we used to reuse textbooks every year, and they needed some protection. Now I love scouring the thrift stores for old cookbooks, and I love making them match my decor with thrifted wallpaper and wrapping paper.

Here’s how I did it for this year’s decor. Next year, they might be different, and because they are put on with tape and are temporary, I can change them out easily!

A plaid-wrapped gift with a striped bow sits on a wooden surface beside stacked plates, a blue and white patterned dish, a red glass candle holder, and a decorative mug, with framed art in the background.

How To Wrap a Book with Paper

  • Find the books you want to cover.
  • Cut the paper to about one and a half inches wider than the book laid out flat.
  • Fold over the edges and use scotch tape to secure the paper.
  • Fold the corners in (as shown) and tape them down to secure.
  • On the spine of the book, cut two straight lines at the edges of the spine and fold up toward the book and secure with tape.
  • A cookbook titled "country home cooking & crafts" sits on a dark wooden surface next to a roll of red, green, and white plaid-patterned paper.
  • An open spiral-bound book and a blue folder are placed on white sheet of wrapping paper, with a roll of plaid-patterned wrapping paper above them on a wooden table. Part of a tiled floor is visible.
  • A hand peels back a strip of patterned tape from the edge of a blue, grid-patterned book cover resting on a wooden surface.
  • A hand folds a piece of plaid-patterned tape over the corner of a blue and white box on a wooden surface.

This is such an easy and fun project that you can do in minutes and make a big impact on your Christmas decor!

I did find this wallpaper in the thrift shop, but you can use your favorite Christmas wrapping paper just as easily!

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Welcome! I'm Amy Sadler, your DIY Bestie.
My mission is simple: inspire you with stunning home decor DIYs and expert furniture and cabinet paint finishes, and the best wall paint colors. Plus, you'll see my own home transformations in real-time!
I'm here to provide the tips and tools to make you fall in love with your home, right now!
Let's create homes that embrace our individuality and comfort.

5 Comments

  1. This is such a great idea Amy! How fun would it be to do a bunch for a “Christmas Collection” to use for holiday decorating!

    Reply

  2. Love this idea, Amy! I’ve passed up so many cookbooks and coffee table books because of the covers. It’s nice to have this creative solution to fall back on now though. Hope you’re having an awesome Fall, CoCo

    Reply
  3. Michelle | Thistle Key Lane says:

    What a great way to upcycle unattractive books and make them part of your decor! Love the cute plaid paper!! Pinning!

    Reply

  4. Hi Amy! This is such a fun idea! I love how you added the bow, it’s super cute!

    Reply

  5. You had me at “vintage paper”. What a great idea! Best of all, you could cover several cookbooks for a matching set. Love the paper you selected!

    Reply

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