Whatever your gift-giving plans, you can add an easy homemade touch to gift bags or packages. Simple enough for children, but suitable for all ages.

Here’s what you need:

• Plain white tissue paper sheets
• Food coloring or liquid watercolor paint
• Small bowl for each color or a muffin pan
• Clothespins (optional)
• Somewhere to set dyed paper to dry

Step one:

Fold the white tissue paper any way you want! You can make triangles, squares, or accordion folds. Try to make sharp creases.

Step two:

Dip one corner of your folded paper into the food coloring or paint. Repeat with each corner.

You might want to hold the paper with a clothespin to keep your fingers clean.

Experiment with different colors. Let the colors bleed together if you want or use minimal color for a more subtle effect.

Step three:

Set the dipped papers somewhere to dry. Be patient! Don’t open yet, or they may tear. This may take a few hours.

Step four:

Carefully unfold your paper and enjoy each unique surprise!

“It’s not how much we give but how much love we put into giving.” Mother Teresa