I’m sharing ten tips for wrapping Christmas presents that are a major upgrade from slapping a simple sticky bow on the top (and they’re super easy to do too!)
One of my favorite things to do around the holidays is to sit down with loads of beautiful wrapping paper, tags, and ribbon and wrap presents while watching cheesy Christmas movies. I’ve loved wrapping Christmas presents ever since I was a kid and when I was in high school I even had a little business going where busy families paid me to wrap all of their holiday gifts!
I was always surprised by how blown away my “clients” were when they saw their wrapped gifts. In my mind, I wasn’t doing anything special and certainly nothing difficult, but I realized it was the little extra touches that they might not have thought to do themselves that left such an impression.
Today I’m sharing ten tips for wrapping Christmas presents that will take an ordinary present to “next level” status. (post includes affiliate links – full disclosure statement available {here})
1. Use a Chalk Marker Pen!
For darker colored gift wrap, white chalk marker pens (such as {these}) are great for writing messages on your packages or even just for writing who the present is “to” and “from” without the need for a gift tag. They’re simple to use (they work just like paint pens) and definitely add a little something special.
I often pull up one of my favorite fonts and write my message on my laptop and then reference that when writing it out on the present but using your everyday handwriting is just fine too!
2. Add a Pre-Made Bow or Embellishment
This idea is perfect for wrapping Christmas presents if you don’t want to mess with ribbon. Simply choose a gorgeous paper and place a pre-made bow or other little “extra” on top! With this gift on the left, I added a premade curly bow – simple and quick but also beautiful!!
3. Stack ‘Em!
There’s something about stacked gifts that makes them irresistible! Simply wrap two presents (one slightly bigger than the other) in the same gift wrap and tie them together with ribbon, leaving long, cascading tails. Wire-edged ribbon like {this white ribbon} works best because it’s easy to add those pretty waves to the tails.
4. Layer Your Ribbon
This is one of my favorite ideas for wrapping Christmas presents! Layering a thinner ribbon over a different colored thicker ribbon makes presents look luxurious! I usually choose two colors that are both found in the gift wrap so that everything coordinates. For this gift, I used a thinner gold metallic mesh ribbon layered on {a 1 ½″ black satin wire ribbon} along with a cute jingle bell wreath tie-on.
5. Clip It On!
An easy way to add embellishments and tags is to simply clip them on with a mini clothespin and as a bonus, it’s super cute and makes your present unique! For this present I clipped on one a metallic gift tag and a cute glitter snowflake with a plain mini clothespin like {these}.
6. Add a Treat!
Adding a little sweet treat is one of my favorite ways to make a wrapped present special, especially for kids. You can simply tie a candy bar or other sweets on top with ribbon or buy an embellishment like this mini stocking and tuck your treat inside. Just be mindful of pets and don’t leave gifts with chocolate or other food anywhere that they can get to them!
7. Tie It Twice
This is one of my favorite tricks for wrapping Christmas presents when you’re working with rectangular/narrow packages. Instead of your typical bow, simply wrap two lengths of ribbon or decorative cording around your present lengthwise and then tie both pieces in knots with the first knotted piece a little higher up than the second.
For my gift, I used a wood grain glitter wrap with a sheer gold ribbon like {this}, and a glitter snowflake gift tag – such a simple Christmas present wrapping idea but so beautiful!
Here’s another present from a few years back that I wrapped the same way but with braided twine:
8. Use Your Gift Wrap Scraps
This is the perfect way to keep the scraps of your favorite gift wrap from going to waste! Wrap your present in plain kraft paper and then take a long scrap of wrapping paper, fold it along both sides to give it clean, straight edges, and wrap it around the length of your present. Then simply tie a bow on top to hold it all together:
9. Use What’s Outside
Adding natural elements from your own backyard is another favorite idea for wrapping Christmas presents. It can be as simple as tying on a few sprigs of greenery clipped from your yard. Or if you want to spend a few more minutes, hot glue gun 2-3 small pine cones to the ends of ribbon and tie them on!
10. Throw It In A Bag or Box!
There’s no shame in using a gift bag, especially when it’s a super pretty one! Using tissue paper that has a decorative edge such as {this scalloped edge tissue paper} takes it to the next level!
Or you can buy pretty gift boxes that don’t require any wrapping such as these white and gold scalloped edge beauties (I got these a few years back from Target – they have beautiful new designs every Christmas – check them out {here}):
I try to wrap as I go throughout the holiday season so I have pretty presents to put under our tree and sprinkle around our home too.
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Where to Buy Gorgeous Gift Wrapping Supplies
My four favorite sources for gift wrap, ribbon, and boxes are (1) The Container Store – every year they have a Gift Wrap Wonderland section that has gorgeous wrapping paper and ribbon options along with lots of fun little embellishments. The only downside? It’s pricey!
I also find a lot of great supplies at (2) Target – especially online where they have better selection than in the store. My favorite things to buy at Target are their beautiful decorative boxes from Sugar Paper – you can see their current offerings {here}.
I also find lots of great wrapping paper and ribbon online at (3) Amazon. A few current favorites are {these plaid wrapping papers} and {these darling kraft papers}. They have a huge selection of ribbon too! And last but not least I’ve found some of the cutest papers at (4) Minted – you can see their current holiday gift wrap options {here}.
I hope you all picked up a new trick or two to use while wrapping Chrismtas presents this year! When you’re buying your gift wrap, ribbons, and other supplies this season keep in mind that…
- Wire-edged ribbon works best for making bows because you can shape it to make your bows full and the tails wavy.
- If you’re using glitter paper like {this gold glitter wrap} I used, regular tape won’t hold well. In the past I’ve always used my hot glue gun to stick down the ends of glitter paper but for the first time this year I tried {this double sided clear super tape} and it works really well too! So if you get glitter papers like one of the three that I used, be sure to have a glue gun or super tape on hand.
- If you wrap your presents early, you can use your presents to decorate your home for the holidays! Along with putting them under the tree, you can stack pretty presents on shelves, use them as coffee table decor, few small presents sticking out of the stockings hanging from your fireplace mantel, or even stack a few in a chair or two:
Happy wrapping!
Catherine Magee says
What Beautiful Ideas!
So creative and Simple.
Have an elegant look to all of them.
But with a simple charm that is the very best!
Thanks so very much, Catherine
Constance J. Falcone says
This is sooo inspirational! Ironically, my family decided to forgo exchanging gifts this year, and are donating to charity–but I am bookmark8ng this for NEXT year!
Michelle K says
Beautiful packages! Where can I find unique wrapping paper like yours?
Kris Jarrett says
I get most of my paper from The Container Store, HomeGoods, and Amazon!
Sally says
Absolutely stunning gift wrapping ideas. Thank you for sharing such unique ideas. Perhaps you could also share a small tutorial on how to make your perfect bows. You are truly “gifted” yourself !!
Regina says
Thank you for the very beautiful, inspirational, and cost effective gift wrapping ideas! The exquisite photos of the presents and Christmas décor immediately caught my attention. The ribbon layering technique and use of natural elements like the pine cone are brilliant. The method of utilizing plain kraft paper and “gift wrap scraps” is very useful and economical.
Gail Storti says
I LOVE wrapping gifts and I especially love a beautifully wrapped gift. So I adore all your gorgeous packages and wish I would find them under our tree. I have a wonderful wrapping station my husband made for me and I can’t resist a pretty paper or ribbon. I love the look of glitter paper but hate the results of glitter being everywhere in the whole house. Great post!
Karen B. says
Kris,
There are some really helpful ideas here. I’ve been wrapping as I get the gifts, but it’s nice to see a few new ideas that look pretty and look like fun to create.
Merry Christmas to you and your family. It’s been such a pleasure following you along on your journey. I always learn something new and am inspired with each new post.
Karen
Luisa says
Love
Love your still and the way you make bows look so beautiful. I was wondering, I love the color and theme of your christmas tree and was wondering if you can share where you got the Grey velvet ribbon and the sheer silver one?
Thank
Luisa
LAURA LEIGH STROUD says
BEAUTIFUL ideas…..and just simply gorgeous gift wrapping ideas. I have wrapped a bunch of empty boxes to put under my tree using your ideas….lol.
My favourite tradition…..well…..I have never been married and I have no children. I am fortunate to have both my parents still with me…so I go over every year and spend the entire time with them…just like when I was a little girl. When we get up…My dad goes down and builds a fire..my mom gets me orange juice and a hot tea…..I am not allowed downstairs until the fire is built and everything else is all set. The we go down together as a family. My mom will then proceed to hand out the presents. Brings me back to when I was a little girl….BEST PART….spending it with my PARENTS……PRICELESS !!!!!!
Kris Jarrett says
Michelle is our giveaway winner!!! Thank you all of sharing your traditions – I LOVED reading all of them!
Kelly taylor says
our favorite tradition is getting holiday milkshakes then drinking them in the car as we drive around looking at Christmas lights.
Cyndy Daukantas says
I also love all the decorating for this season! thank you for the wonderful tips on wrapping packages. Your’s are absolutely gorgeous!! Too pretty to unwrap!
Ruth L says
Great ideas and I just LOVE the soothing colors in your home!
I love the Christmas season for so many reasons! I think my favorite tradition is attending the Christmas Eve candlelight service at church with family and dear friends, singing my favorite Christmas carols and seeing the light from the Christ candle being passed from person to person until the whole room is filled with the warm glow!
Thanks for inspiring me!
Gayle Green says
Ok, now I am ready to start wrapping. I hope my packages will be as lovely as yours.
Favorite Christmas tradition: Fresh trees, garland and wreaths. I just love the smell! I now put up three fresh trees every year. Each covered with vintage glass ornaments for the 1930″s to the 1950’s.
Kimberly says
Your style is off the charts!! I love all these ideas and i love that you keep the ideas simple!!!! All of them are ways of wrapping that i can’t wait to do!
My Favorite holiday tradition is the Family Ladies Tea that I do with my three daughters, and all the ladies in our extended family. It’s a beautiful morning every time and it’s intentional!
Merry Christmas,
Kimberly~
Karen B. says
Kris,
This is amazing! I love some of your ideas and The Container Store has been my go-to store for gift wrap for years. My friend and I have a tradition of getting up for the sale the day after Christmas and standing in line to pick up some of the Christmas wrap at a great discount.
xo,
Karen