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.
Want to save this post?
We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
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!
Linda Rigger says
Our favorite tradition is having Brandy Alexander’s on Christmas Eve after dinner while enjoying family time and exchanging gifts. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the container store. All my closets and pantry were designed by them. They keep me organized and really utilize my space efficiently. Our grown children have since continued to have their closets, laundry room, offices, garages, basement storage, etc, done by the container store. Top notch company and products! Wouldn’t use anything else!
Angelle says
About two weeks before Christmas one of our favorite family traditions is pulling each other’s names randomly out of a hat to see who we will give a gift to. No one shares who they are shopping for. Every person in the family has a limit of $20 (my husband and I provide the money for everyone). We all go to Walmart or Target and allow 30 minutes for shopping. Then we go in different directions to shop for the person we randomly picked. No fair paying over the $20 limit. We meet up at the front of the store then go out to dinner and give the gifts (wrapped in the store bags) to one another. It’s always fun to see the creative gifts chosen and even more enjoyable racing around the store hoping you don’t run into the person you’re shopping for.
Kimberly Wood says
I love wrapping gifts too. A sweet friend hosts an annual gift wrapping party during the holidays – she supplies the paper, ribbons, tags and embellishments. She’s an awesome bow maker and will whip out bows for her guests. It’s so fun gathering with friends & wrapping together. ❤️??
Vonda Laffey says
Hi, Kris! For years now my sisters and I bring a variety of things to swap – purses, socks, makeup, hair products, fragrances, etc. This helps us clear out unused/unwanted items and come home with different stuff to use/wear! Things that don’t get swapped get donated. It’s sometimes more exciting than the actual gift exchange! Happy Holidays
Glenda Sims says
The Container Store is great! Our family tradition is gathering as many friends and family members who can join us for Christmas dinner.
Peggy says
Beautiful post with great ideas. I have used brown craft paper for years–my family calls is my “signature paper:)
Rae Endreola says
What a beautiful job wrapping!! My favorite Christmas tradition is a cookie swap party. I did it with my mother, then my kids and now the grandkids. Each family brings a batch of their favorite cookies and the recipe and I have sugar cookies for everyone to decorate. The prettiest one gets a prize.
Denise says
SOOO much prettier than my tried and true stick on bows! Seriously beautiful and attainable for clutzes like me.
Kellie says
Kris, I always love seeing what you are busy with! You always have great ideas that inspire! Love the gift wrapping tips! Would love to see a tutorial on how you did the ribbon in your Christmas tree…it is absolutely beautiful!! Our family loves to look at Christmas lights each year. We have several fabulous neighborhoods that go all out and it’s fun to grab a hot cocoa and take it all in. With teenage boys it’s just enjoyable to capture them for a few hours!
Liz says
I agree! Please share your tips on putting the ribbon on your tree and making it look fantastic.
Yasmine says
What a great post! I love Container Store. We drink hot chocolate and watch Christmas movies!
Diana Lucas says
What a great post-I love your tips! The Container Store has been my go to for wrapping Christmas presents for years. One of our favorite traditions is to eat dinner by candlelight while listening to Christmas carols and then go for a drive together to look at beautiful Christmas lights. Merry Christmas!
Babette says
Wow, these are awesome ideas!! I never thought about wrapping my excess paper around the gift!! That is so thrifty!!! I love the double bow!! I’m definitely going to try that this year!! My favorite Christmas tradition is to go with our kids and pick out our live Christmas tree. Then we listen to Christmas music and decorate it!
Karen says
I love all your posts! My favorite Christmas tradition is the gathering of as many of the family as we can to share the holiday together. We are spread out all over the country, but have always gathered in mass for Christmas holidays. All of us pitch in to prepare the meal and throughout the day we play a variety of games together. Many wonderful memories made every year.
Amy Kaminski says
Wowza!! Beautiful packages. Thanks so much for the inspiration! My favorite family tradition is our big Christmas morning breakfast – which is usually in the afternoon after we’ve finished opening presents. 🙂 It’s usually dishes that we only have on Christmas morning which makes it special to all of us.,…..and it tastes so good. Then we all crash for a little nap. 🙂
Mary Duvall says
One of my favorite traditions is the White Elephant gift exchange with my gigantic family. You never know what is going to show up and it usually ends with people in hysterics. One year, someone brought a bust of Shakespeare! It was a hot item!
Ruthie says
We create a fun hunt for our grandchildren with rhyming clues (my husband is a genius!) we hide around the house. At the end, a family gift is revealed. When they were young, we once placed the clues on Mickey ears. The gift was a trip to Disney! Our grandkids are teens now but still look forward to this tradition.