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!
Maureen Hansen says
my favorite holiday tradition was, as a child, sitting at the dining room table with my older brother and younger sister, and playing the guessing game of trying to find the ornament by describing the colors…..simple pleasures of children!
Keri says
I’m also known for my creative and “upscale” gift wrapping during the holidays (and really ANY time, ANY gifts). Loved your post. Our tradition is to wear elf hats/glasses/shirts and watch the movie ELF together. We all have the movie memorized now and it’s so funny to hear everyone quote-along! I mean, what’s not to like about watching a grown man run around in yellow tights spreading “Chistmas Cheer” for 90 minutes every Holiday Season?!
Barbara Swoyer says
My favorite holiday tradition, by far, is baking. I also love using natural greenery inside and outside of the house to decorate.
Ginger says
Loved all of your ideas. I also love all the pretty packages under my tree. My kids are all grown and are spread out over the country so it is really hard for everyone to get together. Last year, I took the family to Hawaii over the Thanksgiving week. We loved it and have so many wonderful memories. Only problem was that I didn’t have any gifts to wrap and put under the tree. Also, I didn’t get to see any of my kids during Christmas. Pretty SAD time!!! This year I will see one of my children but I do have gifts to wrap and put under my tree. Our favorite tradition has always been trimming the tree and decorating while we watch “White Christmas” with Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye. Wonderful movie that puts you in the mood for Christmas!!!
Lisa says
My favorite “alone” tradition is wrapping presents leisurely. My favorite “together” tradition is driving around, looking at lights in our pajamas! Christmas music on, laughing, big eyes! Merry Christmas and thank you for the opportunity.
Sue Cox says
Those are some of the prettiest gift wraps I’ve seen–well done you. My favorite holiday tradition is wrapping gifts (yes, truly) while listening to my Christmas CDs with a glass of champagne close at hand. I love Midnight Mass, too. Last year I was staying with friends in England and we walked through their small village to the local church where we were all given candles to hold during the service. The lights were low and the candlelight was magical.
Jessica Jesse says
My fave holiday tradition since I was little is my parents and me and my little brother would bake cookies or some other tasty treat on christmas eve and then when the treats were baked and ready to be eaten we would sit around the christmas tree while either my dad or mom would read The Bernstein Bears’ Christmas Tree and The Night Before Christmas. We still do the same thing but now with more addtions to the family ?
Liz says
Kris, these ideas are very inspiring. You have a way of making everything beautiful! My favorite tradition is drinking some great wine while I wrap all of our gifts.
Sue says
Love your wrapping tips! We love to watch National Lampoons Christmas Vacation every year on Christmas Eve. So reminds us of our family and the similar traditions we have.
Debbie says
Love this post! Packages and your tree are all very pretty. In fact, everything you touch is beautiful! One of my favorite traditions is to sit down on Christmas Eve and watch “It’s a Wonderful Life” with my hubby while sipping hot cocoa or spiced apple cider. Merry Christmas to you and your family and thank you for the give away!
Leigh Braswell says
I have always loved giving ornaments as Christmas gifts. I’ve gotten each of my children and grandchildren their own special ornament for every year they’ve been here and when my older children married and left home they got to choose which ornaments they wanted to take with them to start their own ornament collection (leaving one or two for Mom!). I even give my hairdresser an ornament every year. Last year I decided to do something different because I thought she might be getting bored with the same thing year after year. She’s been doing my hair for over 10 years. She was so disappointed. She said, “But you get me an ornament every year!” LOL!! Back to that tradition.
Becka says
I love to have the whole family pile in the car and look at Christmas Lights. Great post, lots of inspiration!
Lisa says
Kris, your tree is so beautiful! I love the gorgeous ribbons you used and the color palette! And who knew you were a professional wrapper? These are SUCH great ideas and all your gifts look so pretty. I think you need to get your biz going again!
Jody K says
Boy, could I use the container store gift certificate! We have a tradition of getting together with our grown children for brunch on Christmas morning. The kids look forward to dad’s spinach croissants among other things.
Colleen says
Watching Christmas movies and drinking hot chocolate!
Kristen says
Instead of a star or an angel, we put always put a yellow light at the top of the tree so Santa Mouse can find his way to our house. (it’s from a children’s book)