I told my mom I would work there for free and they would never need to pay me! I mean, is there anything more satisfying than a well-wrapped Christmas present?!
When I was on Christmas break at school, I would go to work with my mom and her co-workers would bring in their gifts.
I would wrap gifts in the break room. Having two other siblings, I wrapped all of their gifts every Christmas and even some of my own. Gift wrapping is a part of my soul. I can’t get enough of it.
I was watching a TV show about the Spelling Manor and fell in love with her gift wrapping room. Google it! That’s a dream of mine. Some of you might love gift wrapping like myself and others might be looking for a quick way to wrap a gift with style. This list will provide gift wrapping ideas for any skill level.
Table of Contents
Gift Wrapping: Wrapping Paper
Double-Sided Paper and a Built-In Pocket
Found on Schoen-Einpacken
No more taping the card to the front of the paper or carrying it hoping it makes its way to the receiver. This is the most creative form of gift wrapping I have seen in a while using double-sided wrapping paper.
I found this beautiful double-sided wrapping paper on Amazon.
Mix-and-Match Coordinated Chic
Found on Extra Petite
The mixture of the plaid wrapping paper with the brown paper pulls this gift wrapping together perfectly. I love the idea of using nature to add some extra “BAM” to these gifts. There is just something about the mix of simple and rustic that gives Christmas gift wrapping ideas elegant touches!
Keep It Cohesive With A Theme
Found on Stone Gable
These images of fancy gift packaging prove that using different wrapping paper and bows in the same color scheme pulls all of the gifts together. I always use a theme when wrapping gifts under my tree. I would have anxiety if there was a wrapping paper that did not go along with the rest.
This is actually a great gift wrapping idea for kids, because then since all the gifts look fairly similar they either need to have patience to get their gifts passed out to them, or they have to wait and read (if they’re old enough) and find the gifts themselves for a little extra fun!
Minimalist Color Scheme (2-color)
Found on Cottage in the Making
Sticking with a color scheme also allows you to pick up bows, ribbon and other additions in the matching color scheme to always stock up on. This is one of those easy gift wrapping ideas that I LOVE because it lets me get SO creative and festive with which bows and ribbons I use, but it makes it so much easier to know that no matter what paper or ribbon I grab without looking I KNOW it will match perfectly!
Custom-Made Watercolor Wrapping Paper
Found on You Are My Fave
Ok, so it’s not store-bought wrapping paper. But this is such a cool idea to MAKE your own paper! It’s a great way to keep kids busy in the colder months when they’re back and forth with school conferences, can’t play outside because of weather, and have more and more days off for holidays — have them work on making wrapping paper!
Use red and/or greens for Christmas paper stashes, or let their imaginations run wild for any occasion! Either way, it’s sure to be a time-consuming activity for them (giving you some quiet time) and to put a smile on the face of whoever gets that custom paper on their gift!
Gift Wrapping: Plain Paper
Chalkboard Gifts
Found on Going Home to Roost
I love this chalkboard look for gift wrapping. It also makes the gifts look and feel so personalized. You need black craft paper and some white markers or pens. So unique.
This black wrapping paper and white marker are perfect for the above look. Put this one at the top of your list of gift wrapping ideas for him, because nothing is less girly and more manly than a plain black package with a simple name printed on it in crisp white marker!
Custom Washi Tape Designs
Found on DIY Inspired
Washi tape–need I say more! The colors and options are endless. Washi tape can be used to spice up gift wrapping for any occasion. Washi tape comes in so many amazing colors and patterns.
If you can learn how to wrap gifts creatively like this, you’ll never want for store-bought wrapping paper again!
Little Girl’s Rainbow Fun
Found on Tikkido
Instead of trying to hold all of the ribbons together and then tie a bow, use tape. Tape the ribbon on the side of the gift to get the perfect spacing. Use a cheap dollar store toy or ornament in the middle to tie the gift together.
As you can tell, when it comes to gift wrapping ideas ribbon creativity really can make all the difference!
Hand-Painted Extra Touch
Found on Cakies
This idea is perfect for a lazy gift wrapper. Simply take brown paper and paint on your own bow. Another semi-manly wrapping job to add to your gift wrapping ideas for him!
Elegant In Black
Found on PopSugar
Using a color out of the ordinary for the specific holiday makes a bold statement. This easy gift wrapping idea is still so very elegant. Swap out the Christmas-y looking foliage above for a flower to make a statement on birthday and have a gorgeous gift wrapping idea for wedding gifts!
Kid-Friendly Wrapping Paper Craft
Found on Burlap + Blue
How fun is this? I love that it’s a kid-friendly gift wrapping idea too — you could even let your kids make their own paper with their own unique set of colors so that they’ll know at-a-glance which gifts under the tree are for them!
Pom-Pom Fun
Found on Cotton and Flax
How cute is this? While in this example they made the polka dot paper themselves, you could always use plain and make a multi-colored pom-pom to save time and still have a super fun look!
I have a friend who just adores TinkerBell, and this would be a perfect idea for her…paint fairy slippers on the paper and glue a couple of small white pom poms on top!
Custom Stamped Designs
Found on Handmade Charlotte
Oh. My. Gosh. I would NEVER have thought you could turn a lint roller into a stamp!!! I LOVE this end result — the winter scene makes such an adorable and simple gift wrapping idea! How fun!
Gift Wrapping: Odd Paper
Important Date Wrapping Paper
Found on The Chic Site
Now this cute gift wrapping idea for birthdays is SAVVY! Buy one large desk calendar on clearance and you’ll have “wrapping paper” on hand to use in gift wrapping ideas for birthdays for 12 different people.
Personalized Word-Search Paper
Found on Something Turquoise
You can use their free editable download to print out this personalized word search paper.
Sheet Music Upcycle Wrapping Paper
Found on DIY Weddings Mag
I love the idea of using sheet music as a form of wrapping paper. Pick up some discounted sheets at a local music store and finish it off with a bow.
You might notice the bottom two packages in this image use a different type of wrapping material, but the simple black and white coordination makes it so subtle but so cool!
Frugal Newspaper Wrapping Paper
Found on Fairview Farm
Even using a newspaper you have around your house to wrap a gift is a savvy move. What better of the three R’s to use than to reuse! I would definitely call this a different style of gift wrapping and it would surely draw some odd looks from my family, but hey, at least it’s frugal and eco-friendly!
Use Tissue Paper For A Softer Package
Found on Gift Wrapping 977
When we think of tissue paper, we do not necessarily think of it as a substitute for wrapping paper. Tissue paper normally comes in bright colors and is cheaper than wrapping paper, but it reall does make a great gift wrapping “paper” material!
Amazon or the dollar store is a great place to purchase tissue paper.
Grocery Bag Repurpose
Found on A Creative Mint
Whether you use stamps on a plain brown bag to make your own custom paper or simply find bags from stores that use their own holiday print, this is a super fast and easy way to be festive with your gift wrapping without spending a ton of time or money! Finding ways for how to make Christmas wrapping paper at home will save you a TON of money during the holidays!
Gift Wrapping: Unique Items
Pringles Can Makeover
Found on A Baker’s House
Need a gift packing box for a delicate ornament or a stack of cookies? Try this idea! Such a savvy way to reuse an item that would be tossed into the garbage can – just make sure to give it a good cleaning first!
Custom-Curl Paper Wine Bottle Sleeve
Found on Pouted
Such a cool way to give a wine bottle as a gift. Anyone can use a pair of scissors, so this is definitely what I would call a creative gift wrapping technique! More unique than placing it in a wine bag. Use different colored paper to match the occasion.
An All-In-One Coordinated Gift + Wrapping
Found on Shutterfly
How fun is this? And a great idea for the cook or college student in your life! Wrap a bottle of gourmet cooking oil with a tea towel for the “paper” and a wooden utensil for the “bow” and you’ve got an adorable and entirely functional gift, wrapping and all! #nowaste
Fabric-Wrapped Fun
Found on Mollie Makes
Use fabric to wrap up a gift and tie it in a bow. Perfect for someone who is not confident in their wrapping abilities and can benefit from an easy solution. You could even use a muslin blanket to have an adorable and totally custom gift wrapping idea for baby shower gifts!
This is also an excellent idea for those odd-shaped gifts that need gift wrapping ideas without a box! Just grab a big enough piece of fabric and tie it in place like a big sack!
Obnoxious But Fun Gift Wrapping Idea
Found on I Save A2Z
Normally played as a game. However, you could wrap gifts to a neighborhood family or children of a family you exchange gifts with. Have them play the game to unwrap or just give them the difficulty of working hard to enjoy their gift.
Paint Chip Mini DIY Gift Boxes
Found on DIY Projects
Free paint chips from a local hardware store can be turned into these little gift boxes. You can color-code them to match the occasion you need them for. Might be a cool idea to use to give gift cards, because I’m not about to try to figure out how to wrap a gift card with wrapping paper!
Interactive Gift Wrapping Idea – A Gift That Keeps On Giving!
Found on Lines Across
OK, so the boxes themselves aren’t exactly as unique as the others in this section….but the fact that the kids can PLAY WITH THEIR GIFTS before they even unwrap them is incredible! This is perfect for toddlers and very young kids especially, for two reasons: 1) it keeps them busy so you can have the family take turns for who is opening a gift next, and 2) it teaches them to slow down and unwrap carefully, or else they’ll ruin the road for their car or their freshly decorated tree! I love it!
Money Balloons
Found on Sugar and Charm
What a fun idea for a teenage birthday or a graduation party! This might be the most festive AND unique gift wrapping idea I’ve ever seen!
Gift Wrapping: Wrap-Up
Wrapping is something I clearly enjoy doing. No matter what your skill level is at wrapping this list will help you make your gift unique. Think outside the box when it comes to wrapping. Use items that normally are not used for gift wrapping.
Happy wrapping, everyone!
