I’ve been there, frantically stuffing tissue paper into a gift bag, and I’m no stranger to a stick-on bow either. Yet, when Christmas rolls around I step up my wrap game. Family and close friends probably don’t want me to reveal their dirty little secret, which is that I’ve been wrapping their presents too. So, you could say I’ve got a resume of sorts. I’m not Cardi B, but I can teach you how to be a wrap star this Christmas!
There is a simple formula to follow: paper, ribbon, tag, topper. I’ve come up with lists in each category to help make your present wrapping a breeze. (Some of you may already have these items lying around your house or yard.) Plus, I’ve included some of my favorite tools to get the job done.
Ribbon
Kitchen/Baking/Garden Twine: I love using these materials for “farmhouse” style wrapping.
Fabric Ribbon/Ric Rac/Yarn: I have a ribbon stash for Christmas. It’s a box where I collect ribbon from packaging all year long. Of course, you could always buy some too!
Tulle: You can buy a giant roll of this, it can come in assorted colors and it will last you a loooonnngg time!
Deco Mesh Tube: Some people use deco mesh tubing for wreaths, but I love it to create whimsical gift wrapping for children. I snagged a bunch at Dollar Tree this year.
Mini Christmas Tree Tinsel/Garland: Lots of whimsy to be had here too.
Gift Wrap Scraps: Use a coordinating paper and wrap it like a band around your box or item.
Tags
Christmas Magazines/Catalogues: Cut out shapes like Christmas trees or scenes from pretty catalogues like Anthropologie (my personal fave).
Brown/White Kraft Paper Tags: Great to use all year long. If you’re feeling extra crafty, you can decorate them (or let your kids go to town!).
Paper Grocery Store/Lunch Bags: Cut out your tag shape, crumple it up then smooth it out. It will give your tag a rustic look.
Black Poster Board: You can cut out shapes, and the black poster board gives your tag a chalkboard look. You can even use a chalkboard pen on the poster board.
Paint Chip Cards: Head to your nearest Home Depot or Lowe’s and stock up. There are so many fun uses for these little cards beyond Christmas tags!
Toppers
Mini Christmas Ornaments: You can buy a bunch in one package and get a lot of bang for your buck.
Mini Gifts: I love attaching little extras to the outside of packages. Lip gloss for a niece, a pot holder for grandma. It’s a little tease about what could be inside.
Nature: My children already collect random things from nature to give me. (You probably have gotten some of those “gifts” too!) Pine branches, holly, magnolia leaves, pine cones, feathers, rosemary and cinnamon sticks are another way to make your package festive and smell good too.
Paper Snowflakes: The kind kids make in school. Put your little elves to work!
Jingle Bells: You can buy a package from the craft section of most stores. You get a lot of jingle for not a lot of jingle.
Tools
Double-Stick Tape: A total game changer! Get those neat corners and edges without having to be an origami expert.
Good Scissors: I hide my good “paper” scissors from my children. For. Mom. Only.
Gift Wrap Paper Cutter: I have one but it doesn’t always get great results. Sometimes my good scissors work just as well.
Hair Flat Iron: I give credit to BuzzFeed for this amazing idea. It’s a quick and simple way to “iron” fabric ribbon!
Hole Puncher: Make your own gift tags with some of the materials from above and tie them on.
Glue Dots: Great for sticking on some of the creative toppers you come up with!
As for wrapping paper, Home Goods, TJ Maxx and Marshalls are great places to buy it. Usually the paper will be a heavier weight making it easier to use for wrapping presents. Another strategy: brave after Christmas sales and stock up on wrapping paper and other gift wrap supplies. I hit World Market last year and picked up really unique toppers and tags for pennies!
This year my kids are going to “create” some gift wrap for the special people in their lives using a roll of plain brown wrapping paper. I’m going to give them red and green paint and let them go. Fingers crossed this little Christmas wrapping-paper experiment goes well! And it’s the thought that counts, isn’t it?
