Creative ideas and tips on how to wrap Christmas gifts.
Every year I do the standard gift wrap paper in a different colour theme, with coordinating bows that have extra curl and flair, along with the typical to/from tag. There are definitely some things you can do with curling ribbon, let me assure you. I love the stuff, especially how you can curl multiple colours in long lengths and then bunch together and tie on top of the gift. The bigger the curly mass on the present, the better. It's the easiest go to for someone who has either just realized they haven't wrapped gifts and it's Christmas Eve, or for the rookie wrapper. Want to get fancy? Place one of those shiny bows on top. Easy peasy.
This year I have decided to try something new. I LOVE craft paper. The look of it, the feel of it… Well, maybe not the feel of it. I will just say that it takes more tape than regular paper, and is quite a bit stiffer. Definitely hard to get that nice crease I got with the traditional paper (I may have gotten angry and thrown a slight fit trying to wrap the first box). But after a few tries it came along nicely. I decided this year that all the boy kiddos will be wrapped with blue yarn, while the girls will have doilies. I also ditched the same ol' same ol' gift tag and opted to do different fonts for names on the packages. Pretty simple. So here is a list of ideas you can use this holiday season for wrapping your loved ones gifts! Don't forget the Christmas music… And maybe some egg nog.
- Make it fun! For our son, I have wrapped a box of crayons onto the package for him to colour the wrap with. For my nephew, I chose a bamboo flute to tie on the front. Each is unique and fun in their own way!
- Who doesn't love candy and chocolate? Why not attach a trio of Ferrero Rocher to sweeten the holiday? An aquaintance of mine wrapped her kids gifts up in three boxes wrapped in white paper, tiered them up to be a snowman, and added Hershey's kisses as eyes and buttons on the snowman.
- Want a cheap add on to add something to make the present simple, yet chic? Dollar stores have packages of white doilies for a buck. Just paste it on with some white stick glue, let dry, and finish with ribbon or twine.
- Why not try twine or yarn this year instead of curling ribbon? Twine gives a rustic feel to packages. Like to make bows? Burlap is a very popular choice this year for a non-traditional bow.
- Try new ways to address your gifts. Pinterest and Google are FULL of different fonts you can use to write names. Try different pens as well, or opt for a Calligraphy pen.
- Stickers are an easy way to add a little dimension to a gift. Or cut out an initial out of cardstock to hang on your ribbon/string. Don't forget to hole punch a corner so you can attach it!
- Tie on an ornament, or get crafty and let your kids/yourself create an ornament to adorn your gift.
- Use a circular sponge and metallic paints to print dots onto your paper. This is a great one for kids to do!
- Let your kids decorate a package with crayons and markers, a touch that grandparents love.
- Add a length of lace around your package (secured in the back) before you put your twine or ribbon overtop to finish the traditional crossover tie.
- Washi Tape is a fun and modern twist on wrapping. Pick a festive red or other colour and cross it over in a star shape to create a 1Dimensional ribbon. Or, try criss crossing the tape across the package for a fun look.
Here's to enjoying a glass of wine, a bit of Christmas baking, or a cup of cider while getting those presents wrapped and ready for under the tree!
