17 Gift-Wrapping Ideas That Will Elevate Your Holiday Presents

Red and gold packages — Credit:
Kate Mathis

During the season of giving, it's the thought that counts—a sentiment that is easy to channel as you wrap gifts for your loved ones. At this point, the leg work is done: You chose the perfect present for everyone on your list, but now it's time to go the extra mile and wrap it.

To help you elevate your gift-wrapping skills, we curated several easy-to-recreate projects. Whether you découpage botanicals onto green-hued wrapping paper or paint butcher's paper red and gold, these ideas are great for DIYers of all skill levels. And while paper is the predominant medium when it comes to gift wrapping, it isn't your only option. Consider deadstock and vintage textiles or even fabric when covering presents, too.

To get inspired, keep reading for our best gift-wrapping ideas.

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Streamer Decorations

party streamers gift-wrapping — Jong Hyup

Simple party crepe-paper streamers criss-crossed and cut into fun shapes are all you need for this gift-wrapping idea. Layer several sizes (wide streamers, skinny streamers, and everything in between) for a unique plaid aesthetic that looks much more complicated to pull off than it is.

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Mixed Prints

gold foil gift-wrapping paper — Kirsten Francis

For a fun look for the pile of gifts under your tree, mix wrapping paper prints and textures within the same color family, like the shimmery golds and whites seen here.

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Button Central

Though they have vintage charm, these buttons are brand new! Wildly affordable and widely available at craft and sewing stores, they make unique gift-giving accents. Center one on a small box in place of a bow, or secure them onto card stock or tags with a twist of wire or an embroidery-floss stitch. Pick tiny bruins for Mama and Papa Bear, or add clever drawings (like our cabin-smoke names) to max out the impact of these minis.

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Minty Fresh

festive wrapping holiday packages — Jessica Antola

Turn plain packages into conversation pieces with flashy store-bought bows and decorative items like garlands, stickers, and birthday candles, as we did here. A cute party candle makes their holiday wish come true; the "flame" is cut-out masking tape topped with a sticker featuring their initial.

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Botanical Découpage

decoupage gift-wrapped — Kirsten Francis

Snip out botanical scenes from vintage posters or books and découpage them onto opaque green wrapping paper. The result? Something they truly won't want to unwrap.

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Statement Crepe

crepe paper string lights for gift wrapping — Addie Juell

Gold crepe paper, cinched on both ends by a fabric Christmas lights garland, transforms a rectangular box into something particularly sweet.

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Marble Paper

decoupaged gift wrapping — Kirsten Francis

Coat circular boxes in marbled paper for a keepsake that has nothing to do with the gift inside. They'll use these striking containers to store hats, seasonal accessories, and more.

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Gemstones

crystal gift-wrapping for the holidays — Kate Mathis

Whether you're working within a neutral color scheme—think brown and gold—or testing out some metallic patterns, a few on-palette gemstones can add shimmer and shine.

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Towel Ties

az-diy-packaging-125-d111933-fabric-wrapped-jam-0615.jpg — Bryan Gardner

Who says the best gift-wrapping ideas have anything to do with paper? These sweet boxes were tied off with a mix of vintage and deadstock fabrics, but you could use functional pieces, like tea towels, to add another present-worthy component.

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Translucent

With a series of crisp folds, glassine—or less expensive tissue—serves as both wrapping paper and ribbon.

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Vintage Linen

Wrap goods in vintage napkins, handkerchiefs, or other linens graced with lively patterns, and the packaging itself will serve as an added gift. Look for linens at flea markets, thrift stores, or online. Fabrics are particularly helpful when wrapping articles with shapes that don't lend themselves to paper. The rest is a cinch: Gather fabric around the item and tie it off with ribbon.

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Button Stamp

This button-stamped gift wrap is fun to make, and it's perfect for little ones' presents. Affix a button to a cork with double-sided tape. Place plain wrapping paper on a piece of felt to cushion the paper so the mark will be even. Dip the button in ink and stamp it onto the paper. Complete the look with a pretty button threaded through baker's twine and wrap it around the present.

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Jingle Bells

Re-create the sound of Santa's sleigh with a small bell attached to Christmas parcels. Purchase the bells at a craft store, and use lengths of thin ribbon or cord to secure to packages. The box shown here is also decorated with a band of velvet ribbon.

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Nature-Inspired

Accenting sprigs, berries, and leaves with glitter, silver paint, or micro-beads and affixing them to presents will turns your gifts into natural wonders.

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Bottle Wrap

Wrap bottles of wine in colorful fabric and top with a sprig of holly or pine for a seasonal touch.

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Mismatched Ribbon

Your presents don't all have to match—consult your ribbon supply and get creative by mixing and matching different shapes, sizes, patterns, and textures.

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Parchment Paper

No wrapping paper? No worries! Use parchment paper to wrap wine, soaps, lotion, and other bottled-goodies. Tie a name tag around it to personalize your token.