10 Creative Tips for Holiday Gift Wrapping

Learn how to make gift boxes so pretty, your recipients may not want to open them.

By: Kim Stoegbauer

Related To:

Shop This Look

Photo By: Rennai Hoefer

1: Decide on a Color Palette and Theme

It is a brilliant idea to define your holiday theme and color palette each season. Whether you switch it up each year, or keep your style consistent for several years, having a distinct style makes it easy to shop for holiday wrap and embellishments. Rather than having a crazy variety of wrapped gifts under the tree, having a well-defined style will make your Christmas tree setup absolutely gorgeous! While there are a million color palettes and styles you could choose from, we are sharing three super-stylish ideas for this season: modern farmhouse, winter wonderland and classic Christmas.

2: Gather a Variety of Gift Wrap

Once you have defined your color palette and style, start gathering rolls of wrapping paper that will work with your theme.

2: Gather a Variety of Gift Wrap

Look for a mix of solids and patterns, with a variety of graphic pattern sizes. You can mix narrow stripes with wider stripes, as well as various buffalo check and plaid sizes.

3: Collect Pretty Ribbon, Twine and Embellishments

Beautiful ribbon is the secret to taking your gift wrapping from drab to fab. Look for various textures, widths and patterns to incorporate into your wrapping arsenal. Fun embellishments will add a special touch to your gift presentation, so start collecting small items like greenery sprigs, pine cones and bells to add to your supplies.

4: Organize Necessities Like Tape, Scissors and Pens

Make sure you have a pair of clean, sharp scissors. This will help ensure that your ribbon doesn’t fray when cut and will help prevent the wrapping paper from ripping. Double-sided tape and clear gift wrap tape are must-haves to keep on hand. Don’t forget to have your favorite pens handy for writing on the gift tags.

5: Use Greenery to Add a Festive Touch

There are so many great greenery options for embellishing gifts. Pine needles, berry sprigs and frosted branches are just a few types you can find easily.

5: Use Greenery to Add a Festive Touch

Greenery adds great dimension and texture to the top of any gift! If giving the gift right away, you can even use fresh greenery for a special touch.

5: Use Greenery to Add a Festive Touch

Add spray snow or glitter to give the greenery an elegant wintery touch.

6: Attach Coordinating Embellishments

Embellishments are the best way to dress up a present! No matter what you’re gift-wrap theme may be, there are endless options to choose from.

6: Attach Coordinating Embellishments

Glitter snowflakes add a touch of sparkle to gifts.

6: Attach Coordinating Embellishments

Jingle bells are festive and can be easily attached using ribbon and string.

7: Make a Stunning Tower of Boxes

For an impressive, elegant look, stack two or three boxes together with coordinating wrap and tie them together with fancy ribbon.

7: Make a Stunning Tower of Boxes

Add extra embellishments — like this holly sprig — to your stack for even more of a "wow" factor. It’s almost too pretty to open!

8: Traveling? Keep It Flat.

If you are traveling or shipping gifts, keep the ribbon and tag flat for easy packing. Instead of a bulky bow, wrap the ribbon around the box and secure with tape. You won’t have to worry about the bow getting smashed in transit. Top with a flat gift tag and you are ready to pack it! Still so cute, but travel and shipping friendly!

9: Personalize Packages With Photos

An adorable alternative to a traditional gift tag is to use a photo of the recipient. There’s no confusion about which gift goes to who, and it makes it feel so personalized.

9: Personalize Packages With Photos

The kids can wake up Christmas morning and have fun searching for the gifts with their smiling face on it! How fun!

10: Add Coordinating Printable Gift Tags

Our darling printable gift tags are the perfect finishing touch for your gifts. Download this design. Then simply print and add to your packages. Happy wrapping!

10: Add Coordinating Printable Gift Tags

Our darling printable gift tags are the perfect finishing touch for your gifts. Download this design. Then simply print and add to your packages. Happy wrapping!

10: Add Coordinating Printable Gift Tags

Our darling printable gift tags are the perfect finishing touch for your gifts. Download this design. Then simply print and add to your packages. Happy wrapping!

10 Creative Tips for Holiday Gift Wrapping

Related To:

Shop This Look

1: Decide on a Color Palette and Theme

2: Gather a Variety of Gift Wrap

2: Gather a Variety of Gift Wrap

3: Collect Pretty Ribbon, Twine and Embellishments

4: Organize Necessities Like Tape, Scissors and Pens

5: Use Greenery to Add a Festive Touch

5: Use Greenery to Add a Festive Touch

5: Use Greenery to Add a Festive Touch

6: Attach Coordinating Embellishments

6: Attach Coordinating Embellishments

6: Attach Coordinating Embellishments

7: Make a Stunning Tower of Boxes

7: Make a Stunning Tower of Boxes

8: Traveling? Keep It Flat.

9: Personalize Packages With Photos

9: Personalize Packages With Photos

10: Add Coordinating Printable Gift Tags

10: Add Coordinating Printable Gift Tags

10: Add Coordinating Printable Gift Tags

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