I used to think gift wrapping was just a necessary step before giving presents, but over the past few years, I’ve really come to enjoy it as part of the whole gift-giving experience. There’s something so satisfying about wrapping a gift beautifully and knowing it will bring a smile before it’s even opened.
Whether you love traditional holiday wrapping or want to try something different this year, here are some ideas to make your Christmas gifts look absolutely beautiful.
Classic and Elegant
Sometimes the traditional approach is the most beautiful.
Red and white: This timeless combination never goes out of style. Wrap gifts in solid red paper and tie with white ribbon, or vice versa. Add a sprig of fresh or faux evergreen tucked into the bow.
Green and gold: Deep green wrapping paper with gold ribbon feels luxurious and festive. Gold foil paper with green velvet ribbon is equally stunning.
All white: White or cream paper with white ribbon creates an elegant, sophisticated look. Add texture with different materials like grosgrain ribbon, satin, or burlap.
Plaid patterns: Classic holiday plaids in red, green, and gold bring cozy, traditional Christmas vibes.
Keep embellishments simple with these classic looks—the beauty is in the quality of materials and clean presentation.
Natural and Rustic
Bring the outdoors in with natural wrapping elements.
Kraft paper base: Brown kraft paper is affordable and provides a perfect neutral backdrop for natural decorations.
Twine instead of ribbon: Use natural jute twine or baker’s twine for a rustic feel. It’s eco-friendly and has great texture.
Evergreen sprigs: Tuck small sprigs of pine, cedar, or fir into your ribbon or twine. Real greenery smells amazing, but faux works too.
Pinecones: Attach small pinecones to packages with twine or hot glue.
Cinnamon sticks: Bundle 2-3 cinnamon sticks together with twine and attach to your package. They smell wonderful and look festive.
Dried orange slices: These add a pop of color and natural beauty. You can make them yourself or buy them dried.
Wood slice tags: Use small wood rounds as gift tags, writing names with a paint pen or marker.
This style is perfect if you love farmhouse or cottagecore aesthetics.
Modern and Minimalist
Clean, simple wrapping can be just as impactful as elaborate designs.
Monochromatic: Wrap everything in the same color family—all white, all navy, or all black with varying textures and minimal embellishment.
Single statement ribbon: Use one beautiful, high-quality ribbon as your only decoration. Wide velvet ribbon or silk ribbon makes a statement.
Geometric patterns: Choose wrapping paper with modern geometric designs in limited colors.
Simple tags: Minimalist gift tags with clean typography and no extra decoration.
Washi tape details: Use washi tape in metallic or subtle patterns to add small details without overwhelming the design.
The key to modern wrapping is restraint—each element should be intentional.
Whimsical and Fun
Embrace the playful side of the holidays.
Mix patterns: Don’t be afraid to use different wrapping papers for each gift. Mixing stripes, polka dots, florals, and plaids creates a fun, eclectic look under the tree.
Colorful pom-pom trim: Use pom-pom ribbon or glue individual pom-poms to your packages for a playful touch.
Vintage-inspired: Look for wrapping paper with retro holiday designs from the 1950s and 60s.
Unexpected colors: Try non-traditional holiday colors like pink and gold, turquoise and silver, or purple and green.
Oversized bows: Go big with your bows for extra drama and fun.
Bells and jingles: Attach small jingle bells to packages so they make a cheerful sound.
Personalized Touches
Make each gift feel extra special with personal details.
Custom tags: Create tags with each person’s name in beautiful lettering. You can hand-letter them, use a calligraphy pen, or print them.
Photo tags: Print small photos of the recipient and attach them as gift tags.
Meaningful ribbons: Use ribbons in the recipient’s favorite color.
Inside jokes: Add small drawings or words on the wrapping paper that reference inside jokes or special memories.
Handwritten notes: Write a small message directly on kraft paper or on a tag attached to the gift.
Hobby-themed: Add small elements related to the person’s interests—sheet music for a musician, small gardening tools for a gardener, etc.
Fabric and Furoshiki Wrapping
An eco-friendly alternative to paper that can be part of the gift.
Furoshiki technique: This Japanese wrapping method uses fabric squares to wrap gifts. The fabric becomes reusable and part of the gift.
Tea towels: Wrap gifts in pretty kitchen towels, especially good for kitchen-related gifts.
Scarves: Wrap a gift in a beautiful scarf that becomes part of the present.
Fabric scraps: Use interesting fabric pieces you already have, securing with ribbon or twine.
Pillow cases: Small gifts can be placed in decorative pillowcases tied with ribbon.
This approach is sustainable and adds an extra element to your gift.
Layered and Textured
Create visual interest by layering different materials.
Paper over paper: Wrap your gift in one paper, then add a band of contrasting paper around the middle.
Tissue paper layers: Use multiple colors of tissue paper layered together, with some edges peeking out.
Ribbon combinations: Layer different types of ribbon—velvet with grosgrain, or burlap with satin.
Mixed materials: Combine paper with fabric, or wrapping paper with tissue paper accents.
Texture variety: Use smooth paper with rough twine, or glossy ribbon on matte paper.
The contrast between different textures creates dimension and interest.
Embellishment Ideas
Small additions can transform a simple wrapped gift.
Fresh or faux greenery: Eucalyptus, pine, cedar, or holly sprigs tucked into ribbons.
Berries: Red berry sprigs add a pop of color and are very festive.
Ornaments: Attach a small Christmas ornament to the bow—it becomes an extra gift.
Candy canes: Classic and festive, especially for kids’ gifts.
Small toys: Tiny vintage toys or figurines hot glued to packages.
Vintage brooches: Attach a pretty vintage brooch instead of a traditional bow.
Felt shapes: Cut stars, trees, or other shapes from felt and glue to packages.
Stamps: Use holiday-themed stamps with ink pads directly on kraft paper or tags.
Tags and Labels
Don’t overlook the importance of a beautiful gift tag.
Handmade tags: Cut shapes from cardstock or old holiday cards and punch a hole for string.
Chalkboard tags: Small chalkboard tags where you can write names with chalk pen.
Wooden tags: Thin wood slices or laser-cut wooden shapes.
Vintage cards: Cut gift tags from old Christmas cards for a nostalgic touch.
Dried botanicals: Press flowers or leaves and attach them to simple tags.
Wax seals: Add a wax seal to envelope-style tags for an elegant touch.
Layered tags: Layer different sizes and colors of tags together.
The Joy of Wrapping
Gift wrapping is an opportunity to show care and thought before the gift is even opened. Taking time to wrap something beautifully communicates that the person matters to you.
Don’t stress about perfection—handmade, personal touches are often more meaningful than flawless presentation. Put on some holiday music, pour yourself some hot cocoa or tea, and enjoy the process.