Decorating & Design
8 Gorgeous Holiday Gift-Wrapping Ideas
Published on December 7, 2016
If your holiday prep usually involves buying the same old kitschy wrap and ribbons, hold it right there. Here are eight clever ideas to put a high-design spin on your gift-wrapping game.
Skip the predictable bow in favor of intricate paper toppers. The facetted ball is made from a combination of cardstock and everyday computer paper, while the spiky star is based on a traditional Polish Christmas decoration. They’ll instantly elevate even the most basic wrapping paper and can also double as tree ornaments — so they feel like an extra gift.
For full instructions, click here.
This sweet take on place cards is a fun way to welcome guests, and they do double duty as party favors. Choose cardstock in a festive palette — we went with a Victorian-inspired selection of earthy pastels — and use a quirky paper punch on inexpensive paper tags for a fun finishing touch.
For full instructions, click here.
A literary-inspired sachet is the perfect way to package a small present or gift card. We used pages from an old book found at a garage sale, but you could also photocopy a page from a favorite read onto parchment paper, then tea-stain it for a vintage look.
To tea-stain, blot pages with a wet tea bag, making sure not to leave any white spots. You’ll need two pages for each sachet. Trim each page so there’s a 1⁄2″ margin around the text. Layer the two pages text side out, then stitch along the sides and bottom, leaving the top open. Punch a hole in the top, then tie with a small piece of ribbon.
Instead of stuffing a gift certificate into an envelope, roll the paper up and insert in a cork-topped test tube.
We turned metallic paper fans into luxe toppers in one super easy step: just fully extend the fan and glue the two ends together. Attach to beribboned boxes and you’re done.
Kraft paper is the perfect backdrop for a mod, washi-tape masterpiece. Buy tape in different widths and colors, then create your own too-pretty-to-rip pattern. Hint: add some string for a bit of texture and don’t feel constrained to grid-like designs.
Wrap boxes in simple, solid paper — kraft paper is classic, but sky blue, deep red or a pretty melon hue work, too — then add layers of ribbon in juicy colors and different widths for a unique take on festive wrapping.
Here’s a clever way to give basic paper gift bags a luxe upgrade: carefully remove the handles and discard, then thread a piece of silky ribbon through the holes on each side, knotting each end to create a new handle. We went with rich, jewel-toned ribbon, but you can use offcuts from other presents, or splash out on a special pattern.
Angus Fergusson
House & Home November 2015
Joel Bray, Lynda Felton (prop)