Decorating & Design
20+ Best Holiday Gift Wrapping Ideas
Published on December 15, 2023
It’s time to start wrapping! Break out your scissors, tape, ribbon and bows and take inspiration from these beautifully wrapped gifts from the pages of H&H. This year’s favorite looks include a bojagi (traditional Korean wrapping cloth), checkerboard wrapping paper and patchwork gift wrap — a sustainable DIY craft that uses old paper, calendars or cardstock. Scroll down!
A gift wrapped with a bojagi (traditional Korean wrapping cloth) is a sustainable alternative to using paper. Watch our video here to learn these easy steps!
Instead of throwing away the small ends of paper, combine 2 or more different holiday wraps on one present.
Get the full tutorial for this DIY, plus more crafts here.
Designer Gillian Segal chose minimalist wrapping paper for her Hanukkah gifts. “If you choose something solid, I would suggest a material that has a texture or sheen. This will add interest and not appear too flat,” she says. “Plus, I love that these aren’t holiday specific. We can use them for friends and family that celebrate Christmas, or for birthday presents throughout the year!”
If red, green and sparkle isn’t your holiday style, take cues from Matthew & Rick Bettencourt’s holiday home. Checkerboard and striped gift wrap are right on point among their vast collection of vintage furniture and collectibles.
Don’t know what to do with all of your wrapping paper scraps? Turn them into kirigami bows — it’s an origami technique that involves cutting and folding paper.
There’s a tutorial here.
The next time you’re out for a walk, pick up some individual sprigs, dried flowers or leaves and tuck them underneath the ribbon of each present for a festive and fragrant dose of nature.
Create your own painted brushstroke gift wrap like florist Alison Westlake (aka Coriander Girl), and complete the look with foraged accents.
Find the DIY instructions here.
When wrapping your gifts, add pretty ribbons and cords, then elevate the look by attaching tassels or bells as toppers.
Give your old greeting cards the attention they deserve (rather than sitting in a box at the back of your closet). Create two slits on either end of the card, insert a ribbon and wrap it around the present.
Designer Alison Milne takes a sustainable approach to gift wrapping by dying Belgian linen with turmeric, avocado pits and blackberries. “The colors are unique, and we end up with wraps that double as hand towels,” she says.
Celebrate the eight days of Hanukkah with these crafty paper bags. Cut out decorative paper into rectangles for your candle bases, and glue them onto the bags. Next, cut yellow “flames” out of tissue paper and add them to the top of the candles.
Instead of buying new holiday paper, wrap your presents with images from last year’s calendar. For smaller items, use the whole calendar page as gift wrap and, for larger items, start with a foundation of kraft paper, then cut out decorations (like this star motif) or scenes from your calendar, and simply glue them on.
See how to make this wrap here.
To take this natural greenery look to the next level, try cutting and arranging birchbark, leftover scraps of wrapping paper and fallen foliage into miniature designs.
Use cardstock, old calendars or wallpaper ends to make these festive treat cones and fill them with goodies. This is a clever way to wrap all kinds of small homemade goodies.
See how to make them here!
Put your painting skills to the test with this super easy paint project! Elevate kraft paper by brushing on sweet little bows in a dainty light pink color (or whatever hue speaks to you). No ribbon necessary!
Calling all calligraphers (or those with gorgeous handwriting)! Personalize your presents with a handwritten holiday greeting that captures the spirit of the season.
Not only are these whimsical bags perfect for carrying holiday treats, they also double as decor. Using a white paint marker, draw little house details on plain paper bags. Punch two holes at the top of the bag, fold and secure with a ribbon.
Luxurious silk ribbons in muted blue, rust and brick red are the perfect topper for metallic-accented paper.
Designer Ami McKay upcycled a “Merry Christmas” garland and turned it into a custom letter gift tag. Kraft paper with tree stamps, pom pom ribbon and natural greenery create an understated yet impactful display.
Dip the corners or edges of white kraft paper into diluted dye, leaving it for a few seconds and up to a minute. Lay on a flat, protected surface. When dry, wrap your gifts!
Monochrome wrapping paper — in polka dot and foliage prints — with saturated red ribbons creates a cool festive display when piled all together under the tree.
Sometimes simple is best. With cream wrapping paper and an understated silk ribbon, these gifts fit perfectly in this timeless dining room. “I wrap things early because for me, wrapping is part of decorating,” says homeowner Tara Hurst.
Adding branches and winter greens to your gift wrapping adds rustic charm. Bonus points if you use real foliage, which will give your presents that festive evergreen scent.