Want some simple ideas for wrapping gifts this Christmas?
Spice up your Christmas gifts! 🎁
Team bags, or wrapping? You’ll love these frugal and easy gift-wrapping ideas that make it seem like you went the extra mile…but with minimal extra effort.
We know you’re busy so all of these ideas are easy to create, stylish, and some require just one or no piece of tape! 🤩
1. Give a bottle wine with a pair holiday socks.
It’s a wonderful gift, especially for a party or if you want to give it as a thoughtful Christmas present. This is a cute and easy method that takes only a few minutes to complete. Grab a pair of cute Christmas socks and some wine.
P.S. Michaels sells my cute Nutcracker socks, along with the red and White Reindeer socks!
You can get this look by:
- Place the wine bottle in one of your socks.
- Tie another sock to the top of the first one, like a scarlet
2. These gingerbread-decorated gift bags look fancy, but they are easy to create!
You can find these plain craft paper bags at any craft or dollar store. It turns out that they are the perfect backdrop to a gingerbread gift bag! Grab a paint brush and draw simple details on the gingerbread house! The results are adorable.
You can get this look by:
- To make the bag look like a roof, use scissors to cut the corners.
- Draw the details of the gingerbread house using a white paint brush.
- Add the gift in the bag. Add tissue paper.
- Staple each side of the bag’s top.
- Add a ribbon to your choice.
3. Make a poinsettia gift topper with folded paper and hot adhesive.
Here’s a very fun way to make a pretty poinsettia present topper that looks fancy but is very easy to create. I used a 12×12 piece of scrapbook paper, but you can use any paper, even wrapping paper.
Remember when you were in school and would fold the paper in half to cut out hearts? You can use the same technique, but cut a leaf shape instead. You can give the poinsettias a cool 3-D effect by folding the paper.
You can get this look by:
- Fold a piece of 12×12 scrapbook paper and cut out 5 smaller “petal” shapes and 5 larger ones. Don’t measure. My larger leaves were about 3 inches, and my smaller ones around 2 inches. Continue folding paper sections and cutting leaves. Cut a circle for gluing your leaves.
- Use a tiny dot of hot adhesive at the end to attach the five larger leaves.
- Glue the smaller leaves on top.
- Add a decorative embellishment, such as faux berries, to the middle.
- Your present will look better if you use tape or glue.
4. This candy wrapper technique doesn’t require tape and is perfect for those long scraps of wrapping paper you have left over.
Wrapping Christmas gifts is easy with this idea. It’s perfect for those leftover strips of wrapping paper. Wrap any cylinder shaped item. From bottles of shampoo to toothbrush holders, you can do it all!
You can get this look by:
- Make sure you measure your paper so that it can go around the cylinder. Leave a few inches at each end.
- Wrap your item by rolling it up and centered in the wrapping paper.
- To keep the paper in place, hold the center of the cylinder while pinching both the ends.
- Secure your package by securing it with ribbon or string.
5. Use washi tape for a quick way to add a festive Christmas tree to your packaging.
Do you have a stash or decorative washi tapes? Here’s a great opportunity to incorporate it into your Christmas gift wrapping! You can choose to use several designs or just one for a cleaner look.
You can get this look by:
- Wrap your gift with a paper of a single color. (Drawing paper rolls were used..)
- Place washi tape in a tree shape, starting with the largest piece and working your way down.
- For the star, glue a small sequin or button at the top.
6. One of our simple gift-wrapping ideas is to make envelopes for cards using only one piece of tape.
Want to dress up some flat boxes? This gift wrapping idea is perfect for books, clothes boxes, and literally any rectangular or square item that’s flat. Best of all, if requires just one piece of tape and you’ll end up with slots to stash away extras like your cards, scratch-off tickets, gift cards, and whatever other surprises you have up your sleeve. 😉
You can get this look by:
- Measure your wrapping paper making sure it folds down about 3/4 of the way down the front of your package and making sure there’s extra paper on the sides and end. (You’ll want about twice as much as you’d cut if wrapping traditionally).
- Fold your paper down the top of your package so that it’s covering 3/4 of the top of your package. (No tape necessary, but you can tape it down if it’s easier).
- Fold the paper over to the top and crease the left and right sides. You should now have two envelopes.
- Fold over the top of the paper, creasing its edges and sides.
- Fold the ends of the package in the traditional way by folding the right and the left side.
- Fold the bottom up and the top down.
- Fold the bottom up and tape the top piece of your package.
- Add your card and other extras to the slots.
7. Give your gifts a natural look by using evergreens or other elements that are found outside.
Have a freshly cut Christmas tree? Cut some extra greenery out of a wreath, or a tree that is still fresh for an elegant and frugal present topper! It’s a great idea for a frugal present topper because you can use the extra greenery from a wreath or fresh tree.
You can get this look by:
- Wrap your gift with kraft paper or solid-colored gift wrap. You could also use a paper grocery shopping bag turned inside out.
- Tie pieces of fresh greenery to the top using baker’s twine.
- Use a Sharpie in black to write a message on the package.
8. Repurpose greeting cards into tags or toppers.
Do you have pretty greeting cards that date back to years ago? You can repurpose the front of your paper cards into adorable tags or toppers for presents if you’re looking for a clever way to utilise those cards that have been lying around. Use some fun and festive 3-dimensional cards embellished with paper to create this easy gift wrapping idea.
You can get this look by:
- Wrap your gift with the wrapping paper of your choice.
- You can use the front side of an old card to make a tag for a gift or as a topper. Use a cookie cutter or a stencil to create a fun shape.
- Tape the repurposed tag on the front of your gift, or punch a small hole and attach it to it with ribbons or twine.
9. Use a festive dish towel or fabric to wrap a gift and it’ll double as two gifts in one.
You can wrap a gift for a new homeowner, or give a kitchen item as a hostess gift. This is a beautiful and sustainable gift wrapping idea where you can use a towel you already have or scoop up a festive new towel for just a few bucks! The bottle of wine pictured above was wrapped in an adorable dish towel.
You can get this look by:
- Place the gift in the middle of the towel. Make sure that the decorative side faces out.
- Secure the excess material with ribbon or twine.
10. This cute and simple gift wrap idea uses a black pen to doodle cars and a bottlebrush tree.
You love art? Draw a car, or any other festive artwork to bring your plain wrapping paper to life. We love this easy idea and by adding a cute bottle brush tree on top, you’ll have some gift wrap your giftee is sure to never forget!
You can get this look by:
- Wrap your present in plain paper. Pick a lighter shade so that the marker stands out.
- Draw a car to the front of your package.
- Tie a small bottle brush tree to the top using baker’s twine.
11. Create shapes from kraft paper.
If you want to give a soft item, like socks or a scarf as a gift, this is the perfect idea! It’s a great way to disguise a gift by using two pieces of wrapping papers to form a shape.
You can get this look by:
- Make sure to align the two pieces of paper. You can use a real stocking as a guide to trace this shape.
- The top can be left open.
- Put the gift inside.
- Staple up the top.
- Decorate and embellish the exterior as desired.
12. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is a cute and simple gift-wrapping idea.
Use a red craft pom, plain wrapping papers, and a marker to create this adorable Rudolph gift wrap. Drawing paper was used as wrapping paper but you could also use white or kraft.
You can get this look by:
- Wrap your gift with a solid, light color such as kraft paper or white.
- On the top of your gift, use a black pen to draw simple features such as eyes and antlers.
- Attach the red craft pom with a glue gun, or any other adhesive that dries quickly.
13. Create a unique basket of gifts for the host or new homeowner by placing your gifts into a large jar.
A jumbo storage jar like this 1-gallon glass one makes an excellent gift “wrapping” idea. because you can fill it with whatever you’d like, just like a gift basket. The gift looks so beautiful, and it can be used by the recipient for many years after Christmas.
You can get this look by:
- Add a layer faux snow or tissue paper in white to the bottom of the jar.
- Fill with gifts of your choice
- Finish with a ribbon or bow, if you wish.
14. Hide a gift card to your friend’s favorite coffee shop inside a plastic drinking cup.
This is a great way to give gift cards. It will make a big impression on teachers and can be an inexpensive gift for groups. Simply hide your gift card inside a plastic drinking cup filled with Hershey’s Kisses to sweeten the gift even more.
If you want to buy a gift card, you may be able to get a cup for free. This could differ by location but worked out for our gift. As a bonus, your “gift wrap” for this easy idea will be free!
You can get this look by:
- Half-fill a Starbucks Frappuccino or plastic drinking glass with candy.
- Fill the cup to the top with candies, then add a Starbucks giftcard in the middle.
- Add some tissue paper in white to the dome lid to make it look like whipped cream.
- Finish with a bow on the straw.
15. Candy gift toppers are a great way to make a gift extra sweet for teenagers and children.
Have you ever met someone with a sweet-tooth? You can easily add their favorite candy as a tasty bonus to any gift. You could even do this with wrapped baked goods like decorative sugar cookies or chocolate-covered pretzels – the options are endless!
You can get this look by:
- Wrap your gift in the usual way.
- Use ribbon to tie a piece of candy at the top or slide your candy under the ribbon after it’s tied in place.
16. A paint can that is empty makes a beautiful gift wrap!
Your local hardware store has a unique gift wrapping idea to consider – empty paint cans! You can grab them for about $3 each at Lowe’s and fill them with paint supplies for a new homeowner, tools and other odds and ends for dad, or whatever else the handyman or handywoman in your life will appreciate.
Grab a few paint chip cards from the hardware store, and cut them in a tree-shaped shape to create a unique gift tag that fits the theme of the paint!
Download our FREE Merry & Bright printable to complete your gift!
You can get this look by:
- You can decorate your paint can by using ribbon, wrapping paper, scrapbooking papers, or anything else you have. Download the free printable from above.
- Fill with gifts of your choice
- Use our paint card or any other gift tag as a finishing touch to your gift.
17. Zip ties are great for gag gifts or to make the unwrapping last longer.
You’re looking for some funny/silly ideas to wrap gifts for the person who unwraps their presents in record time. Wrap the gift in plastic zip ties and tie it. That ought to slow them down, and it’s one sure way to draw out the suspense of what’s inside! Ha! 😁
You can get this look by:
- Wrap your gift the same as you always do.
- Tie zip ties around your package. (If one doesn’t fit around your package, zip multiple zip ties together until you have the length you need and secure the ends together.
- To create a seamless appearance, trim the ends.
18. Give a game instead of a wrapped gift.
Consider creating a fun hangman game instead of wrapping the actual gift. The answer will lead them directly to their gift. It will be an unexpected and fun surprise for the person you give it to. This is particularly fun for children. Since we have the “four gift rule”, I often do this with my children to make our mornings go a little longer. Plus, it’s a fun idea that can make even mundane gifts feel over-the-top exciting.
You can get this look by:
- Select your preferred game.
- Grab some cardstock or paper to write on. You can also use a scrap of wood to make the gift seem heavier.
- Wrap the game in its original packaging or try one of our gift-wrapping ideas.
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