Christmas gift wrapping made easy! Creative, stress-free ideas for busy people.

‘Tis the season for twinkling lights, cozy fires… and a mountain of gifts to wrap! I don’t know about you, but my holiday to-do list is already a mile long. But here’s the thing: even when time is tight, I believe those presents deserve a little extra love. After all, beautiful gift wrap is like the perfect finishing touch – it shows you care and makes the whole unwrapping experience even more magical. ✨

So today I’m sharing some of my favorite tips and tricks for creating gorgeous, stress-free gift wrap – even if you’re short on time (and maybe even a little short on wrapping skills!). We’ll explore budget-friendly ideas, sustainable swaps, and simple techniques that will have your gifts looking like they were wrapped by Santa’s elves themselves!

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A beautifully decorated flocked Christmas tree stands in front of a window, exuding rustic elegance with its gold, brown, and beige ornaments, including ribbons, flowers, and baubles. Wrapped gifts with red and gold ribbons are placed underneath the tree on a beige rug. The christmas aesthetics perfectly capture the holiday spirit.

How to Wrap Presents Like a Pro for the Holidays

Before you start wrapping, make sure you have all the necessary supplies on hand. In general, you’ll need:

Measure Twice, Cut Once Before Gift Wrapping

Measure your wrapping paper carefully. You should have enough to fully cover the gift with a slight overlap. If you’re not sure about the size, it’s always better to have a little extra than to come up short. Use a ruler to make straight, even cuts for a professional finish.

Neat and Tidy Folds

Place the gift in the center of the paper and fold the sides over, ensuring they meet in the middle with no excess paper. Secure the seams with tape. When folding the ends, create neat triangles at the corners to eliminate bulk and make a cleaner finish.

The Perfect Seal on Your Christmas Presents

Using clear tape is essential for achieving a polished look. Invisible tape ensures your wrapping appears seamless. Be generous with tape at the seams and make sure the paper is securely fastened to the gift.

Add a Personal Touch

Enhance your gift by adding a personalized gift tag or label. You can buy pre-made tags or create your own. This is the perfect opportunity to add a heartfelt message or a clever hint about what’s inside.

Rustic Farmhouse christmas tree with DIY paperbag snowflakes in farmhouse living roomHow to Make Snowflakes with Paper Bags

Gift Wrapping With Ribbons and Bows

The right ribbon can take your gift to the next level. Use a wide, fabric ribbon for an elegant touch or opt for a colorful satin ribbon for a festive feel. Make sure your ribbon is long enough to wrap around the gift with some excess for tying. Finish off with a beautiful bow. There are plenty of bow-tying tutorials online if you need some guidance.

Get Creative With Christmas Gift Wrapping

Feel free to get creative with your wrapping. Consider layering different papers, using decorative tape, or adding a sprig of holly or a small ornament to make your gifts stand out.

Practice Makes Perfect

If you’re new to gift wrapping or want to perfect your technique, practice on some smaller items first. It’s a great way to build your skills and confidence.

Think Sustainability

Consider using eco-friendly wrapping options such as recycled paper or reusable fabric wraps. You can also repurpose newspaper, old maps, or colorful scarves for a unique, sustainable touch.

first Christmas in our home tour with rustic farmhouse christmas tree, large lanterns and gift wrapping ideas

Gift Wrapping Oddly Shaped Gifts

Let’s face it, not all gifts come in perfect boxes. Whether you’re dealing with a plush toy, a sports item, or something truly unique, oddly shaped gifts can present a wrapping challenge. But don’t worry! Here are a few tricks to conquer those unusual forms:

  • The Bag Disguise: Sometimes the easiest solution is to skip the wrapping paper altogether. Find a festive gift bag that’s large enough to accommodate your item, add some tissue paper, and you’re good to go!
  • Fabric Wrap: For truly awkward shapes, consider using fabric. A beautiful scarf, a piece of velvet, or even a tea towel can be used to create a unique and elegant package. Simply gather the fabric around the item and tie it with a ribbon or twine.
  • Create a Custom Box: If you’re feeling crafty, you can create a custom box from cardboard. Measure your item, cut the cardboard to size, and assemble it with tape. Then, decorate your box with paint, wrapping paper, or other embellishments.

Sustainable Gift Wrapping Ideas

Reducing waste is important, especially during the holidays. Here are some eco-friendly alternatives to traditional wrapping paper:

  • Skip the Tape: Try using ribbon or twine to secure your packages instead of tape, which isn’t recyclable.
  • Reusable Fabric: Furoshiki is a Japanese technique of wrapping gifts in fabric. This is not only beautiful but also incredibly sustainable. You can use scarves, tea towels, or special Furoshiki cloths.
  • Brown Paper Packages Tied Up with String: Simple brown kraft paper can look incredibly chic when paired with natural twine and some sprigs of greenery.
  • Repurposed Materials: Get creative and reuse materials you already have. Maps, newspaper comics, or even children’s artwork can make unique and interesting wrapping paper.
A decorated Christmas tree stands in a bright room with large windows, showcasing its beautiful Christmas decor. It is adorned with lights, ornaments, and a star on top. Wrapped presents are placed underneath, and lanterns are nearby on the wooden floor.

Festive Ideas for Gift Wrapping Christmas Presents Like a Pro

This year, I’m ditching the last-minute gift wrap scramble! I’m craving a more personal touch for my holiday presents. Instead of generic wrapping paper and hasty gift bags, I’m embracing creative, budget-friendly ideas that add a touch of personality. Think repurposed materials, recycled elements, and unique touches that won’t break the bank.

Want to join me in elevating your gift wrap game? Let’s explore some clever and simple ideas that will make your presents truly stand out this holiday season!

scented gift tags for holiday presents for Christmas or Chanukah

The Cutest Scented Christmas Gift Tags DIY

Want a beautiful and budget-friendly way to personalize your holiday gifts this year? Wait until you see how easy these scented Christmas gift tags DIY are to make!

gift wrap hack diy personalized ribbon by thistlewood farms

Gift Wrap Hack: DIY Personalized Ribbon

Don’t spend tons of money wrapping gifts? Personalize them for pennies instead with this simple DIY gift wrap hack shared by my good friend KariAnne from Thistlewood Farms.

gift wrap ideas for christmas with simply 2 moms

Inexpensive Gift Wrapping Ideas | 7 Simple Ways to Use Yarn

Want your gifts to look cute without breaking the bank? Check out these simple and inexpensive gift wrapping ideas using yarn with my good friends Anne and AnnMarie from Simply 2 Moms! You’ll be amazed at how many packages you can wrap and the different ways to decorate them.

natural gift wrap ideas by cottage on bunker hill

Natural Gift Wrap Ideas

My good friend Jennifer from Cottage on Bunker Hill shared her natural holiday gift wrapping ideas that are both beautiful and affordable. Plus, they give your presents a handmade touch. Wait until you see how easy these are to do!

easy and beautiful gift wrapping ideas for christmas by cottage in the mitten

Easy and Beautiful Christmas Gift Wrapping Ideas

Receiving and giving a beautifully wrapped package can bring so much joy. With just a little effort, you can create beautifully wrapped gifts as well with these easy and beautiful Christmas gift-wrapping ideas shared by my good friend Kim from Cottage in the Mitten.

5 sustainable gift wrapping ideas for christmas by the ponds farmhouse

5 Sustainable Gift-Wrapping DIY Package Toppers

My good friend Rachel from The Ponds Farmhouse is a huge fan of recycling scrap fabric, so she decided to make some sustainable gift wrapping DIY projects using scrap fabrics. These eco-friendly wrapping ideas are budget-friendly and super easy to make. Learn how to wrap presents with sustainability with these simple tips.

5 easy ways to make your gift wrapping look thoughtful by robyn's french nest

5 Easy Ways to Make Your Gift Wrapping Look Thoughtful

Gift wrapping doesn’t have to be time-consuming in order to look thoughtful and extra special, nor should it overwhelm your season. My good friend Robyn from Robyn’s French Nest shared 5 amazing and budget-friendly ideas for easy Christmas gift wrapping this holiday season!​

5 secrets to pretty gift wrapping for the holidays by she gave it a go

5 Secrets To Pretty Gift Wrapping

Are you wanting to create beautiful presents this holiday season? My good friend Brendt from She Gave It a Go shared her 5 secrets to pretty gift wrapping that are easy to apply and will create that gorgeous gift look you want!

Free holiday printables for gift wrapping christmas ideas with the tattered pew

Free Holiday Printables Bundle

Make your loved ones feel special with personalized tags and place cards shared by my good friend Kelly from The Tattered Pew this Christmas. This holiday printables bundle can help us be more intentional about our time and loving others. Use them for your gifts, table settings, menus and more.

Easy Fluffy Christmas Bows Tutorial by Simply 2 Moms

How to Make the Easiest Fluffy Bows

Learn how to make the perfect Christmas bow with this easy, step-by-step DIY tutorial! With just a few basic supplies, you can have beautiful bows for gift wrapping or decorating your home in no time. AnnMarie from Simply2Moms shares her tips to make your own fluffy holiday bows that will bring festive cheer!

Learn How to Tie a Gift Bow with The Ponds Farmhouse

How to Tie a Gift Bow Perfectly Every Time

Want to know the secret to creating perfect bows for your holiday packages? Rachel from the Ponds Farmhouse shares a step-by-step tutorial that’s easy to follow and you will be amazed at how easy it is to tie perfect bows for packages, wreaths, and more.

More About Wrapping Gifts Like a Pro

Gift wrapping is more than just a chore—it’s an opportunity to express your creativity and show your loved ones how much you care. By mastering the basic techniques and adding your own personal touch, you can create gifts that are truly special. Whether you prefer classic elegance or playful whimsy, let your wrapping reflect your unique style and the joy of the season. Happy wrapping!

How do you like to wrap Christmas presents? Do you have any tips or ideas you’d like to share? I would love to know more in the comments below – let’s chat!

Thank you for visiting the blog today!

Enjoy your day! xo

Stacy Ling bricksnblooms logo
easy christmas gift wrapping ideas for busy people with lots of creative ways to wrap presents like a pro
9 clever Christmas gift wrapping ideas you should try this year
cozy christmas lights in a rustic elegant farmhouse

Want to Learn How to Decorate With Fresh Greens for the Holidays?

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This 40-page guide is full of simple DIY holiday decorating ideas that include how to cut, care for, and design with fresh greens, as well as tips to purchase and incorporate faux greens with your holiday decorating style to create a cozy, beautiful, and organic vibe.

From porch styling to cozy centerpiece and tablescape inspiration, wait until you try these budget-friendly holiday decorating ideas using fresh greens for every room in your home.

hanging planter for Christmas on the front porch
10 days of christmas

natural gift wrapping ideas

christmas gift wrapping ideas

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14 Comments

  1. Hi Stacy,
    Loving all these amazing Christmas gift wrapping ideas.
    It’s a joy to be on this week of Christmas tour together.

    Xoxo,
    Brendt