Wrap It Up Like a Pro: Creative Christmas Gift Wrapping Ideas

Christmas is a magical time of year, but it can also be hectic. With so much to do, it’s easy to let gift wrapping fall to the bottom of the list. But don’t worry, I’m here to help! Today, I’m sharing my tips for easy and beautiful Christmas gift wrapping ideas. With a little creativity and these easy-to-follow tips, you can create gifts that are sure to impress your loved ones and make your holiday season more joyful!

A four-panel photo collage showing various Christmas gift wrapping materials and techniques. The top left panel shows a bright green ribbon with white script tied in a bow on a white and red Santa-themed paper. The top right panel shows ribbon spools in the background while a hand holds a white ribbon with a festive dot-tree pattern. The bottom left panel is a close-up of a hand holding the same white ribbon with the dot-tree pattern. The bottom right panel shows a stack of wrapped gifts under a Christmas tree, featuring bows made with plaid and candy cane striped ribbons.

“In the midst of the shopping and the wrapping and the arranging of presents under your tree this Christmas, may you not forget the gifts you cannot yet hold in your hands.” T. D. Jakes

Wrapping gifts for my family and friends is one of the things I love to do the most, especially at the holidays. My mother has always paid extra special attention to details when it comes to gift giving. As a little girl, I remember how beautiful my gift packages always looked. To this day, receiving and giving a beautifully wrapped package brings me so much joy!

With just a little effort you can create beautifully wrapped gifts as well!

Christmas gift wrapping, holiday gift wrap, festive gift wrap, Christmas wrapping paper, Christmas ribbon, Christmas bow

History on Wrapping Gifts

Believe it or not, making gifts special dates back to the 1600’s in Japan where they used Furoshiki. It is a traditional fabric used to transport goods and wrap gifts. Here in the United States, using paper has been around for a very long time. It started with the upper-class Victorians who used elaborately decorated paper, adding ribbons and lace.

Today, gift wrapping has become an industry of its own, with a wide range of wrapping paper, gift bags, tissue paper, and many other accessories available. People often choose wrapping paper and decorations that are occasional, whether it’s Christmas, birthdays, weddings, or other special events.

Creative and DIY gift wrapping has also gained popularity, with people customizing their gifts with unique touches like sustainable gift bags, handmade bows and personalized labels.

A Christmas gift wrapped in white paper featuring a repeating pattern of colorful, stylized Christmas trees. The present is tied with a bow made of two ribbons: a wide, soft pink satin ribbon and a narrower white ribbon decorated with a string of colorful Christmas lights.

Color-Coordinated Christmas Gift Wrapping Ideas

As with all of my decor choices, each Christmas I pick out a color theme for my wrapping paper. I love the look that you get under your tree when all the packages coordinate. Also, when you pick a theme and stick to the same few papers and ribbons, you are organized and know in advance what you have to work with.

On a side note, I do stray from the scheme when it comes to wrapping for my granddaughters. That has to be wrapping paper that is fun for them and a lot of times it is pink Christmas paper! Littles love to receive a pretty package and brings so much excitement! Hopefully, they will always remember how pretty their packages were, too!

Sometimes, it just depends on what color ribbons I already have on hand. When it comes to wrapping paper and ribbons, one thing I do not compromise on is the ribbon I use. I always purchase wide, wired edged ribbon, for my gifts.

You may think that putting a pre-made bow on your package is so much easier and it might be, but I promise you, the wired edged ribbon is not hard to work with, at all!

The only draw back to using wired edged ribbon is the cost. It can be pricey. I usually always purchase my ribbon on clearance right after Christmas. I can sometimes get it up to 75% off. Another option…you may get lucky at your local dollar store, but you have to get there early enough in the season.

One good thing about using wired edge ribbon is it’s sustainable and you can reuse it. When we have our immediate family gathering, most of the ribbon comes back to me!

An overhead close-up of a square Christmas gift wrapped in red and green holiday plaid paper. It is topped with a large, elaborate bow made from a wide white ribbon featuring a repeating vintage-style image of Santa Claus holding a blue ornament. The package rests on a dark wood table next to a red and white striped surface.

A few helpful wrapping tips

  • Measure the Paper: Ensure you have enough paper to wrap the gift completely. Measure the length and width of the gift and add a few inches for overlap.
  • Place the Gift: Position the gift in the center of the wrapping paper.
  • Fold the Paper: Fold the paper over the gift, ensuring it’s centered, meeting each side in the middle. Smooth out any wrinkles.
  • Tape the Paper: Secure the center of the paper with tape, then fold in each end and tape.

How to Wrap a Christmas Gift Like a Pro

Ready to elevate your gift-wrapping game? Now that you know what color theme you are going to use, let’s wrap those gifts! With my easy-to-follow tips and tricks, on making an easy bow, you’ll be turning ordinary packages into festive masterpieces.

Once I have my package wrapped, I take one piece of coordinating ribbon long enough to wrap around the package once and then tie. You can tie it on vertically or horizontally. I usually do it in a way that conserves the most ribbon. Make sure you leave plenty of ribbon on each end. You will need the excess to tie on your bow.

Close-up of a stack of Christmas gifts wrapped in various papers, with the largest in the foreground wrapped in light blue paper. This blue paper features a vintage-style print of Minnie and Mickey Mouse sledding and surrounded by snowmen. The gift is topped with a festive bow made from a light blue ribbon with a repeating pattern of red and white candy canes.

“The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other.” – Burton Hillis

I don’t know the “correct” way to make a bow. However, today I’m showing you the way I make them and they have never failed me!

I start by taking the end of the ribbon and fold it over, gathering it at what will be my center. Next, I take the longer part of the ribbon and fold it into my center. I continue making the loops and pinching together in the center, until the desired size of my package. I securely gather it in the middle and tie to the ribbon I started with around the package.

Make sure you double knot it so it doesn’t come undone.

Spread out the bow and cut the ends on an angle to make it look fancy.

That’s it! Simple to create and your package looks professionally wrapped.

Simple Gift Wrapping Ideas: Using Gift Bags and Ribbons

Using gift bags are another great option to wrap Christmas gifts. They can add a charming touch to your holiday presents. Gift bags are a convenient and sustainable option, making them extremely budget-friendly. They can be reused year after year, reducing waste and saving you money. Gift bags are available in various sizes and designs to accommodate all your gifting needs.

When using a gift bag, fill it with tissue paper to conceal the gift. Tissue paper is inexpensive and often sold in large bundles at discount stores like Dollar Tree. Like ribbon, gift bags, wrapping paper, and tissue paper are typically cheapest after the holiday season.

Bags, using ribbon, bows or twine can definitely save time compared to traditional wrapping. If you decide to use twine, for a more rustic look, I always like to use a red and white or green and white twine. It makes it a little more festive than jute twine.

A small brown paper gift bag with handles and a red and white twine bow. The bag is decorated with a repeating pattern of green Christmas trees and red holiday words like 'Celebrate,' 'Joy,' 'Rejoice,' 'Believe,' and 'Noel.' Bright pink tissue paper is visible at the top.

Easy and Beautiful Christmas Gift Wrapping

To me, there’s nothing like a DIY charming gift wrapped up for the holidays!

Below, I’ve provided links to some delightful gift wrap selections for you. Don’t forget to also invest in a wrapping paper organizer; it’ll not only keep you incredibly well-organized during the holiday season but also in your storage space long after Christmas has passed! Make sure to check out all my Christmas organizing items in my post Five Must Haves For The Easiest Holiday Organization.

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

I hope these easy and beautiful Christmas gift wrapping ideas inspire you to create festive and memorable presents for your family and friends. Remember, the most important thing is to wrap your gifts with love and care. Happy Holidays!

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16 Comments

  1. Kim, this was such a wonderful post. There is nothing like a beautifully wrapped gift. It get’s you so excited for what is in the box or bag. Plus, it makes the person who is receiving the gift feel extra special.

  2. I wrapped my presents so well in the past the people didn’t even want to open them and destroy the pretty wrapping!🤣😜

  3. So pretty Kim… I too love a pretty package. I learned my technique from my mom who was the queen of Christmas😍 I love the theme idea and that wrapping storage box you show looks amazing. I just may need to order it. 🎄

  4. Your gifts always look beautiful, Kim!!! Love that you’re sharing your expertise with the world! ❤️🌎

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