Now that your porch has officially been taken over by Amazon Prime boxes, it’s time to transform them into beautifully wrapped gifts to put under the tree. We’re breaking down how to wrap Christmas presents like a pro in just a few simple steps. So turn on the holiday tunes and grab your cozy hot chocolate; Santa’s got a job for you!
Need more gift ideas? Check out the best gift ideas for every occasion.
Gift Wrapping Supplies Needed
To get wrapping, start by gathering all of your supplies. You’ll need scissors, tape, gift boxes and any extras like bows, ribbons and gift tags. If you want to go above and beyond, grab a tag maker so you can make your own!
Let’s start with the scissors. The 10-inch Amplify scissors by Fiskars are ideal for cutting all your gift wrapping supplies: paper, ribbon, card stock and more. Even through thick materials, these versatile scissors glide effortlessly and smoothly in one go.
To cut wrapping paper off rolls, try the Little Elf. As seen on “Shark Tank,” this handy device quickly and efficiently cuts gift wrap. Slide it over one end of the paper roll, gently push away from you and you’ll get a straight cut in no time.
Now it’s time for the tape. The one you pick will make a big difference in the way your gifts look and how easily you can get your present wrapped. Our go-to-tape is Scotch Gift-Wrap Tape. It’s super easy to cut and disappears on most wrapping paper for a smooth, finished look.
Don’t forget to stock up on gift boxes! This 48-piece set comes in a variety of sizes that are a lifesaver for oddly shaped gifts. Simply pop your gift in a box and get to wrapping. Or, since they’re decorated in holiday-themed patterns, you could even skip wrapping and just add a bow.
How to Choose Wrapping Paper
Here’s where it gets really fun…picking your wrapping paper! Since there are countless options to choose from, keep these things in mind while you’re shopping for this year’s holiday gift wrap. (By the way, this is our favorite way to store all that wrapping paper.)
- Thickness: Don’t skimp on the thickness of your paper. We’ve all wrapped a present with thin paper only to have it rip at the seams before we’re able to gift it. Choose something that will hold up.
- Size: Consider the size of the gift you’re wrapping before selecting your paper. Do you need an extra tall roll of paper or will a small sheet suffice?
- Design: To make sure your gift stands out, find a wrapping paper that suits your style and taste. From paper with traditional holiday themes, to non-traditional designs like dinosaurs in holiday sweaters and holiday avocados, the options are endless! You can even order personalized paper with the face of any person or pet you want.
- Extra Features: Keep a look out for wrapping paper that has extra features like reversible designs and grid lines for the perfect cut every time.
How to Make Gift Wrapped Presents Special
Now that your gifts are wrapped, it’s time to add the finishing touches: bows, ribbons, tags and more. This is where you can really let your creativity shine with gift wrapping ideas that make presents more beautiful. (Gifting food? Check out these homemade food gift packaging ideas.)
- Bows and Ribbons: Adding ribbons and bows to your gift is a quick and easy way to dress it up. Keep it simple or go all out with a bouquet of curled ribbons and plenty of bows.
- Sweet Treats: Add a few red and white striped candy canes to your packaging. They make for a sweet surprise that looks good and tastes good too! Simply tape a candy cane onto the box or incorporate it with a ribbon.
- A Touch of Nature: Incorporate small sprigs of holly, cuttings from a pine tree or even mini pine cones for a rustic, farm-house chic look. If you don’t have access to the real deal, pick up some beautiful artificial options that work just as well.
- Personalize It: Break out the Cricut machine. Use it to personalize an oversized hang tag with the initial of your gift recipient.
- Small Ornaments: Lightweight ornaments, like these festive wood slice holiday ornaments, are another great option. It’s like giving a gift with your gift. The ornament will move from the gift to the tree for years of future enjoyment.
- Gift Tags: You can’t give a gift without a gift tag! Etsy has hundreds designs to choose or you can make a tag yourself. Take these charming mistletoe-themed tags, or these Christmas tree-themed tags you can personalize and print right at home. There are even gift tag options from Santa!
How to Make Eco-Friendly Gift Wrapped Presents
Did you know that most glossy and glittery gift wrap isn’t recyclable? If you’ve had a second thought about the amount of paper, ribbons and bows that are tossed in the trash on Christmas morning, rest assured that there are eco-friendly options that are just as festive, fun and beautiful. Here’s how you can have great looking gifts with less waste.
- Buy Eco-Friendly Wrapping Paper: Using 100% recyclable and compostable wrapping paper doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice style. There are tons of options on Etsy to choose from, like this adorable snowman print and this green and red starry print. If you want to make your own, try picking up a roll of kraft paper. Or try this patterned kraft wrapping paper from Hallmark. Thanks to its limited ink coverage, this sustainable paper can be recycled.
- Try Reusable Wrapping Bags: For a sustainable alternative to single-use wrapping paper, try reusable fabric gift bags. Unlike wrapping paper, it’s flexible and will adapt to any shape, leaving you with a beautiful (and zero-waste) result.
- Swap for Biodegradable Options: Swap traditional tape with washi tape. It’s typically made from hemp and bamboo, which makes it compostable and recyclable. Here’s our guide on how to use washi tape. You can also swap out traditional ribbon for sustainable raffia ribbons.
- Save Bows and Boxes: Our family has been saving bows and gift boxes for years. Before tearing into the wrapping paper, we pop off the bows and place them in a bag. At the end of the day it goes in the closet, and we pull it out again next year. Same with the gift boxes!
The post Here’s How to Wrap Christmas Presents Like Santa’s Helper appeared first on Taste of Home.
Carrie Madormo, RN, Lauren Naru