There are two types of people when it comes to gift wrapping…those who loathe it, those who LOVE it. I’ve always been a lover of gift wrapping so I’m excited to join 9 friends in a Holiday Gift Wrap Ideas blog hop!
And I’m the type who makes gift wrapping an event – a holiday party for one! I prefer to do it all at once. I love the tradition of setting out the supplies just so with a view of the Christmas tree…rolls of beautiful gift wrap, displays of cute holiday tags, whimsical ornaments, glitter pens, tape, ribbon and scissors. Pump up the volume on the Michael Bublé Christmas album, dress up in your most comfy pjs and grab a mug of hot cocoa…I’m going to share some gift wrapping finishing touches with you.
last year’s gift wrap to coordinated with an orange and green Christmas theme
Each year, I select about 4-5 coordinating rolls of Christmas wrapping paper. I love mixing patterns. And I do prefer that the wrap matches my holiday decor too. So this year, it’s traditional red and green with a touch of black.
Above was staging of empty boxes for my Dream Tree Challenge but what I’m sharing today is what I’ve gathered for real gift-giving this year. I snagged a fun mix of patterns ranging from plaid, stripes, reindeer and text in red, white, green and black from Michaels.
Embellishments: decorative/washi tape (you know that collection you have but never quite use? GET IT!), black/white printed photos, monogrammed letters, cute gift tags, bows, ribbon, twine and some snips of pine, small ornaments, little DIY crafts/gifts.
And since a tutorial isn’t really necessary, let’s just cut to the chase and show some pretty gift wrap ideas in photos, okay? OKAY! Here we go…
Tip: Use decorative tape instead of ribbon to secure/stack a collection of gifts. I used chalk tape above. I love the satiny wide ribbon-like look. And those presents are going to stay stacked! Grab a chalk marker and personalize!
Tip: Add small handmade gifts or ornaments instead of a bow. 
Tips: If you prefer wrapping gifts as you go, designate a roll (or coordinating rolls) for each family member. 1. That way you can embellish with tags/bows/etc. after the gifts are under the tree (tag the first gift you wrap for each member so you know who’s paper belongs to who). It makes storing much easier until “Santa” arrives! 2. It also makes it easier to tally the # of gifts for each person (in case you have a little one who keeps track!) 3. It’ll create a nice mix of colors and patterns when on display under your Christmas tree.
Tip: Snag a photo straight from social media, print in black/white on card stock to create an easy and personalized gift tag!
Are you an all at once or as you go wrapper? Love it or loathe it?
See more creative holiday gift wrapping ideas from these awesome blog friends:
I love this idea of the photographs. The most personal touch you can bring to a gift. And, your tree is gorgeous!
Such amazing ideas! We did the photo gift wrap decor last year and it was a big hit! Especially fun to watch the little ones find their photo and realize the gift was theirs. Great memories! Thanks for sharing!
Roeshel, I love your idea of using photos as gift tags. That would be so helpful at our large family gathering where the young children pass out the presents. Often they cannot read other people’s handwriting so this would make it easier for them! And you are going to have a ball this Christmas with your sweet and very photogenic grandbaby! Pinning and sharing your beautiful gift wrap ideas!
I used to LOVE wrapping gifts 25 years ago. I’d buy the very best papers sold usually in Nordstrom or Bullocks–the thick type with the grid printed on the reverse side so you could cut perfectly. I’d buy coordinating ribbon, bows, and cards. After wrapping a box, for instance, I’d run two fingers around all of the edges pinching the paper against the box until it looked crisp and neat. One year, I wrapped everything in brown paper which I distressed. Then added bows of colored raffia for a country look. I also made my own tags. I’d be like you in that I would set aside 4-5 hours, played Christmas music, brewed flavored coffee, and created a ritual for myself. Surrounded by my cats, who looked on as if I was the most talented human they’d ever watched, I’d churn out package after package. Today, I do the gift bag thing, overstuffed with pretty tissue. What made me change? It was the continual disregard for the time, effort and care I put into each wrapped gift. Recipients rarely commented, some didn’t seem to notice. It just was not appreciated. A few people, I suspected, were turned off by my “showing off” while their gifts were wrapped in the cheapest paper they could buy, often without bows. Perhaps I was showing off. But at the time, I just believed that I was making Christmas more wonderful.
When it comes to gift wrapping, I used to be one of those who loathe. But seeing the ideas right now, I will surely be loving it! Thank you for sharing.
Roeshel…your gift wrap (and home) are gorgeous! We love all of the special embellishments and attention to detail that you gave each gift. So wonderful sharing in the hop with you.