Creative gift wrapping ideas

Looking for creative gift-wrapping ideas? Think about your audience (the person who will get the gift), the object inside, and what you have around the house. There are tons of ways to be creative in this area — you just have to find yours!

Christmas:

• Make your own gift tag out of the wrapping itself. Look at the pattern on the paper and then cut out two of the shapes in the same size. It can be a wreath, Santa, reindeer, ornament, etc.  They should be symmetrical (the same shape whether used face up or face down.) Place one shape face down and the other face up. Take a hole punch and thread the hole with ribbon that matches the paper. Write your “to/”from” or greeting inside the gift tag and attach to the front of the package.
• Make your own bow from the gift wrap.
• If you have a vertical gift, measure about 5 inches longer to leave at the top of the package. Pull the top tight and rubber-band it around the top, leaving the 5 inches loose. Take a pair of scissors and cut 1/4-inch wide strips down 4-1/2 inches from the top of the loose end. Use the scissors to curl the paper for a springy, flared “bow”. This adds texture and an original “zing” to your gift.

Birthdays:

• Turn over the paper you used to wrap the gift and trace or write the recipient’s name on the back of the paper. Use block letters unless you are good at cursive outlining. Cut out the letters and apply to the front of the package.
• Umbrellas and towels can be inserted into gift wrap cores to disguise the gift. The core is sturdy enough to make wrapping much easier and it’s a great way to keep the gift a secret until it is opened.
• Gifts for kids can be personalized by using a bicycle name plate as the gift tag

Anniversary Gifts:

• Use three different-sized round or square boxes and tape them together. Use strapping tape to tape the lids to the bottom of each box. Staple the boxes with the lids, one on top of the other in a stack (like a cake). Cut a uniform size hole through the bottoms and lids with an Xacto-knife to make room for the gift. 

All occasions:

• Use comics from the newspaper instead of traditional wrapping paper.
• Turn any occasion paper over and wrap the gift using the white side. Glue or draw shapes of interest to the person receiving the gift. Or use markers to create your own design!

Gift-wrapping doesn’t have to be a chore every time you give someone a present. It only takes a quick look around the house and you can create a uniquely-wrapped gift that sparks conversation and won’t be quickly forgotten.