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    Home » Holidays » Christmas

    Easy Gift Wrap Ideas

    By: Jane · Updated: 20 Jan, '18 · This post may contain affiliate links · 23 Comments

    Sharing is caring!

    Have you started any of your Christmas shopping yet? I have purchased a few gifts and took the time this week to get them wrapped.  So I thought I'd share some of my pretty and easy gift wrap ideas with you. 

    Pretty and easy gift wrap ideas | cottage at the crossroads

    Tip #1: Decide on a theme or color scheme

    Pretty and easy gift wrap ideas | cottage at the crossroads

    This year I'm using a green and natural color scheme in my Christmas decorating. I'm calling it my Green Peaceful Pine Cone Theme. Ok, I know that's not a good theme title right now, but you can get an idea of the direction I'm heading. I think it looks so much prettier when the wrapping paper is coordinated under the tree, so I'm using brown kraft paper along with another natural colored paper, but I have yet to find a green wrapping paper design that I like. Buying and coordinating your wrapping paper in advance helps to make the pretty packages part of the decorations. 

    If you're looking for a great way to use those leftover wrapping paper tubes check out these fun toilet paper roll crafts for kids.

    Tip #2: Pull your wrap tight and crease

    Pretty and easy gift wrap ideas | cottage at the crossroads

    Years ago, my first real job was in Belk's Department Store. I was placed in the china and housewares department where I was taught to wrap wedding gifts. I'll never forget the manager, Mr. Howard, teaching me to pull the wrapping paper tight and to crease the edges. Taking a little bit of time to do that makes the package so much neater. 

    Tip #3: Place the tape along the folded edge

    Pretty and easy gift wrap ideas | cottage at the crossroads

    I'll never forget Mr. Howard watching me wrap my first gift and how he corrected my tape placement! I think I was just putting it anywhere, but he showed me that it should be placed along the folded edge. To this day, if I get a little careless, I can still hear his voice admonishing me, but I'm awfully glad he gave me some good training. 

    Tip #4: Embellish your packages

    Moss ribbon | cottage at the crossroads

    I love wrapping gifts and making them special by using some unexpected materials and embellishments. On one of my packages, I used this ribbon that looks like moss. I've had it for over two years since I found it in a clearance bin.  It fits in great with my natural theme that I'm using this year. 

    Pretty and easy gift wrap ideas | cottage at the crossroads

    And while I was digging around in my stash of ribbons and trims, I found this delicate piece that seemed to go with one of my wrapping papers. I threaded it with some gingham ribbon that I had on hand. 

    Pretty and easy gift wrap ideas | cottage at the crossroads

    And I found this lovely trim that I put on one of my packages. So don't be afraid to show a little of your personality or what you love when wrapping gifts. Or even better, match your package with things that you know your recipient loves. 

    Pretty and easy gift wrap ideas | cottage at the crossroads

    Keeping a stash of ribbons, tags, and baubles makes it easier to personalize your package. The little burlap tag, found at Hobby Lobby, makes a pretty adornment for this package. 

    Pretty and easy gift wrap ideas | cottage at the crossroads

    I just adore this peaceful clay dove tag on this package. I ordered a set of these when my friend Ann made them available several months ago.

    Pretty and easy gift wrap ideas | cottage at the crossroads

    A great way to get your children involved in the gift wrapping is to have them paint some gift tags. It took me about 5 minutes to paint this little tree, and I just used one that I found online as a model.

    Pretty and easy gift wrap ideas | cottage at the crossroads

    Just be sure to buy the heavier plain tags so that they don't curl when painted!

    Tip #5: Wrap your gifts as soon as you buy or make them

    Pretty and easy gift wrap ideas |cottage at the crossroads

    If you wrap a few gifts at a time, the job is much more pleasurable! Make it easier on yourself by putting all your wrapping paper and supplies in a handy location so that you can wrap as you go along. I keep all of my supplies including scissors and tape in a big, long box under the guest bed. 

    Pretty and easy gift wrap ideas | cottage at the crossroads

    I hope that you have found these tips helpful. A gift wrapped with love and care is sure to be appreciated.

    More Christmas

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      Gingerbread Tiered Tray
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      DIY Gingerbread Rag Garland
    • Wooden snow globe ornament
      Wooden Snow Globe Ornament

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    1. Mary

      November 19, 2015 at 5:47 am

      I love your natural and green theme Jane, it looks like it would be perfectly at home in the potting shed 🙂 The moss ribbon is perfect, I need to see if I can find some at Hobby Lobby!

      Reply
    2. Kathleen

      November 18, 2015 at 10:58 pm

      I am so impressed you started wrapping already! I have done some shopping, I hit the Lenox Outlet last week when they had 25 off the whole store. I could wrap all that I bought, just not into it yet!
      Hope all is well there, Jane!

      Reply
    3. Dawn

      November 17, 2015 at 8:11 pm

      I love the natural look Jane. Pinning!

      Reply
    4. Jean Windham

      November 16, 2015 at 1:27 pm

      Jane, the presents are so pretty. The presentation looks professional and I love the green with brown khaki. Great job and thank you for sharing your talent.

      Reply
    5. Jenna

      November 16, 2015 at 10:27 am

      love the moss ribbon with the brown paper Jane!

      Reply
    6. Kris @ Junk Chic Cottage

      November 16, 2015 at 9:54 am

      Soooo pretty Jane. The gift wrap is beautiful. The special people getting these gifts will not want to open them with them being so pretty! Have a great new week ahead.
      Kris

      Reply
    7. Nancy

      November 16, 2015 at 9:27 am

      Absolutely gorgeous. I live in Greenwood SC so come on over and wrap mine. Lol.

      Reply
    8. andrea

      November 16, 2015 at 9:21 am

      Simply Beautiful! Picture Perfect Packages! One prettier than the next!!! Hugs!

      Reply
    9. Kim @ Hunt & Host

      November 15, 2015 at 9:56 pm

      I adore this color palette! The moss is just s beautiful addition. I also think craft paper is the way to go. Such great tips, thanks for sharing!

      Reply
    10. Stacey

      November 15, 2015 at 9:46 pm

      Jane, these are so pretty! Pinned one so I'll remember. 🙂

      Reply
    11. Kim

      November 15, 2015 at 1:59 pm

      Gorgeous, Jane and you are way ahead of me.

      Reply
    12. [email protected] Designs

      November 15, 2015 at 1:14 pm

      So very pretty and creative Jane!...Just love the natural look and love the addition of Ann's clay tag. Thanks for the inspiration. So love your beautifully wrapped gifts!!!

      Reply
    13. Iris Nacole

      November 15, 2015 at 9:30 am

      These have to be some of the prettiest presents I've ever seen!

      Reply
    14. [email protected]

      November 15, 2015 at 9:21 am

      Good Morning Jane! I always loved watching the ladies wrap presents at the department stores. Wrapping gifts is a true art. I love the green "moss" ribbon, the gingham ribbon, the tree tag, everything I guess, lol. Have a great day!

      Reply
    15. Suzy @ Worthing Court

      November 15, 2015 at 8:46 am

      So pretty, Jane. Love your ideas!

      Reply
    16. Vicki and Jennifer 2 Bees in a Pod

      November 15, 2015 at 8:41 am

      Jane - we love your color scheme and theme. Our tastes are so similar! We have never seen moss ribbon before but are now obsessed with yours! Your packaging and tips are wonderful. Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
    17. Angie @ Postcards from the Ridge

      November 15, 2015 at 8:30 am

      Oh Jane, these are all so pretty! I love the color coordinated packages and the unique ribbons and tags you used.

      Reply

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