I love wrapping Christmas presents, albeit it takes me ages as I like to be creative and put a little effort into it. I thought I would combine my top tips and wrapping hacks for Christmas this year. I hope that one of these ideas can inspire you to put a little extra something into your Christmas gift wrapping.
Stock up on crafts
I always buy a bundle of Christmas crafts from Baker Ross each year, I use them for multiple things but also for use with my gift tags. I make my own using basic plain luggage tags. I use my shaped hole punches, stickers and stamp kits to personalise them. This year I got pipe cleaners and they can be twisted into a neat little bow on the tags which I thought was a fabulous idea.
Creating a bow with a pipe cleaner
Simply insert the pipe cleaner through the label half way, twist two loops in the pipe cleaner near the hole and then wrap one of the ends around the two loops. Twist. Separate the loops, which now look like bows and voila. Pipe cleaners are not recyclable (I do not think) but you can reuse them as they just bend into a different shape (unlike a gift wrap bow).
Colour code your gifts
This might sound crazy, but I colour code the gifts. This is mainly so I know, roughly, at a glance whose is what when you are dishing them out. For example, I wrap the Aunty and Uncles in one style, Cousins in another and kiddies in another. It works well when there are large groups of you giving gifts to each other.
Stack up your gifts
This year I wanted to reduce the wrap as much as I could, but still make them look nice. So I decided to scrap gift bags and just stack the gifts together in bundles. This works well as you can tie peoples gifts together, it also makes it easier to dish out the gifts on Christmas Day. I use string to tie the gifts together – this means I am using one lot of string per person (instead of each individual gift) and I am using one tag per person too.
Wrapping hack
I love this wrapping hack; have you ever got to the last bit of your wrapping paper and struggled with wrapping that last gift? Well, if you simply turn your gift so that it sits diagonally onto the wrapping paper – hey presto, you are able to still wrap it up. This means you can save on paper wastage. I love finding out clever hacks for gift wrapping, there are some fabulous YouTube videos out there too!
Recyclable paper
So, there is a rule that I have learnt with wrapping paper – if you scrunch the paper into a ball and it stays in a ball shape, then it is recyclable. Always read the labels too as they should indicate if the wrapping paper can be recycled. A general rule of thumb is that wrapping paper with glitter on it, metallic or a texture to it then it definitely is NOT recyclable.
Set up a sticky tape station
I absolutely hate it when you get the perfect fold on the paper and realise you haven’t got any sticky tape cut to stick it down. You end up letting go of the paper and it all unfolds! Feel my pain? Well, I find a hard surface near me and cut small bits of tape so I can quickly grab it without losing the fold!
Do you have any tips or hacks for wrapping gifts this Christmas? I would love to know in the comments below or on social media.
I have just started to wrap my presents and I am absolutely useless at it. I wish my wrapping looked like yours!
Ahh thank you and I’m sure your wrapping looks fab x
Wow, some really good ideas for me to try!
You’ll have to let me know which ones you try x
I am going to try and make my wrapping look better – at the minute it looks like mychild may have done it!
Oh my goodness I am sure it doesn’t. I’d love to see what you do x
I love the stacking of presents makes it looks neater
Haha it does doesn’t it x
I love the idea of colour coding the presents, we spend Christmas morning with extended family and it always the case that some labels come off and then we have to take a best guess as to which present is for who!!!!!
Your wrapping is so pretty.
I colour code them too. Both of my girls have different wrapping paper and it really helps tell who’s is who’s. Fab tips x
great post with some fantastic ideas
I make a point of buying gifts that come in boxes or I have a box that they will fit – (no funny shapes to wrap up). I have enough paper from last year but after that’s run out I’m aiming to wrap in fabric Japanese-style.
We cheated and bought the bags off qvc, you just put the present in pull the drawstring and hey presto wrapped
I am terrible at wrapping so some good ideas
I’ve never thought of colour coding presents – it makes so much sense!
Love these, thanks! Especially like turning it on an angle will be trying that this evening.
Great tips thanks!
I don’t have my own tips because I’m dreadful at wrapping but I absolutely love the stacking idea. I think it looks better than a gift bag. I’ve not started on my wrapping yet but I will definitely try the turning it diagonal tip.
I really like the pipe cleaner idea, thanks!
I thought all wrapping paper could be recycled? Will check from now on. I have wrapping envy, I do not enjoy wrapping and yours look lovely xx
Been a nightmare wrapping – I’ll be using your ideas in 2020
Very handy tips, I shall try them myself next Christmas………
Thanks for sharing this wrapping hacks. These are simple and good ideas I’ll try it.
I’m very anal about wrapping Christmas presents actually to the point where my family takes advantage my sister and my mom make me wrap all the ones from them because they just say that they know they won’t be right if they do it lol
I don’t have any suggestions because I’m terrible at wrapping, but I adore the stacking idea. I think it’s more attractive than a gift bag. I haven’t started wrapping yet, but I’m definitely going to attempt the diagonal tip.
Thanks for sharing amazing hacks and tips will surely try