15 Pinterest-Worthy DIY Christmas Wrapping Ideas

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The holidays are just a few days away, and with that comes the happiness in giving—and wrapping—gifts. Wrapping your presents isn’t just a way to add a touch of magic to the giving experience, it also makes your Christmas tree the centerpiece. Why not let your imagination run wild and make your own presents this holiday season as beautiful as your tree’s twinkle lights? It is easier than you think and the results are bound to impress your family and friends.

Don’t worry, if the thought of DIY wrapping has you envisioning messy glitter explosions or hours crafting away you can put the thought away. These ideas are simple, affordable, and delightful. It’s time to grab your scissors, tape, and holiday spirit and get wrapping.

Sweater-Inspired Wrapping

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Make a charming gift wrap out of a sweater that you own, but no longer wear. Cut the sweater’s sleeves or body to fit your gift, and fasten it with a festive ribbon. Not only does this soft textured wrapping look great, but it also gives new life to something headed to the donation bin. If you want to add a bit of charm pair these with a sprig of holly or a small ornament.

Rustic Twine And Greenery

Rustic brown paper Christmas gifts with twine and red berry accents on wooden background.
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Go with natural, farmhouse vibes and twine and fresh greenery. Just wrap your gift in kraft paper, bind it with twine, and nestle sprigs of rosemary, eucalyptus, or pine within. With this minimalistic take, this approach is awesome for those of us who dig understated elegance. The greenery’s subtle scent is also a little something extra to your gifting.

Paper Bag Charm

Top view composition of gift box wrapped in white paper with tag Merry Merry placed on table near pine branches and twine during festive holidays
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Groceries aren’t the only thing paper bags are for! Gift wrap a brown paper bag with hand-drawn, rubber-stamped, or stenciled designs on it. In addition, have your kids doodle on the paper for gifts for grandparents or relatives for that personal touch. It’s a low-cost way to make wrapping feel warm and personal.

Chalkboard Style

Five chalk tally marks on a black chalkboard background.
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White chalk markers with black wrapping paper lend a sophisticated playfulness to the whole thing. Remember to write the recipient’s name with elegant calligraphy or doodle snowflakes and stars. This is great for a monochromatic palette lover.

Fabric Wraps

fabric wrap
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Japanese art of wrapping gifts in fabric, Furoshiki is gaining in popularity for its eco=friendly and reusable nature. Wrap your gifts in scarves, tea towels or a piece of fabric. This not only cuts down on waste, but it also makes for a bonus gift.

Pom-Pom Accents

Adorable felt bunny nestled among vibrant pastel pom-poms, perfect for playful decor.
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Gift wrapping doesn’t have to be boring and mundane. Colorful pom poms are a great way to add some playfulness to your wrapped presents. They come pre-made or you can make your own using yarn. Pom poms are also an easy way to bring joy to your wrapping, and a favorite with both kids and adults.

Vintage Sheet Music

Artistic photo of a rolled sheet music on a textured surface, featuring musical notes.
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Christmas gifts lend a nostalgic charm when they are old sheet music. For a vintage-inspired look, wrap your presents in pages of music and then tie them with a velvet ribbon. It is both beautiful and inexpensive; you can often find inexpensive sheet music at thrift stores. Nostalgic designs play better with our emotions, and so the idea will be a hit.

Cookie Cutter Tags

Overhead composition of handmade gingerbread man and star cookies covered with icing placed near gift tag with string and inscription Merry And Bright
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Use metal cookie cutters to turn your gift tags into keepsakes. Tuck them inside your gift boxes, wrapping your present with ribbon or twine, and they will be a small bonus gift. This creative touch ticks both of these boxes.

Stamped Kraft Paper

An elegant DIY Christmas advent calendar featuring paper bags and festive decorations.
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If you love stamping but don’t want it to go the overdone route, go simple. Use plain kraft paper, and add a few festive stamps—snowflakes or stars. Keep your ink colors to one or two to keep the look cohesive.

Nature-Inspired Accents

A cozy setup featuring mulled wine with cinnamon and orange slices, perfect for the holiday season.
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Head outside and then collect materials such as pinecones, acorns, and dried orange slices. You can also attach these natural elements to your gifts for an earthy wintery feel. This means it’s not only cost effective, but also a nice way to bring a little of the outdoors inside in the holiday season.

Glittery Glam

Vibrant gift boxes with bows on a sparkling background, perfect for celebrations.
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If you’re a person who loves all things sparkly, jazz up your gift wrap by adding glitter! Adhesive designs can have glittery ribbons, or sprinkle glitter on them. Just watch out for the mess—use it somewhere contained and spray a clear spray to keep glitter from everywhere. The dazzle under the tree would be perfect with sparkly wrapping.

Map Wrapping Paper

A collection of vintage maps scattered for exploring world journeys and discoveries.
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If you have old maps you have lying around, why not make them into unique gift wraps. They’re especially good for gifts for travel enthusiasts. Couple map paper with a bright ribbon for contrast.

Hand-Painted Touches

Vibrant paint brushes and pencils in plastic cups for arts and crafts.
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Get into your paint and roll it out onto your own wrapping paper. Take plain white or brown kraft paper and turn it into a canvas, and make patterns with watercolor, or acrylic, or even finger paint. It also gives this a personal artistic touch that’s sure to impress.

Shimmery Washi Tape

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Plain wrapping paper can go from plain to fancy with the use of washi tape! Make stripes, grids, or festive shapes on your gifts. There are so many patterns available that you can customize designs and match them with any theme. This is versatile, affordable, and mess free.

Personalized Photos

Polaroid pictures with smiling couples surrounded by gold confetti on a white fabric background.
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Instead of using a regular gift tag, put the picture of the recipient you are gifting. Small pictures can be printed and used as part of your wrapping design. So not only do you feel like you know it’s a personal gift, but it also takes away the confusion of figuring out who gets what, especially when you have large family gatherings.

Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.

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