5 Unique and Easy Gift Wrapping Ideas for the Holiday Season

Does gift wrapping seem like a chore or just too overwhelming? I’ve got 5 unique and easy gift wrapping ideas to help you step up your game this holiday season.

How many of you feel overwhelmed when it comes to wrapping Christmas gifts?

It can be a lot of work, especially if you wait until the last minute and have to wrap your holiday presents all at once.

When I was a young mom, it was all about getting the presents wrapped by Christmas morning. I didn’t care what the wrapping job looked like. Most of the gifts I wrapped didn’t even have a ribbon or a bow on them.

Affiliate links are used for your convenience. Read my full disclosure here.

Many Christmas Eves are just a blur. The only thing I remember is wrapping Christmas presents until the wee hours of Christmas morning, being completely exhausted, and knowing that very soon, all that hard work would literally be ripped to shreds.

This is where the whole “older and wiser” thing comes into play 30 years later.

What I didn’t realize at the time was that I could have made things a lot easier on myself and much more enjoyable if only I had PREPARED AHEAD OF TIME.

---

Easy Holiday Gift Wrapping Ideas

I’ll show you some simple ideas that make gift wrapping easy and inexpensive, resulting in a beautifully wrapped gift.

The entire gift wrapping process can be pretty enjoyable if you do it right. By carving out some time specifically for wrapping presents, you won’t keep falling into the same pattern of procrastinating until the last minute.

Let me show you how to make life simpler during a busy and hectic Christmas season.

---

Gather Your Gift Wrapping Supplies Before You Need Them

There’s nothing worse than going to get the tape to wrap a present and realizing that there isn’t any to be found.

Or better yet, you reach for the ribbon and realize that there are only about 3 inches left on the roll.

Can you relate?

---

SHOP THE AFTER-CHRISTMAS SALES

A perfect time to shop for Christmas gift wrap supplies is after Christmas.

I’ve learned to take an inventory of all the gift wrapping supplies I’ve run out of or just want to order so I can try something different next holiday season.

You’ll not only be ahead of the holiday game next year but you will feel so good knowing that you saved money along the way.

---

START PLANNING AND SHOPPING FOR CHRISTMAS SUPPLIES IN JULY

I wrote a blog post about planning Christmas in July. Some readers laughed and said they couldn’t even think about the holidays during the hot summer months.

But by starting the planning process and stocking up on gift wrap supplies months before Christmas, you will be so organized and less stressed.

---

WHAT SHOULD I PUT ON MY GIFT WRAPPING SUPPLY LIST

Scissors and Scotch tape are obvious to you I’m sure. But I’m going to mention them anyway.

I didn’t necessarily use all of these items this year but I have in the past.

• Wrapping paper, Kraft paper, Christmas craft paper
• Ribbon, twine and raffia
• Dried oranges
• Cinnamon sticks
• Candy canes
• Ornaments
• Holiday stamps
• Mini Christmas trees
• Glitter & confetti
• Bells
• Sheet Music

---

Set up A Gift Wrap Station

Create a workspace that is dedicated to gift wrapping.

It’s important to have an area where you can organize and store all of your supplies so you’ll always know where everything is.

---

Set the Mood For a Festive Christmas Gift Wrapping Event

Set the mood. Make this a fun event! Wrapping gifts does not have to be a chore.

• Pick a location where you can spread out and have lots of space to create.
• Use this time as a quiet getaway to be creative.
• Make yourself a cup of hot cocoa or your favorite winter beverage.
• Put on your favorite Christmas music or movie.
• Light a Christmas candle.
• Give yourself the gift of time. Schedule time on your calendar so you won’t be interrupted or get double booked.

---

Keep It Simple

DISCLOSURE: I’m not big on traditional gift wrap or using fancy paper these days. But that’s only because we’re empty nesters with little family so when I wrap a gift I want to make it my own, unique from everything else you can buy in a store. It’s all about personal preference.

BASIC WRAPPING PAPER

Using neutral brown kraft paper or butcher paper as a blank canvas has endless creative possibilities. There are so many creative ways to use spices, dried oranges, ornaments, and outdoor elements. Really, there are just too many ideas to even mention.

If you’re tasked with wrapping an oddly shaped gift, try decorating a brown paper bag with stencils or using a silver paint pen.

---

BLACK WRAPPING PAPER

I’m looking forward to trying some black wrapping paper this year and using chalkboard paint or markers to create a holiday design.

---

NATURAL ELEMENTS SUCH AS PINECONES, BERRIES, AND GREENERY

Some of my favorite gift wrapping ideas for the holidays include gathering natural elements from the outdoors such as pinecones, berries, and greenery from the winter garden.

These natural elements are not only beautiful for your wrapped gifts but they’re also FREE! You can even clip off a sprig from your fresh Christmas tree or wreath.

Greenery options can include rosemary, boxwood, evergreens, magnolia leaves, and more.

DRIED ORANGES, CINNAMON STICKS, AND HERBS

Put your own gift wrap spin on your gifts with dried oranges, which seem to go perfectly with everything related to Christmas decor and crafts. They make a wrapped gift come alive instantly.

If you haven’t tried drying orange slices before CLICK HERE for my blog post.

Cinnamon sticks are another great item to add to a wrapped gift for more interest. Herbs such as rosemary, not only look pretty but smell amazing.

LOOKING FOR MORE GIFT TOPPER IDEAS?

How about adding small buttons with a glue gun? Colorful ribbons will give your holiday presents a perfect pop of color. Jingle bells are another jolly topper option.

Think of how extra special your wrapped gift will look just by giving it your personal touch.

---

Plan a Gift Wrapping Christmas Party Event With Friends

I’ve gone to a couple of gift wrapping parties with friends in the past. It can be such a fun way to wrap your gifts and the best part is it can be quite inspiring!

Make a few snacks and beverages and invite your friends to wrap gifts. Have them bring their supplies to share with the group. This is a great way for everyone to try something different for the season.

It’s important to make sure you have enough working space. I have put up 6-foot tables in the past which really helped.

---

These simple ideas are sure to make gift wrapping fun and easy this holiday season. I hope this has inspired you to try some new things that will help you.

I’d love to hear from you in the comments below.

Until next time,

Happy Wrapping!

---

More Gift Wrapping Inspiration

Here are some truly talented bloggers that are sure to give you even more inspiration and great ideas.

Anita of A Joyful Ordinary Life | Missy of Sonata Home Design

Regina of Saved From Salvage | Susan of Hen and Horse Design

---

PIN AND SAVE ON PINTEREST

If you’ve enjoyed this blog post, please pin and share this on Pinterest.

---

Let’s Connect on Social Media

• Follow me @shiplapandshells on Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook
• Join my Facebook Gardening Tips & Tricks Group.