By Gabrielle. Photos by Amy Christie for Design Mom.
I’m in love with this post! It’s not really a how-to or a DIY post. Instead, it’s designed to inspire and spark ideas. It’s all about how to embellish simple brown wrapping paper, and it’s chock full of examples.
Even if you don’t have any of the add-ons featured in the photos, you probably have something similar. Raid the junk drawer and the craft cupboard. Scour your yard and the recycling bin. There’s a good chance you’ve already got everything you need to wrap your gifts up gorgeously this year.
Ribbons, paints, jingle bells, pom poms — dressing up the wrapped gift is almost as fun as giving it in the first place! Let’s get wrapping. This is going to be fun!
The amazing Amy Christie put together this post and here’s what she has to say:
For all the colorful, fancy and beautiful wrapping paper I own, I find myself pulled towards plain, kraft wrapping paper (if you need help, here’s how to wrap them perfectly). I buying at least one roll of brown paper each season. A gift wrapped in plain brown paper is so full of potential! And a simple bow won’t do.
I use the paper to make my own stamped paper (which can be made for birthdays too) but there is much more.
Below, I break down some of the ideas into categories to help spark your imagination. The ideas here are just the beginning; the possibilities are endless. I’m hoping the ideas are inspirational and a jumping off point for you.
Paint it
Even if you don’t have time (patience, space) for making rolls of hand-stamped paper, small paint detail can be added to an already wrapped gift. A design on top or a pattern to cover the whole thing.
Supplies: paint, paint brush, foam stamps, sponge
Design ideas: polka dots, brush strokes, plaid , Xs, Os, lines, herringbone pattern, splatter
Time: dry time makes this option take a little longer
Tie it
Dig into that ribbon and trims drawer and tie it (or hot glue it) on the package.
Supplies: ribbon — all kinds, trim, twine, cotton string, streamers, fabric, paper punched ribbon
Ideas: big bows (here’s how to do it perfectly), continuous wrapping, a basket weave (as seen with the metallic streamers), mini box pattern, a multitude of bow
Time: depending on how quickly you move, this idea is good for last minute gifts
Stick it
Sticky things add another fun dimension to a basic package.
Supplies: stickers, washi tape, glue stick/hot glue, confetti, glitter, pom poms, wooden shapes
Ideas: Use stickers to create a pattern. Take alphabet stickers and spell out a holiday message or just the name of the gift’s recipient. Form a pattern with washi tape (the holiday stuff is so fun!). Apply glue to one end of a package and dip it in glitter or add a blob to the top and sprinkle on confetti.
Time: count on this concept taking a bit of time and concentration with the spelling and pattern making
Add to it
This variation is kind of my favorite. It’s kind of the kitchen-sink-bars of the gift-wrap world. From simple to complicated, add to it is all about, you guessed it, adding stuff on.
Supplies: All the random things you can find! Gift tags, wooden tags, laser-cut wood, homemade tags, evergreen shoots, Christmas baubles, jingle bells, mini clothespins and so much more.
Ideas: Think in layers. Start with the base — painted design, ribbon/trim. Add another layer — more ribbon, tags, baubles. And another — more ribbon, evergreen shoots, gift tags, laser-cut wood pieces. Keep adding until you love it.
Time: the more complicated, the longer it takes but I promise, it’s worth it.
In the end, the gifts end up being little works of art. So much so that it’s a little sad when it’s opened and dismantled. The good news is, you can dress up more packages next year!
__
See what I mean? So much inspiration! Thank you, Amy. I’m off to make a sweep of the house and gather a bin full of odds and ends that I can add to packages. I love this sort of thing!
Tell me, Friends. Do you get into wrapping? Or do you dread it — and maybe opt for gift bags whenever possible? : ) And if you do Santa at your house, does Santa wrap the gifts or leave them out, unwrapped? We do a combo — one present unwrapped for each kid, and the rest wrapped.
P.S. — Wrapping 101 and Bow-Tying 101. Also, 10 last-minute, thoughtful + stylish gifts you can get at the grocery store.
Credits: Images, styling & text by Amy Christie.
These are fabulous – thanks for the inspiration! I LOVE to wrap packages beautifully – mostly for girlfriends – we moms are often the last on the totem pole for being treated to beautiful things – a well wrapped gift is a gift in itself!
I love how you packaged these gifts! They’re so simple, but so elegant as well! I love the brown kraft paper and the added red and green!
Paige
http://thehappyflammily.com
I don’t purchase gift wrap, but I still try to wrap the presents in pretty ways. This year I used the packaging paper that came in our purchases to wrap our gifts, with bits of ribbon and lace that I’ve collected. Love these ideas!
I love gift-wrapped gifts (versus gifts in gift bags with tissue paper). Thank you for all the great ideas and tips!
(On a side note… I’m so glad I came here to do my last-minute, holiday-related research! You’re always my total lifesaver, Gabrielle! Thank you so! :-)
Gabrielle, the Pin feature on the pics in all posts seems to have disappeared. Makes it tough to pin items. Please check & restore it? Thank you!