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Looking for some new and creative gift wrapping hacks? You don’t need to ditch those peel-and-stick gift tags and ribbons just yet, but we do have more fun and inventive options to add some pizzazz to your gifts.
Use our hacks to get oohs and aahs from your gift recipients. Before we break down our clever tips, here’s a list of KCL’s favorite ways to save money when it’s time to wrap gifts:
Bows are great, but it’s time to switch things up. Add your recipient’s favorite candy as a gift topper. Pinch the middle of the candy (bags are best, not bars), and tie ribbon in a loose knot in the middle of the package to create a bowtie.
Save money on your favorite sweets by browsing our dedicated candy coupons page.
2. Attach photos instead of gift tags on presents.
No more guessing which present belongs to who. Print a color or black and white photo (better yet, use those extra school portraits you have left over) to make a gift tag. Secure it into place with double-sided tape or ribbon.
If you don’t have a photo printer, use Walgreens as an inexpensive option. There are plenty of Walgreens photo coupons to use.
3. Get creases out of ribbon with a flat iron.
Wired ribbons have a tendency to buckle and wrinkle when they’re not stored properly. Make it new again with a flat iron. On a low setting, glide the iron across the ribbon until it flattens.
4. Tape crayons and toys onto kraft-paper wrapped gifts.
Put those extra crayons to good use and assemble a beautiful present that kids will adore. Line up six crayons in the center (or off-center) of the box and attach Washi tape on top of them. Kraft paper works best here to show off the colors.
Need to restock Crayola crayons? Bookmark our coupon page.
5. Make your own star garland with Model Magic.
With a rolling pin, roll out Model Magic onto freezer or wax paper (don’t use regular paper as the Model Magic will stick). Use a small cookie cutter of your choice to stamp out the modeling clay. Then follow the drying instructions on the package. Glue the dried shapes onto ribbon or baker’s twine and wrap around a gift.
NOTE: The more you work with and knead the Model Magic, the easier it will be to roll out and cut.
6. Keep ribbons neat with a paper towel holder.
Buy a paper towel holder from Dollar Tree and stack your gift-wrapping ribbons for easier access. Store this tower among your other gift wrapping essentials, like paper and tape, so that you have everything within reach.
7. Or use a binder clip to keep a ribbon roll secure.
I hate seeing my ribbons a mess after an exhaustive wrapping session. Keep them secure and in shape with a large binder or paper clip. Take organization a step further and add the clipped ribbons to a zip-top bag from Ziploc or Hefty.
8. Wrap a big cardboard box and use it as a decorative wrapping paper wastebasket on Christmas day.
Ready to make an upscale, festive wastebasket? Use leftover or mismatched wrapping paper and cover a large cardboard box (from all of those Amazon purchases). While you’re unwrapping your presents, dump the paper into the box and recycle the whole thing.
Grab a roll of wrapping paper (thicker paper works best), roll it out, and cut to size according to the gift. Fold both sides into the middle, overlapping just a little, and tape along the whole edge. The more tape you use the better.
Fold the bottom up, pull apart the opening, and flatten out the sides.
Fold the top and bottom in together (slightly overlapping them), and tape all the creases and folds.
Carefully open the bag and add your gift. Finally, fold the top back over, tape down, and add a ribbon or bow.
Cut two small, vertical slits at the top of the DIY bag. Feed a candy cane through the hole horizontally. Then attach a gift tag to the neck of the candy addressed to your loved one.
11. Make small gift boxes out of toilet paper tubes.
Flatten a clean tube by creating two creases, then fold and tuck the ends inward to keep your gift from sliding out.
Decorate the tube with ribbon, paper, and twine, and you’re done.
12. Prevent wrapping paper from unrolling with toilet paper tubes.
Toilet paper rolls to the wrapping rescue again. Cut the empty tube lengthwise and position it over the middle of the wrapping paper where the cut end is. The tube will prevent the cut side from unrolling.
13. Use double-sided tape and confetti instead of ribbons.
I typically hate glitter or confetti, but in a controlled setting, this is a genius gift wrapping topper.
Apply double-stick tape to the top of a wrapped present. With a newspaper or garbage bag to catch the fall, sprinkle holiday confetti over the tape. Tip off any excess. Simple as that.
14. Wrap a present with decorative fabric.
Wrapping presents with fabric is actually on trend this year, and it doesn’t require tape or ribbon.
Lay the fabric flat and place your present in the center. Hold the corners of the fabric and tie a knot, then repeat for the other corners. Straighten the fabric neatly, tucking in any stray edges. Accessorize with artificial berries and greenery, then add a gift tag.
Wrapping with fabric works especially well for awkwardly shaped items. Plus, you can reuse the wrapping. Head to Joann to pick up seasonal designs for this hack.
15. Make your own wrapping paper designs with used K-Cups.
Upcycle your K-Cups and create custom art as gift wrapping paper. Wrap your gift first. Pour acrylic paint on a disposable plate, and dip the empty, clean K-Cup in the paint. Now, stamp the painted cup on Kraft paper. Use a few K-Cups to stamp different colors.
16. Or use the newspaper’s comics section as gift wrap.
If you still read a physical newspaper like me, put the Sunday comics page to good use. Wrap your present as usual with the newspaper and add some flair like ribbons or a bow. The crayon idea (Tip #4) would be excellent here.
17. Have kids cut out snowflakes and use them as gift toppers or tags.
We have the perfect step-by-step paper snowflake tutorial here. Rather than just hang them on your tree, add them into your gift wrapping ideas.
After kids cut out shapes, help thread ribbons through holes in the snowflakes and tie around presents.
18. Decorate presents with twine and washi-tape flags.
Another low-cost, creative way to wrap gifts is to use colored twine and washi tape. Wrap and secure the twine around the box. Then fold six pieces of washi tape along the twine on the top of the box.
Make the flags by snipping the tape with sharp scissors. Use washi tape in patterns or various colors to add some variation.
19. Organize your gift wrapping station with a wine box.
Most liquor stores have large wine boxes with dividers, and if you buy enough vino, you’ll get one. Incorporate it into your decorating station by storing your wrapping paper tubes.
