Let’s Talk Gift Wrap

For those of you who have been following The Love List for a while now, it should come as no surprise that I love gifting. Whether it’s a jar of homemade pickles or a carefully selected souvenir, gift giving is most certainly up there on my list of love languages. Interestingly, the process of wrapping gifts tends to take a bit of a backseat for me. But I am always looking for ways to step up my game.

As the holiday season approaches, I find myself preparing for gift-giving by planning and looking for ways to wrap presents. I often seek inspiration from sources like Pinterest (Check out my Pinterest here!) Today, I thought it might be helpful to share some creative gift-wrapping ideas for inspiration.

Ready to start wrapping?

Eco-Friendly Materials

As much as I do love a beautifully wrapped gift, what I don’t love is wastefulness. I recently came across a whole lane of gift wrapping rooted in eco-friendly materials. But that doesn’t mean it’s all newspaper cutoffs wrapped in twine; it’s fabrics and reusable treats that feel special and beautiful. Some of my favorite picks for this year include:

• Painted butcher’s paper. What could be boring brown paper becomes an elevated delight with painted ribbon. I’ve been painting my own cards this year (more on that below), so the option of matching the watercolors feels elegant and aesthetically pleasing! Personalized drawings on the wrapping paper is another perfect way to personalize.
• Foraged toppers. I already spend my holidays bringing the outdoors inside, so why not take it a step further and add foraged items to your gifts? Topping simple wrap with a beautiful collection of leaves makes a gift feel custom and special.
• Furoshiki. I’ve been exploring this traditional Japanese cloth which can be easily maneuvered to wrap a gift, but goes on to be useful long after the gift has been opened. The folds appear a bit tricky, but with enough fabric and a good YouTube tutorial, anything is possible 😉. Tea towels do a similar job, and I love the idea of giving a gift that can be in use for months to come!
• Beeswax wrap. Beeswax wraps are excellent for leftover vegetables and sandwiches. They would be a great way to elevate the gift wrap for a book or a small box of chocolates.

Unique Folds

Basic wrapping paper can be made so much more interesting with a unique fold. There are some really fun tutorials online, and I have to admit, I was tempted to buy everyone on my list a book this year so I could try all these out! For any gift cards, this is a no-brainer upgrade on an envelope.

Hand Painted Cards

I use Christmas as an opportunity to tap into my creativity, and this year, it’s been all about watercolor landscapes (featuring a few sweet furry friends). I love to personalize these based on the recipient, in the hope that they make it past the recycling come January. If painting isn’t your thing, I’ve seen cute options like hand-drawn calligraphy, colored paint splashes, and even children’s handprints. On that note, I have heard of parents using their kids’ school paintings (which apparently come home in abundance in early December) to wrap gifts for family and friends.

Usable Adornments

My gifts often feature a beautiful silk ribbon, or a multi-layered twist of twine. But on top of that? I can’t guarantee intricate gift wrapping, but that doesn’t mean I don’t appreciate the beauty of meticulously wrapped presents. Some of my favorites that take gift wrapping up a notch include:

• Dried fruit slices and herbs.  Using a dehydrator or your oven at a really low temperature, dry out slices of orange, apple or even berries, which can be attached to twine on a gift. Paired with some cinnamon sticks or sprig of rosemary, your recipient almost has the makings of a Christmas cocktail.
• Ornaments and decorations. I love a gift that’s covered in coordinated ornaments, or sparkling décor that can go straight from a gift to a tree. I love the look of these tassels in bright colors, contrasting against the neutral paper, or those that lean right into the pattern mixing. Another tradition in my family is origami, specifically making origami cranes. They are a great addition to gift wrapping and can be used as an ornament on the tree!
• Personalized photos. Perhaps my favorite of the bunch is the addition of a black and white photo or Polaroid of you and your gift recipient, or a photo of a place that means something to you both. Does it get any more thoughtful than that?