This post is all about aesthetic, minimalistic gift wrapping ideas that you can easily recreate NOW, especially if you’re on a budget.
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It’s one thing to buy a gift for someone, but it’s a whole other ordeal to wrap the present (especially if the shape isn’t a simple box lol). On top of that, finding wrapping paper that isn’t insanely tacky is another separate challenge to tackle.
Each Christmas that goes by, I find myself appreciating the wrapping part of the gift more and more. It can be done so eloquently and elevate your gifts to the next level!
That is why I have searched the internet (mostly Pinterest) to find the best gift wrapping techniques, ideas, and hacks for you to incorporate into your gift-giving this holiday season. And to your surprise, many of these are SUPER EASY and SUPER CHEAP. We love a good budget-friendly, DIY moment.
Let’s get into it…
Gift Wrapping Idea #1: Using solid, neutral colored wrapping paper (none with patterns or designs!)
Solid, neutral-colored wrapping paper will totally set the tone for your gift wrapping this holiday season! It acts as a nice clean base, so you can build on top of it accordingly. This is also super classy and makes your gift look expensive and high-end. You don’t see luxury gifts being wrapped in Santa Clause printed wrapping paper (although don’t get me wrong, I do love a good Santa from time to time)! 😂
The great thing about this as well is that it is so much CHEAPER. Plain solid khaki-colored wrapping paper is like $5 at Target. Can’t get any better than that!! Here are a few options for your solid, neutral wrapping paper this Christmas 2021:
50 sq ft Gift Wrap Solid Brown Kraft – Wondershop™ – Target – $5.00
Dark Green Christmas Wrapping Paper, Gift Wrapping paper, Eco-Friendly Kraft Paper, 100% Recycled & Recyclable, Luxury Birthday – Etsy – $13.85
JAM PAPER Gift Wrap – Matte Wrapping Paper – 25 Sq Ft – Matte Chocolate Brown – Roll Sold Individually – Amazon – $12.49
Gift Wrapping Idea #2: Jute Twine
This gift wrapping idea is sooo cute and sooo easy to incorporate, you’ll be super happy you switched to this instead of the classic ribbon look. I’m talking JUTE TWINE people! I know, so random and doesn’t sound the greatest. But this combined with your solid, neutral wrapping paper will be so aesthetic and Pinterest-perfect your family and friends will absolutely LOVE it.
Jute twine is only a few dollars from stores like Target, Amazon, or Michaels (any local craft store really). And you can easily Google how to use it in your gift wrapping to create a nice bow. There’s really nothing to it, it just creates this visually pleasing, classy, and simplistic look that is so effortless. A MUST to try and recreate!!
Gift Wrapping Idea #3: Dried Fruits (specifically orange slices)
Next, we have a TOTAL crowd pleaser and combined with the above two ideas, *chef’s kiss*. Nothing screams fall/winter and cozy seasonal vibes like dried fruits. Does anyone else feel that? 😂
The way to incorporate your dried fruits (orange slices) into your gift wrapping is by using them as an accessory to compliment a gift tag. Or even to add some dimension if you don’t have a gift tag and you’re just working with your solid wrapping paper and twine! Head over to my Pinterest Board – Gift Wrapping Ideas – to see some inspo pics and the vibes we’re going for.
If you’re not into DIYing and drying your own orange slices, found this bundle from Amazon linked below!
Gift Wrapping Idea #4: Greenery or Dried Florals
If dried fruit isn’t your thing, you can easily add some sort of greenery or dried florals to elevate your gift wrapping. Similarly with the dried fruits, adding in this element can totally take your solid wrapping paper and jute twine to the next level!
You can use your jute twine to hold the greenery or dried florals in place. Place the greenery or dried florals on top of your wrapped gift and use the jute twine to make a nice bow around it all.
Furthermore, you can purchase greenery from your local grocery store. For example, you can get fresh rosemary in the garnishing section of the local grocery store for only a couple of dollars!! These could also be used to garnish your drinks for the holidays as well 😉.
When it comes to dried florals, my go-to is Afloral. They have some beautiful options that are all so budget-friendly. Such an aesthetic vibe, PERFECT for festive gift wrapping this year. Check out a few of my favs here:
- Pack of 10 – Preserved Flat Fern Leaves in Tan Taupe – 16-20″ Tall – Afloral – $26.00
- Dried Lavender Bundle in Purple Blue – 6-14″ Tall – Afloral – $28.00
- Preserved Mixed Eucalyptus Bundle – 22-32″ Tall – Afloral –
$32.00$28.00 on SALE
Gift Wrapping Idea #5: Folding
A trend I’m noticing on Pinterest is unique ways of wrapping your solid, simple wrapping paper. Having unique folding techniques can totally make your solid wrapping paper THAT much cooler.
One that I’ve been seeing a lot is the Kimono Technique. It’s almost a weaving style that creates little pockets in your wrapping paper, which would be perfect for holding your greenery stems or dried florals. I’ve pinned some how-to videos on my Pinterest, under the Gift Wrapping Ideas board. But here are a few steps you can try and follow to recreate the Kimono Gift Wrapping Technique:
- Place your gift at the top of your wrapping paper vertically (works easiest for rectangular gifts)
- Fold the bottom half of your wrapping paper upwards to cover your gift completely (& tape), leaving just the sides open
- Pinch either the left or right side (at the bottom corner) to create two flaps (upper & lower)
- Fold the upper tab over the left side of the gift (then the same with the right upper tab over the right side of the gift)
- Fold the lower tab over the left side of the gift (repeat on the right)
- Seal your folds with a piece of tape (double-sided tape for a cleaner look)
- Finish folding the top part of your gift however you’d like!
Gift Wrapping Idea #6: Adding in a personal touch with printed photos or polaroid’s!
Adding a personal touch to all your gift wrapping is so special and definitely something the recipient will remember. Most people tend to label gifts with a “To” and “From” name tag, but that can easily be overdone.
Elevate your name tags by using a printed photo or polaroid picture of you and the gift recipient! This can be a photo from one of your favorite moments together. Anything to add a bit of sentimental value to your gift and gift wrapping that they might not expect.
Easily punch a hole in your photo and string it to the gift with your jute twine (along with your gift tag or dried fruit if you’d like). Such an easy little DIY that is super budget-friendly and adds that homey sense of Christmas to your already aesthetic gifts.
Gift Wrapping Idea #7: Wax Stamps
Lastly, we have wax stamps. These have been huge all over social media, especially when it comes to using them for wedding invitations. But they would also be PERFECT to add to your gift wrapping routine.
You can purchase a little kit from Etsy or Amazon, I’ve linked a few really cute (Christmas-themed) ones below!
- Merry Christmas Wax Seal Stamp Set – Amazon –
$15.89$14.99 on SALE - Christmas forest deer wax seal stamp kit – Etsy – starting at $4.84+
- Christmas Santa Claus Face Wax Seal – Etsy – starting at $8.04+
If you’re not into DIYing or doing this whole wax stamp process isn’t you’re thing, found these ADORABLE wax seals that are essentially premade. They come with a self-adhesive backing, so stick it right on your gift and you’re good to go!
They’re super easy to use. You can place a little seal to hold your jute twine and dried floral into place on the front and center of your gift. This will totally add an aesthetic touch to your gifts this holiday season.
If you’ve made it all the way to the end…
I hope you found this list helpful when it comes to gift wrapping this season! Check out my previous blog post, Gift Ideas: 41 First Apartment Essentials, for more of my content. Happy Holidays everyone ❤️.
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