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The Elegant Way to Wrap Your Holiday Gifts

Gift-giving is an art that extends far beyond the item itself. The presentation of a gift plays a crucial role in enhancing the overall experience for both the giver and the recipient. The way a gift is wrapped, packaged, and delivered can transform a simple gesture into a profound expression of thoughtfulness and care. In honor of the holiday spirit of giving back, let’s explore some elegant gift-wrapping trends that you can try out during the holiday season this year.

1) Pleated Packaging

This technique adds a touch of elegance, making any gift look expensive and professional. It’s particularly effective for formal occasions like weddings.

When pleating your wrapping paper, it’s best to stick to a solid color or a minimal pattern, allowing your beautiful pleating to be the star of the show. I always recommend practicing on scrap paper before attempting my final paper to avoid over-crinkling and excessive fold lines.

2) Newspaper or Comic Strips

Using fun pages from newspapers can give your gifts a quirky twist while also being cost-effective and sustainable! You can also get adorable wrapping paper that is newspaper-printed ( and it’s actually kind of entertaining to read sometimes!!).

Pro Tips
  • You can easily dress up newspaper wrapping with any bright-colored bow
  • Use comic strips for a more playful, casual, yet unique display!
  • Feeling fancy? Pleat your newspaper wrapping using the tutorial above

3) Dried Flowers/ Seasonal Trinkets

A great way to decorate any gift is to incorporate unexpected elements like dried flowers, personalized tags, or seasonal decorations to add a personal/festive touch. Bonus points if you got the flower/trinket at a memorable spot/memory with your loved one!

Spring: Lavender, Baby’s Breath, Statice, Cherry Blossoms, Pastel-Colored Eggs, Butterfly Ornaments, Moss

Summer: Sunflowers, Hydrangeas, Strawflowers, Seashells, Driftwood, Citrus Slices, Colorful Paper Fans

Autumn: Wheat Stalks, Pampas Grass, Eucalyptus, Oak Leaves, Pinecones, Acorns, Mini Pumpkins

Winter: Cotton Bolls, Silver Dollar Eucalyptus, Pine Branches, Holly Berries, Cinnamon-Scented Pinecones

Weddings/ Baby Showers: Roses, Peonies, Baby’s Breath, Lavender, Pearl Strands, Lace Ribbons, Feathers

Holidays (Christmas/New Years): Poinsettias, Mistletoe, Holly, Pine Branches, Glittery Snowflakes, Tinsel

4) Polaroid Photo Toppers

The presentation of a gift can become part of the memory associated with the occasion. Years later, recipients may recall not just the gift itself but also how it was presented and the emotions it evoked. For personalized and memorable details, attach a Polaroid picture to the gift.

Plus, once the gift wrapping is over, the recipient gets to keep the Polaroid as a treasured keepsake! It’s a gift within a gift!

4) Elevated Ribbons/Bows

Use luxurious ribbons, such as velvet or satin, to instantly create a sophisticated look. By utilizing these exquisite fabrics, you can transform even the simplest wrapped package into a gift that exudes elegance and thoughtfulness.

Satin Bows

Satin ribbons give your gifts a sleek, glossy look. They are great for weddings, anniversaries, and other elegant celebrations. You can get satin ribbon in nearly any color to match your gift, making it an easy addition to your gift wrapping.

Velvet Bows

Velvet exudes warmth and opulence. I love using velvet ribbons for holidays and formal occasions. Velvet often comes in rich, deep tones like burgundy, emerald, espresso, and navy, making them absolutely perfect for the holidays!

5)Pom-Poms

Tired of tying bows? For a whimsical and eye-catching alternative to traditional bows, consider adorning your gifts with cheerful pom-poms. These fluffy spheres of joy can instantly transform any package into a delightful surprise.

  • Use one large pom-pom as a focal point (similar to how bows are typically placed)
  • Group several smaller pom-poms for a festive look
  • Arrange pom-poms in gradient colors for a sophisticated twist
  • Combine pom-poms with dried flowers or trinkets (tip #3)

Where to buy Pom-Poms: Michaels, Joann Fabrics, Hobby Lobby, AC Moore, Craft Warehouse

6)Hand-Stamped Paper

Hand-stamped wrapping paper is the peak where sustainability and elegance meet- and it’s super easy to do! You can upgrade any plain wrapping or butcher paper with any stamp you have to add character and uniqueness. This personalized touch transforms ordinary paper into a work of art, making your present genuinely one-of-a-kind.

Pro Tips
  • Create an all-over design by stamping in a grid or random pattern
  • Stamp along the edges of the paper for a framed look
  • Use larger stamps as centerpieces
  • Overlap different stamps/colors

7) DIY Gift Bags

Have you ever bought a gift that was very awkwardly shaped and didn’t quite fit into a perfectly square box? Well, thank goodness for gift bags, which are a practical and stylish alternative to boxing your gift. Many retailers sell gift bags wherever you can find wrapping paper and other gift-wrapping materials, but did you know you can make gift bags with little more than your basic wrapping supplies.

Materials Needed
  • Sturdy Paper (Craft Paper, Cardstock)
  • Scissors
  • Glue/Tape
  • Ruler
  • Pencil
  • Decorative Elements (stickers, stamps, etc.)

Watch a full video tutorial on how to make your own gift bag at home here.

  1. Cut the Paper: Start by cutting a rectangular piece of paper. The dimensions will depend on the size of your gift; a standard size is 12” x 24” for medium-sized gifts.
  2. Fold the Sides: Fold in the long sides of the rectangle about 2 inches from the edge. This will create the sides of the bag.
  3. Create the Bottom: Fold up the bottom edge about 4 inches and then fold in the corners to form a triangular shape. Secure with glue or tape.
  4. Assemble the Bag: Bring the top edges together and fold them down to create a flap. Secure with glue or tape.
  5. Add Handles: Punch holes on either side of the bag and thread through ribbon or twine for handles.
  6. Decorate: Personalize your bag with stamps, stickers, or drawings that match the occasion or recipient’s interests.

8)Layering with Tissue Paper

Add layers of tissue paper or confetti for a luxurious unboxing experience. This simple yet effective technique adds depth, texture, and an element of surprise to your gift wrapping.

Pro Tips

  • Use gradually darkening or lightening shades of the same color for a sophisticated ombre look
  • Include a layer of tissue paper confetti for a festive surprise
  • Use lightly scented tissue paper or mist your favorite fragrance over the paper for an aromatic touch
  • Mix in papers with different textures for added visual and tactile interest

9)Playing With Unusual Shapes

Unleash your creativity by wrapping gifts in unusual shapes that spark the question, “What could that be?!” In a sea of traditional rectangular boxes and gift bags, a uniquely shaped gift will undoubtedly catch the eye of anyone in the room.

Furoshiki (pictured left), the traditional Japanese art form of fabric wrapping, offers a stunningly aesthetic method for wrapping gifts. This versatile technique transforms simple cloth into an elegant sheath for any thoughtful gift.

Pro Tip: Enhance your Furoshiki wrapping with natural elements or trinkets (refer to Tip #3).

10) Contrasting Colors

In the art of gift wrapping, contrasting colors create a captivating visual dance that elevates your presentation from ordinary to extraordinary. This bold approach harnesses the power of color theory to create packages that are impossible to ignore.

Use these color pairings this holiday season…

Midnight BlueCherry Mahogany
Spruce GreenCookie Dough Cream
Frosting WhiteOrnament Bauble Red
Cinnamon BrownGingerbread Brown
Remember, darlings, the key is to be bold yet intentional. Let your color choices tell a story, reflect the occasion, or resonate with the recipient’s personality.
Other Gift-Giving Pro Tips
  • Small details can make a big difference. Crisp folds, neatly tied bows, and carefully aligned patterns show that you paid attention to detail.
  • Take your time when packaging a gift. Put on some music, grab a cute drink, and really immerse yourself in the process of preparing the gift to give.
  • When you give your gift, build anticipation! A well-presented gift builds suspense and excitement. The art of unwrapping becomes an experience in itself, prolonging the joy of receiving a gift.
  • Use high-quality wrapping paper or fabric wraps.

The presentation of a gift is an integral part of the gifting process. It demonstrates that you are a woman who puts effort, thoughtfulness, and consideration into the gifts that she gives. By paying attention to the presentation, you can enhance the overall experience, create lasting impressions, and strengthen relationships. Remember, it’s not just about what’s inside the package- the way it’s presented can be just as meaningful and memorable.

With Love From Genovia,

-Amiya

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