32 Stylish Christmas Gift Wrapping Ideas

Keep Them Guessing with Gift Wrap

"This sprang from my own laziness!" Birmingham designer Iris Thorpe says about her ingenious method of wrapping presents: She designates one color of paper per family member and uses that to wrap all of their gifts. The assigned paper is revealed at Christmas Eve dinner, when everyone receives a homemade Christmas cracker made from "their" paper.

Coastal Inspiration

Rather than buying gift wrap, get creative and forage. Here, oyster shells (used as gift tags) reference the coast. Other options are pinecones or leaves.

Wow with Accents

Forgo the traditional bow. Add unexpected outdoor elements to your packages such as a twig wreath tied with a festive plaid ribbon.

Sealed with Gold

Incorporate leftover ornaments into your holiday gift-wrapping. Tie sparkly balls and stars onto packages with ribbon for an added flourish.

Make Gift Tags

Use a silver or gold paint pen to write someone's name on a magnolia leaf, and attach it to a present with double-sided tape. The touch is simple, yet elegant.

Craft Custom Crackers

Birmingham designer Iris Thorpe orders cracker snaps and uses bath tissue rolls to create handmade packages. She tucks special gifts inside the crackers to open on Christmas Eve.

Paper Trails

Kristin Gish of Austin, Texas, wraps her gifts with paper that matches her living room's color scheme. Sprigs of fresh greenery add life and aroma.

Berry Surprised

Tuck a sprig of berries or greenery, either fresh or faux, on top of a present in lieu of ribbon for a simple look. The fresh greenery also adds a nice holiday scent.

Step-by-Step Christmas Gifts

Scatter packages along the staircase to increase the holiday anticipation. Tie on accents, like silver jingle bells, in lieu of standard ribbon and bows.

Customize Presents

Extend the tree's color palette to the presents underneath by mixing cheery green-and-white paper and white ribbon. Add a special touch to each gift with handmade tags.

Make a Fashion Statement

Use embellishments that become keepsakes too. Take inspiration from fashion design and use seam binding instead of ribbon, then top gifts with beaded flowers and vintage brooches.

Garden-Inspired Wrap

Let your love of gardening carry over to the gifts you give. Try an amaryllis in bloom wrapped in burlap, glue pressed leaves to a gift box wrapped in kraft paper, or top off a package with a useful tool to accent your bow.

Deck Presents in Tartan

For a fresh and stylish holiday look, you can't go wrong with plaid. Cover your presents in kraft paper, and tie up with a ribbon of your favorite red and green tartan.

Embellish with Rosemary

Rich with Christmas legend, rosemary is the herb of love and remembrance. Tuck a handful of fresh sprigs beneath the ribbon just before delivering packages.

Use Household Items

If you're a last-minute wrapper, you still have time to make a statement. Grab office supplies you already have on hand, like graph paper and Sharpies, and create a humble, heartfelt package.

Make a Pine Impression

Take a nod from nature and highlight a simple natural pattern. A bold pine print wrapping paper just needs a solid green ribbon and a mini bouquet of holly to come together.

Embrace Gold and Silver

Skip the tree skirt and opt for soft metallic glamour in your Christmas presents. They'll reflect the shimmering lights and ornaments and provide a gleaming finishing touch for your tree.

Get Inspired by Nature

Go all out with a nature-inspired wrapping palette (think greens and browns). Top things off with uniquely Southern elements, straight from your local florist, nursery, or—even better—your own backyard, like a single cotton boll, eucalyptus flowers, or shiny Elaeagnus leaves.

Add Extra Sparkle

Pretty up your presents by attaching bells and shiny miniature ornaments. Use the same color ribbon on all your packages under the Christmas tree to make a cohesive look with different patterned wrapping papers.

Create a Golden Glow

For a bit of elegance, go gold. Metallic gift wrap paired with a wide wired ribbon that you can fluff up makes a stunning and refined present.

Make Gift Tags

Customize gift tags easily with glued-on cardboard letters. They work both on fabric and paper circles.

Get Inspired by Nature

Mix simple, solid-colored paper with artisan prints, and don't worry about a single one of them being Christmas paper. Then attach vintage ornaments and pinecones to packages to make them work with your other decorations.

Top with a Monogram

Once you've found something for everyone on your list, make their gift extra-special by topping with a custom wooden monogram rather than a simple sticker.

Order these from Southern Proper Monograms.

Choose a Patterned Box

Simple, fun, and oh so easy. Pick up a bold patterned storage box and top with shiny ornaments for an easy presentation that's still festive.

Wrap Candy Colored Gifts

Give your presents a peppermint-bark inspired theme with red marbled gift wrapping and creamy white accents. Gold ribbon adds to this collection's timeless look.

Match Your Color Scheme

Even if your colors aren't the traditional red and green, metallics, ribbon, and a bit of shimmer can set the holiday tone. The unexpected, like chocolate browns, can have a big impact under the tree.

Opt for Pastels

Here, you're not limited to Christmas patterns. Choose shapes and designs in lighter shades of red and green. Soft sea greens and pinks make a subtle statement under the tree.

Handwrite Gift Tags

The emphasis doesn't have to be on the gift wrap but the presentation. Learn calligraphy to create beautiful handwritten gift tags. Receivers will appreciate the gesture.

Wrap in Burlap

Burlap bags are perfect for hard-to-wrap gifts. They're easy to keep on hand, fill, and cinch with ribbon and greenery.

Coordinate Your Colors

Gift wraps in different patterns look coordinated when they use the same palette. A complementary color scheme goes a long way when you mix plaids, patterns, and solid prints.

Print Gift Tags

Let your kids get creative with their computer skills by photocopying festive fabrics and adding printed names to create customized gift tags. Make a set to match this year's theme or a different design for each person. The possibilities are endless.

Keep It Simple

Solid color paper paired with bright ribbon and a bell trim make this wrap holiday ready. Use any clippings from your fresh tree or garland to slip into the bow for merry gift giving.