Looking for some creative ways to wrap your presents? Grab some plain brown kraft paper or wrap and try one of these 40+ gift wrap ideas!
How many rolls of wrapping paper, bags of bows, piles of cards and gift tags do you have in your house? Wrapping presents can get expensive!
Wouldn’t it be great if you could find the perfect wrapping paper that would work for any occasion? Well, it does exist, and it is called kraft paper.
Using Kraft Paper for Wrapping Presents
Wait, what? You may be thinking “kraft paper is plain and ugly,” and you’d be right if you are thinking of just the brown paper alone. However, you can purchase kraft paper in a variety of colors and it is still cheaper than wrapping paper!
Plus, there are so many ways to “dress up” kraft paper or solid wrapping paper. I’ve come up with a list of over 40 gift wrap ideas that you are going to love! Just scroll down and get some inspiration.
Or, if you are like me and your wrapping skills aren’t that great, you can use gift bags. Not sure why, but when I’m wrapping gifts, things don’t seem to line up, my corners aren’t sharp and my creases don’t lay flat.
Gift bags are a godsend! I’m also fond of creating DIY gift boxes that look nice so I don’t even need to wrap them!
1
Stamps on Kraft Paper
Learn how to make homemade wrapping paper with kraft paper, stamps, and wooden tags! You can customize this a variety of ways.
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2
Confetti Wrap
Make this simple Christmas gift wrap using Mod Podge and confetti! Easy enough that kids can do it.
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3
thinkmakeshareblog.com
DIY Tissue Paper Gift Wrap
Tissue paper isn't just for gift bags! You can use it to wrap gifts in some interesting ways. The colors are great for times outside the holidays as well!
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4
www.lilblueboo.com
Simple Sharpie Gift Wrap
Ashley made simple Sharpie journals as gifts. Then she used the same idea for the wrap! Just plain black paper with gold Sharpie writing.
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5
thepapermama.com
Paper Tree Wrap
Paper triangles, gel pens, and tape turn into pretty Christmas trees on plain white kraft paper. I love the color choices here!
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6
asubtlerevelry.com
Pom Pom & Garland Gift Wrapping
Not sure how to wrap a gift? You can add some color with either 1) pom poms or 2) colorful pennant flags! You'll love how easy this is to do.
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7
tikkido.com
Glitter Striped Wrap
Turn your plain, solid wrapping paper into glittery striped paper using double sided tape and glitter. So easy, and really pretty!
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8
www.artbarblog.com
Mini Felt Garland
Make this colorful mini felt garland with a sewing machine! Not only can you use it to wrap gifts, but you can use it to hang when the wrapping is done.
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9
jenniferrizzo.com
Painted Gift Wrap
Use watercolors to paint plain white kraft paper! You really don't need any painting skills, Jennifer shows you how easy it really is.
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10
www.apieceofrainbow.com
Pine Bough Wrapping
Use recycled brown paper and free natural materials to create festive designs that everyone loves! I think the mini trees are so cute.
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11
Ashley Hackshaw
Personalized Stamp
Can't find the exact stamp you want for your stamped wrapping paper? Ashley shows you how to make your own and then create themed paper.
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12
splashofsomething.com
Paint and Sharpie Trees
If you don't feel very artistic, you can combine Sharpie with paint and pom poms to make this unique effect. Don't be afraid to experiment with colors!
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13
studiodiy.com
Emoji Gift Wrap
Turn plain yellow gift wrap into adorable emojis! Just cut out shapes from cardstock paper and glue them on.
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14
ideas.hallmark.com
Make DIY Wrapping Paper Bows
If you have some wrapping paper – but maybe not enough to wrap an entire gift – that doesn't mean you're out of luck. Wrap it with kraft paper or a different paper and then put some unique bows on top with your wrapping paper scraps!
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15
studiodiy.com
3D Heart Gift Wrap
This looks similar to the butterfly wrap from earlier, but is much easier to create! Just fold the hearts in half and attach to the paper.
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16
thinkmakeshareblog.com
Sheep Pom Pom Paper
Erin wrapped the box in gray paper and went once around with two kinds of ribbon: white grosgrain and textured orange cotton. Then she glued on teeny pom-poms to make tiny sheep, and added heads and legs with a black marker. I cannot even with this one, you guys.
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17
Vanessa Brady
Santa Handprints
Making Christmas handprints is a super fun holiday activity to do with your kids! After you're done doing the craft, then you can use the paper to wrap the gifts.
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18
www.crafterhoursblog.com
Colorful Sequins
You've seen confetti glued onto packages. Why not use colorful sequins as well? Draw out your design in pencil, then glue the sequins on top. It's so easy a kid can do it.
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19
thesoccermomblog.com
Cupcake Liner
Add cupcake liners to tyour gift wrap and then draw ornament tops on them for a festive upcycled wrap.
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20
tikkido.com
Easy Rainbow Ribbons
Plain wrapping paper and classic curling ribbon can look amazing, with a little creativity. This idea was used to gift My Little Pony favors, but you could tie any toy or favor on top.
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21
lovelyindeed.com
Image Transfer Collage Gift Wrap
Use packing tape image transfers to create a pretty collage on your present. Half the fun is finding the magazine pages to use for the transfers!
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22
almostmakesperfect.com
Washi Tape
Add shapes to your white paper using washi tape. Just cut out the shapes and spread them around the gift – super easy!
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23
Cheryl Sousan
Chalkboard Gift Wrap
Write or draw designs using chalk on black kraft paper wrap. Your only limit is your imagination!
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24
www.flaxandtwine.com
DIY Gem Sparkle Wrapping
These gem strands are genius, and you can use them in so many ways around the holidays (including to wrap packages!) Making the strand is pretty straight forward. Apply the craft glue to the gems, lay the yarn on top, then place another glue coated gem on top.
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25
www.bloominghomestead.com
Duck Tape Wrap
You can use this idea on plain boxes as shown, or wrap your gift with plain paper and add the Duck tape stripes, polka dots and 'ribbon.'
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26
Leslie Manlapig
Cat Gift Box
Make this fun black cat paper gift box! It’s perfect for someone that has a Halloween birthday, or for any kitty lover in your life.
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27
almostmakesperfect.com
DIY Paint Wrap
Use white paint to create some cute wrapping paper. Molly shows you how easy it is to make this artistic wrap without having any art skills.
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28
www.ellaclaireinspired.com
Handprint Wrapping Paper
Have your kids get involved with the wrapping by having them add handprints (or foot) with paint. A fun activity for them and super cute paper for you!
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29
www.minieco.co.uk
Hand-Drawn Gift Wrap
Plain brown kraft paper, a silver pen and your imagination is all you need for this DIY gift wrap! Bonus? No big bows to get squished when you pile up the presents.
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30
ourcraftymom.com
Chalk Sayings
Use Chalk Couture, a chalk transfer product that is just like a silkscreen, to add elegant holiday sayings to your plain wrap.
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31
thesweetestoccasion.com
Hand Lettered Gift Wrap
If you have nice handwriting, do some hand lettering on your package with a marker. It is neat how something as generic as "to you from me with love" can look so good!
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32
club.chicacircle.com
Holiday Writing
Use washi tape to add writing to your gift. It is easy to maneuver and makes a really cute package!
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33
Leslie Manlapig
Fox Gift Box
Make a super cute woodland themed gift box with this fun fox craft idea! Kids will love making it and you probably have a lot of the supplies already.
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34
intheplayroom.co.uk
Christmas Lights Wrapping Paper
Add holiday lights to your plain wrap using sponge painting and a marker. Super easy! Your kids could even help with this.
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35
thesoccermomblog.com
Metallic Marker Ribbons
No ribbons or bows? Just grab a metallic Sharpie and draw them on! Use any Christmas paper you like, or plain, and draw right on top.
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36
daisycottagedesigns.net
Crochet Ribbon Toppers
Make crochet (or knit) flowers and leaves to top your plain gift wrap. The 'ribbon' is just an easy chain stitch!
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37
www.minieco.co.uk
Woven Paper Topper
Pick coordinating paper colors like these pastels, and weave strips of paper on your gift. Kate made it easy and purchased quilling strips so she didn't have to cut all that thin paper!
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38
Anna Williams
Colorful Yarn-Tied Gift
No need to know how to crochet or knit to add yarn to your gift. If you can tie a knot, you can do this rainbow colors gift wrap idea from the book More Last-Minute Knitted Gifts by Joelle Hoverson!
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39
tellloveandparty.com
Beaded Ribbon
Grab your kid's mess of beads and you both can work together to make fun beaded ribbon for your gifts!
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40
plaidonline.com
Bubble Wrap Design
Use a rolling pin, bubble wrap, and paint to add a design to your plain paper. So easy!
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41
Trisha Zemp
Paper Flower Gift Topper
Grab a bunch of colors of tissue paper and make these fun flowers for the top of your plain gift wrap. The leaves are easily cut out of green scrapbook paper.
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Which of these gift wrap ideas do you want to try first? Let me know in the comments below. Then check out these other gift wrapping and Christmas related posts: