Quick answer: you can wrap gifts neatly without fancy supplies. Use kraft paper with twine, a reusable cloth wrap, or a paper bag with ribbon. Stick to two or three colors, add a topper such as greenery or an ornament, and keep a gift bag handy for odd shapes.
Beautiful wrapping doesn't need expensive paper or craft skills. These 15 ideas use simple materials, and most take under ten minutes. Pick a few, mix them and see what suits your gifts.
Plain brown kraft paper, twine, a sprig of fresh or faux greenery.
Wrap the gift, tie twine around it twice, then tuck the sprig under the knot. Write the name on the paper with a white pen. It looks polished and costs very little.
Kraft paper is also easy to find in rolls, so it works for lots of gifts.
A square of fabric: a scarf, tea towel or fabric offcut.
Set the gift diagonally in the center. Bring two opposite corners up over the gift and tie a knot. Do the same with the other two corners, then tuck in any loose ends. The cloth becomes part of the gift and needs no tape.
Press the fabric first, since creases show more than on paper.
Old book pages, sheet music or newspaper, ribbon.
Use pages from a damaged or thrifted book, or print public-domain sheet music. Wrap as normal and add a red ribbon for contrast.
Only use pages you're happy to cut up. Don't tear up valuable books.
Plain paper, decorative washi tape.
Run strips of tape diagonally across plain paper, or lay them in a grid for a plaid look. Trim the ends flush with the edge for a clean finish.
Washi tape peels off paper easily, which is handy if you misplace a strip.
A potato, a small knife (adult only), washable paint, kraft paper.
Cut a potato in half, carve a simple raised shape like a star or tree, dab it with paint and press it onto the paper. Let it dry fully before wrapping. A fun activity to do with kids.
Use non-toxic, washable paint, and keep the carving to an adult.
A tin, jar, basket, mug or tote bag, tissue paper.
Skip paper altogether. Nestle the gift in tissue inside a container the person can reuse, and tie a ribbon around it.
Good for odd-shaped or soft gifts that are hard to wrap.
A sheet of sturdy paper or card, tape, ribbon.
Roll the paper into a cone, tape the seam, fill it with cookies or small treats and fold the top over. Tie with ribbon or twine.
Use parchment or a food-safe liner inside if the treats are food.
Wrapping paper or plain paper in two colors, matching ribbon.
Pick two colors, such as white and gold or red and green, and use only those on every gift. A pile of presents under the tree looks styled and intentional with very little effort.
Mix patterns and plain paper within the same two colors for depth.
About 1 meter (3 feet) of wired or soft ribbon, thinner ribbon.
Make a loop on each side of a figure-eight, pinch the center and tie it tightly with a thin ribbon. Fluff the loops, then trim the tails at an angle.
Cut the ribbon ends at a slant or in a V for a neat finish.
A small ornament, cinnamon stick or candy cane, twine.
Tie the topper to the ribbon along with a tag. It decorates the gift and gives the person a small keepsake.
Choose lightweight toppers so they don't tear the paper.
Oranges, a sharp knife, an oven, greenery, twine.
Cut thin orange slices and dry them in a low oven (many recipes use about 95°C / 200°F for two to three hours, flipping once). Tie a slice and a sprig to the gift.
Ovens vary, so watch them closely and let them cool completely before using.
Children's artwork, a map or a photocopied page, tape.
Wrap gifts for grandparents and relatives in a child's drawing. Or use a map of a place that matters to the person, like where you met.
Photocopy the original if you want to keep it.
A plain paper bag, hole punch, ribbon or twine.
Put the gift inside, fold the top over twice, punch two holes through the fold and thread ribbon through them. Add a tag.
Reinforce the fold with a piece of tape on the inside.
Paper, tape, tissue, a gift bag or tube.
Bottles: roll in paper like a tube and twist the top closed with ribbon. Soft items: put in a box or bag with tissue. Large items: cover with fabric or a sheet tied with a big bow.
When in doubt, use a bag. Nobody will mind.
An empty cereal box, scissors, hole punch, string, a pen.
Cut the card into shapes using a cookie cutter or stencil, punch a hole, and write the name. Use a metallic pen for a nicer look.
Make a batch while you wrap so they match.
It depends on the number and size of gifts. Try our wrapping paper calculator for an estimate.
Cloth wraps, gift bags, tins and paper-bag bags all need no tape. You can also tie paper closed with twine.
Kraft paper, plain paper bags and reusable fabric are usually the least expensive. Decorate them with twine, greenery or stamps.
It depends on where you live. Plain paper is often accepted, but foil, glitter and plastic-coated papers often aren't. Check your local recycling rules.
Use a gift bag, a box with tissue, or a cloth wrap. Bottles can be rolled in paper like a tube.
Free tools to try: