Curbly Original
DIY Custom Gift Bags from Wrapping Paper

by M.E. Gray
How to make a gift bag out of wrapping paper
How to make a gift bag out of wrapping paper
Photo: M.E. Russell

Don't you love the feeling when you wrap a present just right? All the corners fold in perfectly, the tape isn't wrinkled, and you successfully tie a bow without it being lopsided. It basically feels like a Christmas miracle. On the flip side, sometimes the gift you're trying to wrap is just too awkward or too weirdly shaped, and trying to wrap it turns into an existential crisis of tape and paper cuts. Sometimes it's best just to throw everything in a bag and call it a day. Here's how to make a gift bag out of wrapping paper, in three easy steps.

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Curbly Original
5 Ways To Wrap Gifts Using Office Supplies

by Faith Provencher
5 Ways To Wrap Gifts Using Office Supplies | For Curbly by Faith Towers Provencher #creative #gift #wrapping #holiday
Photo: Faith Towers Provencher

 Sometimes I get sick of using the same old gift wrapping supplies every year - they just never seem to run out! So this year I decided to get a little creative with my Christmas gift wrap by using office supplies to decorate plain brown kraft paper packages. And it was surprisingly easy! Click through to see five different ways to wrap gifts using office supplies.      

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16 Gift Wrap Ideas that Prove the Wrapping is the Best Part

by Holly Wade
16 Gift Wrap Ideas that Prove the Wrapping is the Best Part
Photo: A Beautiful Mess

At this point in the month, you might be finished with the shopping and have moved on to the gift wrapping (which is actually my favorite part). Make your gift wrap stand out under the tree with these gift wrap ideas that will make the wrapping just as fun as the buying! Whether you want to DIY or just wrap up a fun wrapping paper, there's an idea to fit your style and aesthetic. From gift toppers to tags to paper patterns, these cute gift wrap ideas are as fun to wrap as they are to open!

 

16 Gift Wrap Ideas that Prove the Wrapping is the Best Part
Photo: Lia Griffith

1. Adults and kids will both appreciate this adorable animal gift wrap project! Also try this version with cute sharks and cats.

16 Gift Wrap Ideas that Prove the Wrapping is the Best Part
Photo: Splash of Something

2. Use paper straws to make custom star designs on top of your gift packages. 

16 Gift Wrap Ideas that Prove the Wrapping is the Best Part
Photo:  Cakies

3. Dress up plain packaging with painted-on bows in any color!

16 Gift Wrap Ideas that Prove the Wrapping is the Best Part
Photo: Think. Make. Share

4. Adding handmade felt garlands like these abstract green pieces will make any package pop.

16 Gift Wrap Ideas that Prove the Wrapping is the Best Part
Photo: Sarah Hearts

5. Make your gift toppers part of the gift! Use gold bangles to create a gift topper.

16 Gift Wrap Ideas that Prove the Wrapping is the Best Part
Photo: Studio DIY

6. Channel all of the Palm Springs vibes into your gift with this fun printable tropical gift wrap. 

16 Gift Wrap Ideas that Prove the Wrapping is the Best Part
Photo: A Beautiful Mess

7. Use photos to create custom photo gift tags for each recipient! It's personal, and they can keep the photo as a memento, so it's more than just a tag.

16 Gift Wrap Ideas that Prove the Wrapping is the Best Part
Photo: Design Sponge

8. Get festive with mini wreath gift toppers! Make the names become the ribbons on your wreath.

16 Gift Wrap Ideas that Prove the Wrapping is the Best Part
Photo: Club Crafted

9. Use a Cricut or Silhouette cutting machine to draw patterns and create your own drawn wrapping paper for small gifts.

16 Gift Wrap Ideas that Prove the Wrapping is the Best Part
Photo: Paper & Stitch

10. Forget paper! Use scraps of fabric (or even a nice dish towel) to wrap up your gifts this year.

16 Gift Wrap Ideas that Prove the Wrapping is the Best Part
Photo: Almost Makes Perfect

11. Print out your own brush lettered gift tags for adding to the tops of your gifts!

16 Gift Wrap Ideas that Prove the Wrapping is the Best Part
Photo: Homey Oh My

12. Make a starry statement on your gifts with a simple homemade stars garland topper. 

16 Gift Wrap Ideas that Prove the Wrapping is the Best Part
Photo: Studio DIY

13. Use bright yellow wrapping paper and a few simple cut-outs to make fun emoji gift wrap!

16 Gift Wrap Ideas that Prove the Wrapping is the Best Part
Photo: Always Rooney

14. Practice those calligraphy skills by hand-drawing wrapping paper and writing their names into the design!

16 Gift Wrap Ideas that Prove the Wrapping is the Best Part
Photo: Paper & Stitch

15. Use simple stickers to create custom gift wrap that *shines.*

16 Gift Wrap Ideas that Prove the Wrapping is the Best Part
Photo: Bespoke Bride

16. Download this cute Christmas patterned wrapping paper up jazz up small gifts!

No matter how you wrap your gifts, I'm sure they will be beautiful! I would say "it's what's on the inside that counts," but that doesn't really apply to gifts. It's the thought that counts, really!

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Curbly Original
5 Creative Ways To Wrap Gifts With Kraft Paper

by Faith Towers Provencher
5 Creative Ways To Wrap Gifts With Kraft Paper
Photo: Faith Towers Provencher

Brown kraft paper is one of those materials that I always keep on hand because it's both cheap and versatile. It can be used for so many different things... including wrapping gifts. Today I'm sharing five creative ways to customize kraft paper to make your gifts look like they came straight from Pinterest. Click through to check them out.   

 

1. Stamp It

5 Creative Ways To Wrap Gifts With Kraft Paper
Photo: Faith Towers Provencher

For this first idea, you'll use paint to add a pattern to your kraft paper. Grab a sponge from the kitchen, cut it into a shape and dip it in a thin layer of acrylic craft paint to create your gift wrap. Be sure to dampen the sponge a bit for best results.

5 Creative Ways To Wrap Gifts With Kraft Paper
Photo: Faith Towers Provencher

I also added a small paper pom pom to the top of this gift... check out the tutorial for it here.

 

2. Embellish It

5 Creative Ways To Wrap Gifts With Kraft Paper
Photo: Faith Towers Provencher

For this one, use a hole punch to cut out polka dots from a few different pieces of colored paper. Then glue them randomly on to the kraft paper using a hot glue gun.  

5 Creative Ways To Wrap Gifts With Kraft Paper
Photo: Faith Towers Provencher

Tie with a piece of jute twine, and voila - a Pinterest-worthy gift!

 

3. Transform It

5 Creative Ways To Wrap Gifts With Kraft Paper
Photo: Faith Towers Provencher

To wrap an awkwardly shaped item that's relatively flat, you can create a pouch with a sewing machine. Measure your item, add 1 inch to each measurement, and then mark it lightly on two layers of kraft paper. Sew three sides, then slip the item in and sew the fourth and final side.

5 Creative Ways To Wrap Gifts With Kraft Paper
Photo: Faith Towers Provencher

Trim around the edges to make them even. Add a bow and a tag and you're finished!

 

4. Spray Paint It

5 Creative Ways To Wrap Gifts With Kraft Paper
Photo: Faith Towers Provencher

Grab some washi tape and create a stripe pattern on your paper. Spray paint it whatever color you like, let it dry, then peel off the tape. 

5 Creative Ways To Wrap Gifts With Kraft Paper
Photo: Faith Towers Provencher

The diagonal gold stripes look quite glamorous here - you might also try other colors or patterns for a different look.

 

5. Personalize It

5 Creative Ways To Wrap Gifts With Kraft Paper
Photo: Faith Towers Provencher

This is the easiest of them all - just pick up a set of metallic adhesive letters at the craft store and place one in the corner of your wrapped gift.

5 Creative Ways To Wrap Gifts With Kraft Paper
Photo: Faith Towers Provencher

Add metallic baker's twine and a small evergreen branch to finish the look. There are so many other ways to wrap using kraft, these are just a few of my favorites. Head over here to see a roundup of others from around the web, and feel free to share your ideas in the comments section!

 

5 Creative Ways To Wrap Gifts With Kraft Paper
Share this post on Pinterest! [Photo: Faith Towers Provencher]

 

 

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10 Creative Alternatives To Store-Bought Gift Wrap

by Faith Provencher
10 Creative Gift Wrap Alternatives
Photo: Rabbit Food For My Bunny Teeth

Still working on wrapping holiday gifts? Or maybe you aren't finished shopping yet? Today we have some gift wrapping ideas that are a little outside the box - literally and figuratively. We're sharing ten creative alternatives to basic, store-bought gift wrap... which will in turn save you some money, and be a little friendlier to the environment. Keep reading to check them out!   

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Curbly Original
How To: Wrap a Gift Like a Pro

by Alicia Lacy

How To: Wrap a Gift Like a Pro

'Tis the season of gift giving and the perfect time to learn how to properly wrap a gift. With a little practice, you can forgo gift bags altogether, and learn to create perfect corners and tidy packages. And, we'll even show you the sweetest way to wrap a bottle of wine. Grab your tape and scissors, your favorite roll of wrapping paper, and a spool of ribbon - let's wrap.

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Round up: 12 Fun Holiday Gift Wrap Printables

by Stephanie Lee
Round up: 12 Fun Holiday Gift Wrap Printables
Photo: The Lovely Drawer

If you're anything like me, you'll know what it's like to scrounge around on Christmas Eve for the last remnants of wrapping paper you can find because you've left your gift wrapping to the last minute and the shops are no longer open. Thankfully, the internet always comes to my rescue with printable after free printable full of prettily patterned paper goodness - it's saved my gifts and my sanity time and time again. Click through to see my favourite printable finds!

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Roundup: 10 Super Unique Gift Wrapping Ideas

by Faith Provencher

Roundup: 10 Super Unique Gift Wrapping Ideas

Now it's really crunch time. If you're like me, you still haven't quite finished wrapping all of your Christmas gifts. But there's no need to panic here people, because I have ten super creative gift wrapping ideas that are sure to knock your socks off. And you probably have many of the materials lying around the house already, right under your nose!   

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