Nice gift wrap can cost almost as much as a small gift. The good news is that some of the most beautiful wrapping ideas cost next to nothing. Here’s how to make gifts look special for less.
Start With What You Have
- Brown kraft paper or paper grocery bags look classic, especially with twine and a sprig of greenery.
- Newspaper, old maps or sheet music make charming, one-of-a-kind wrapping.
- Fabric wrapping (a scarf, tea towel or fabric scrap tied with a knot) doubles as part of the gift. This style is known as furoshiki in Japan.
- Save and reuse gift bags, tissue paper, boxes and ribbon from past years.
Small Touches That Make It Look Expensive
- Stick to two or three colors across all your gifts for a matching look.
- Add something natural: a pinecone, cinnamon stick, dried orange slice or evergreen sprig.
- Use a handwritten tag. It’s more personal than a store-bought label.
- Fold edges crisply and use double-sided tape so no tape shows.
Awkward Shapes Made Easy
- Put odd-shaped gifts in a box or a paper bag first.
- Roll soft items like clothing and wrap them like a candy, twisting the ends.
- For bottles, a simple fabric wrap or a paper bag tied at the neck works well.
Cut Down on Waste
- Check your local recycling rules. Plain paper is often recyclable, but many programs don’t accept foil, glitter or plastic-coated wrap. A common test: if the paper stays scrunched in a ball, it’s more likely to be recyclable. If it springs back, it’s probably not.
- Remove tape and bows before recycling paper.
- Buy plain paper you can dress up, instead of glittery wrap you can’t recycle.
A Budget Wrapping Kit
A roll of kraft paper, a spool of twine, a pack of plain tags and some double-sided tape will wrap nearly every gift you give this year, and most of it lasts for years.
The Bottom Line
Simple materials, a consistent color scheme and a personal touch make gifts look beautiful for very little money, with far less waste.
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