Holiday wrapping paper adds up quickly, and most of it cannot be recycled once it has glitter or a shiny coating. Bags and bows pile up too, and the gift table can start to look busy instead of pretty.
DIY gift wrapping fixes both. A roll of plain kraft or white paper, some cotton string and a few natural toppers can make every present look calm and thoughtful. Most of these ideas cost a few dollars, and many of the materials are already in your kitchen or garden.
Here is how to wrap a box neatly, plus six easy ideas that make simple paper look special.
What You Need
- A large roll of kraft paper or plain white paper
- Clear tape or double sided tape
- Sharp scissors
- Natural cotton string, jute twine or linen ribbon
- Plain paper tags or cardstock
- A fine black marker or pencil
- Optional toppers: dried orange slices, cinnamon sticks, fresh fir or eucalyptus sprigs, small pine cones
- Optional fabric squares for reusable wraps
How to Wrap a Box Neatly
Neat folds make even plain paper look polished.
- Measure the paper. Set the box in the center. The paper should wrap around the box with about 2 inches of overlap, and extend past each end by a little more than half the box’s height.
- Cut straight. Use a long fold line as a guide: crease the paper where you want to cut, then slide the scissors along the crease.
- Fold the long edge. Fold over a half inch on one long edge for a crisp seam. Wrap the paper around the box and tape the folded edge down in the center.
- Fold the ends. Push the sides in to make two triangle flaps on each end. Crease all the folds firmly with a fingernail.
- Finish the ends. Fold the bottom flap up, then the top flap down. Fold the tip of the top flap under for a clean edge and tape it.
- Tie it. Wrap string around the box both ways, tie a knot on top, and finish with a simple bow or a topper.
Tip: Double sided tape hidden under the folds makes the gift look seamless.
1. Kraft Paper With Dried Orange Slices
Dried orange slices look like little stained glass windows on kraft paper.
- Slice oranges about 1/4 inch thick and blot both sides well with a clean towel.
- Lay them on a parchment lined baking sheet in a single layer.
- Bake at about 200°F for 2 to 3 hours, flipping every 30 to 45 minutes, until dry and slightly translucent.
- Let them cool completely on a rack.
- Tuck one under the string on each gift with a cinnamon stick or a sprig of fir.
Safety note: Use oven mitts when flipping the slices and keep an eye on them toward the end so they do not scorch. Let the tray cool before kids help with the toppers.
2. Hand Stamped Paper
Plain paper becomes custom wrap with a simple stamp. Cut a potato in half, carve a star or a simple shape into the cut side with a small knife, and blot it dry. Dip it in acrylic paint and stamp it across white or kraft paper in a loose pattern. A pencil eraser makes perfect little dots.
Let the paper dry flat overnight before wrapping. An adult should do the carving, and kids can do the stamping.
3. Fabric Wrap
Wrapping gifts in fabric is pretty and reusable. Lay a square of fabric face down, set the gift diagonally in the center, bring two opposite corners up and tie them in a knot, then tie the other two corners over the top. Linen napkins, cotton scarves and fabric remnants all work. A square about three times the width of the gift is a good size.
4. Fresh Greenery Toppers
A small sprig of fir, cedar, rosemary or eucalyptus tucked under the string adds color and a lovely scent. Snip a few stems from the garden or the trimmings at a tree lot. Add greenery the day you give the gift so it stays fresh.
Keep greenery and dried decor away from candles and heaters, and remember that some plants, like eucalyptus, are not safe for pets to chew.
5. Simple Ribbon and String Swaps
Instead of plastic bows, try these:
- Natural cotton string wrapped several times and tied in a small knot
- Linen or velvet ribbon in a soft color
- A strip of fabric torn along the grain for a soft frayed edge
- Thin wool yarn in cream or sage
Sticking to one or two ribbon colors across all the gifts makes the pile look coordinated.
6. Handmade Tags
Cut tags from cardstock or the back of an old greeting card using a template, punch a hole and thread the string through. Write names in a simple hand. Small white clay ornaments, a pressed leaf glued to the tag, or a stamped star all make tags feel special, and many can be kept as a keepsake.
Wrapping Odd Shaped Gifts
- Bottles: roll them in paper, gather the top and tie it with string like a bouquet.
- Soft items: fold clothes neatly and place them in a simple box first.
- Round items: set them in the center of a fabric square and gather all four corners.
- Small gifts: a clean glass jar with a fabric circle on the lid is a pretty container.
A wrapped gift is the first thing someone sees, and simple materials can look lovely with a little care. Choose one paper, one string and one topper, and the whole gift pile will feel calm and coordinated.
Which wrapping idea are you trying first this year, the dried orange toppers, the stamped paper or the fabric wrap? Tell us in the comments.
Quick Questions
Is kraft paper good for wrapping gifts?
Yes. It is sturdy, affordable, easy to fold neatly and usually recyclable. It also pairs well with natural toppers like oranges and greenery.
How long do dried orange slices last?
Fully dried slices stored in an airtight container in a cool, dry place last for months. If they feel soft or sticky, they need more drying time.
How do I wrap a gift without tape?
Fabric wraps need no tape at all. For paper, fold the edges carefully and hold everything in place with string tied both ways around the box.
What is the cheapest way to make presents look nice?
A roll of kraft paper, cotton string and a natural topper like greenery or a dried orange slice costs very little and looks thoughtful on every gift.
