Designer Gift Wrap as Easy as 1,2,3!
Before you grab that gift bag, read this! Here are some tips to create gift wraps that will become part of your holiday decor. Read on to find out how to get that professionally wrapped look and streamline your process at the same time!
First, pick a theme. Are you a young family with little ones whose excitement for the season is what it’s all about? If so, think fun prints, bold graphics and a splash of color. Or perhaps you are picturing gifts that look like they came out of a page from your favorite furniture stores’ holiday catalog or pinterest. If this is more your style go with classic gift wrap like solids or simple prints that reflect your homes’ style. An abstract print leans modern, classic plaid people, you know who you are! My theme for the past several years has been inspired by nature, winter edition!
Second, once you have that vision, simplify! The designer in me says try to limit yourself to three different wrapping papers. Anything more might look like a bad scene from a mall Santa photo. We are going for a curated, designer look here. Imagine you just walked into RH or Pottery Barn Kids. For the kiddos I always love a fun print, mixed with a coordinating stripe or solid and a whimsical typographical paper like “Love Santa” (a favorite of mine, that you can find at Homegoods!). Taking my nature theme as an example this year I have limited myself to two papers, the tried and true, forever favorite brown kraft and a black version of the same for contrast. With papers this simple, my theme will come together in step 3!
Three, embellish! Like the decorations on your tree or the decor items on those built-ins, your gifts need a little something to make them shine. If you are team kids with bold bright papers, bring it all together by choosing one color for your ribbon. The fun paper is the star here so complete it with a cute gift tag tied right into your bow to add that extra layer. If traditional is your goal, a classic satin ribbon in red, green or something that coordinates with your interior decor (navy blue?,coastal friends!) always works. Add a small christmas ornament, jingle bell or pop of christmas greens to a few special packages to bring your look home. For the other monochromatic, nature lovers out there, think jute twine with wood tags or wire brush trees (you can buy in bulk on Amazon), to bring the outdoors in. This year I am elevating my nature theme with a vintage brown velvet ribbon that reminds me of hot cocoa and teddy bear fur for some added warmth.
Keep it simple, less is always more in my book. Coordinate your papers like you are choosing throw pillows and stick with a color palette and theme!
PRO TIPS -
For that professionally wrapped, no seam look use double sided tape.
A hot glue gun allows you to add embellishments simply.
Got snoopers? Pick one paper per child and skip the tags, drives them crazy every time!
