Crafty, Creative Gift Wrapping Ideas Worthy of the Present

If you're looking for creative gift-wrapping ideas, you already know this: when it comes to gift-giving, the outside is oftentimes just as important as the inside. No matter what the occasion . . . a uniquely (or cleverly) wrapped gift makes a statement that you're offering more that just an object . . . you're showing you really care by taking the time to make it extra special.

Pssst . . . creative gift-wrap doesn't have to take a whole lot of time. All you'll need are some basics and you'll be able to transform dozens of plain presents into amazing "PRESENTations."

Creative Gift Wrapping Starts With the Right Tools & Supplies

There's certainly nothing wrong with using purchased wrapping paper, square boxes and pre-made bows especially if you're in a hurry. However, if you want to go that extra step, you'll need the right tools and supplies. [Note: You won't necessarily need everything on the following list right away . . . you can collect and grow your supplies over time.]

Papers

• You can collect or buy an assortment of papers: gift wrap in a range of colors and finishes (including white and colored tissue paper), construction paper, brown or white craft paper, crepe paper, corrugated paper, Shredded paper in vibrant colors, cellophanes, etc.

Fabrics

• That's right, you can use fabric for gift wrapping! Great choices are printed cottons, muslin, felts, silk, taffeta, velour, velvet or velveteen and one of my personal favorites . . . tulle (an ultra-fine netting). If there's a seamstress (or seamster) in the house, you will probably already have extra pieces of fabric laying around.

Cut-Ups

• Your top cutting utensils will be scissors: straight-edged and decorative-edged along with a pair of small pointy scissors. Also have on-hand, hole punches and a utility knife.

Sticky Stuff

• Clear cellophane tapes, double-sided tape, painter's tape and regular masking tape; white glue, glue dots and don't forget glitter glue.

Tie-Ons

• There is such a wide array of ribbons and ties you can buy. Good choices are: fabric ribbon, curling ribbon, wire-edged ribbon, raffia, twisted paper ribbon, pre-tied bows, yarns, decorative string.

Other Finishers

• A couple of other decorative items your may want to have on-hand: poster paint, specialty acrylic paint and several size paintbrushes; stickers; confetti; pom-poms; silk or dried flowers, leaves and foliage; flat-backed rhinestones and sequins; stamps and stencils.

Creative Gift Wrapping Ideas . . . In Other Containers

No doubt about it . . . store-bought square or rectangular cardboard gift boxes are certainly an option for housing your gift. But don't get boxed into thinking that's your only choice . . . there are other terrific ways to conceal a present. The best part is that most of these can be re-used or re-purposed.

Decorative Tins

• Traditionally used for sweet treats, nuts and the like, tins make wonderful gift packaging for other kinds of gifts. You can buy shiny new ones or check out the local antique or thrift store for authentic historic tins.

Hat Boxes

• Hatboxes are often round or octagonal and are covered in decorative paper (or fabric) and have a corded carrying handle. You can look for them in craft stores, thrift shops or even garage sales. And with little effort, you can turn these into very handsome containers for your gifts.

Wooden Cheese Boxes, Cigar Boxes, Fruit Crates

• These can range from finished and polished pieces to more rustic versions. Hint: keep it simple and tie with raffia, twine or grosgrain ribbon for a very natural look.

Mailing Tubes

• You can purchase mailing tubes in varying diameters, then cut to the length you need and decorate to your heart's content. The possibilities are endless as to what you can hide in these . . . from a watch to a piece of clothing (rolled up) to a bottle of vino.

Going Against the Color Flow

Don't be afraid to veer away from colors normally associated with a holiday or occasion.

Shake things up a bit by using non-traditional colors and/or patterns. In other words, you don't have to stick with red and green, just because it Christmas. Instead, you can choose fabrics and papers in rich vibrant hues like fuschia, aubergine (eggplant), turquoise, copper, midnight blue or glimmering persimmon.

Who says that a baby shower gift has to be pale pink or blue? Why not bright greens, vivid yellows or shocking blues? Better yet . . . a gray & white patterned paper with a big purple bow can make a simple but stunning presentation.

Let the Gift Inspire the Packaging

The approach to gift wrapping is quite often inspired by the theme of the season (e.g., holidays) or the occasion (e.g., birthday, anniversary, graduation).

Why not consider letting the kind of gift (and the interests of the recipient) inspire the packaging so that it becomes a part of the present. Here are a couple of examples:

• A Book-Lover: You can wrap a special book in a fabric bookcover and incorporate a bookmark or booklight in the bow.
• A Cook: Try wrapping a cook's gift in dish towels and bind with twine or raffia . . . tying in a set of measuring spoons or cookie cutters. Or, tuck a gift certificate surrounded by colorful paper shred into a beautiful glass canister, tying a ribbon around the top.