Cute Gift Wrap and Ribbon Tying Bow Ideas

Make gift bags more interesting with add-ons like trinkets or personalized tags.

Breathe new life into boring gift wrap with stamped craft paper, origami bows and fun accessories like jingle bells or costume jewelry. Create wrapping paper from recycled tablecloths, make patchwork paper from the ends of several rolls of gift wrap, or use remnant fabrics to make funky and original gift bags. Pair plain gift wrap with inventive and complex bows or use simple ribbons to adorn vibrant or multi-textured wrap.

Gift Wrap

Make gift wrap from recycled sweaters, tablecloths, scarves or leftover remnants of fabric from craft projects. Stitch pieces together for a patchwork-style wrap in a more primitive style, or tie-dye old sheets and tablecloths to recycle and repurpose them for use as wrap for children's gifts. Embellish fabrics by layering or making appliques and use squares of fabric to make patches that double as gift tags.

A vintage purse or wallet is an inventive way to wrap a gift card or small gifts such as makeup and jewelry. To use paper instead of fabric, consider wallpaper remnants or patterned and painted craft paper. Paper doilies layered over plain craft paper makes a vintage appeal.

Ribbon

Cord, yarn, raffia, shoelaces and rickrack are all creative alternatives to traditional curling ribbon and can be tailored to both the gift and recipient. Braid cord together to make a bolo-style accessory, or mix raffia with seaweed and daisy chains for a natural and organic gift. Novelty shoelaces add whimsy to any type of gift and are available in a variety of designs, colors and materials. Use simple yarn for a primitive effect or make a chain of single-crochet stitches to embellish the package. Mix yarn and cord or cord and raffia for a uniquely multi-textured accent to any type of gift.

Bows

Make gift wrap bows from raffia, cord, yarn, hair scarves, neckties, shoelaces, leaves, flowers, buttons, origami or a host of other materials. Make dozens of bows in the same style and design for a signature look across all of the gifts you give for a season, or customize each bow to match the gift wrap or recipient. Mix materials like leaves and buttons to create a holiday-style holly bunch of real leaves and red buttons, or use silk petals and adhesive crystals for a flowery bow. Felt bows accented with tassels add texture to gift wrap, while bows made of fresh flower blossoms and leaves add delicate flair.

Add-ons

Add another layer to your present by tying a bauble to the gift wrap. For children a small toy, a puppet or a piece of costume jewelry make the wrapping almost as interesting to boys and girls as the gift inside. Bells or ornaments on Christmas presents connect the gifts to the overall decor of the season and live on as additions to Christmas trees or mantelpieces. Candy or cookies affixed to gifts add a touch of warmth, while finer jewelry attached to gifts for spouses or partners makes the present even more special. For birthdays and anniversaries a small photo frame key ring personalizes the gift.

References

• Mighty Girl: Ten Ideas for Pretty Alternative Wrapping
• Good Housekeeping: Seven Giftwrapping Tips and Tricks
• Pioneer Thinking: Twenty-Five Festive Christmas Gift Wrap Ideas

Resources

• Real Simple: Creative Wrapping Ideas
• Homemade Gifts Made Easy: Gift Wrapping Techniques