5 Christmas Wrapping Ideas To Level Up Your Gifts This Year

Sep 17, 2025by Jasmine Savery

Looking to add that extra special touch to your gifts this year? In this blog, we will go through our top tips on how to level up your wrapping game this Christmas, from the basics to the advanced embellishments.

So, how do you level up your Christmas wrapping?

Consider adding cohesion to your gifts with a colour scheme, or perhaps DIY your own Christmas gift tags to add on top. We’ve highlighted some more of our favourite tips and tricks below to help you out:

Colour co-ordination
Bows and decorations
Review your basics
Gift baskets
Budget-friendly DIYs

Read on to ensure your gifts show your loved ones how much they mean to you, through the art of gift wrapping.

1. Colour Co-Ordinated Christmas Gift Wrapping Ideas

Traditional - Red, Gold and Cream

For some people, tradition around Christmas time is what creates that nostalgic atmosphere, making the holiday so magical. The image of beautifully wrapped red boxes under the tree is pretty special. If you think so too, give this colour scheme a go.

Natural - Greens and Browns

Lean into the raw, earthy tones that can be seen in classic decorations, such as Christmas wreaths, garlands, and trees. This colour scheme can be even more effective if seasonal embellishments are added, like pinecones and cinnamon sticks.

Whimsical - Light and Bright

Keep the magic alive with a pretty and light theme. Inspiration could be taken from the sugar plum fairies, The Snowman, or gingerbread houses, for example. This is a great idea for those wrapping children’s gifts, to keep things fun and exciting.

Icey - Bright Blues and Whites

Get that wintery feeling with frosty wrapping. Glitter and textured wrapping papers work really well here to convey aspects such as snow or ice. Consider adding touches of silver as well, with ribbons or bells, or even adding some fake snow for that final touch.

2. Bows and Decorations For Christmas Gifts

This is where you can really see your gifts come to life. Get creative and have fun with this one, as often, more is more!

Traditional Themes

Whether you’ve used a mixture of red wrapping papers or have just gone with brown parchment, try adding the following elements to bring your gifts to their true potential:

A big red ribbon
Gold bells
Fake red berries
A cream Christmas gift tag

Earthy Tones

Really lean into that forest vibe with natural decorations like the following:

Pinecones and pine needles
Cinnamon sticks
Acorn sprigs
Dried flowers
String in place of ribbon

Ornaments

Christmas is full of charm, so why not add some to your gifts? Small Christmas tree ornaments, wooden glittered stars, or wicker angels can all be added to your gifts to really enhance your recipients' experience.

3. Review Your Basics

You can have all the decorations in the world, but if your base isn’t neat, then your whole gift can look like a mess. Read on for some top tips to ensure you have a perfect base:

How To Wrap A Christmas Gift

Let's start right at the beginning. Unless someone teaches you, wrapping a gift can be pure guesswork. Follow these steps below to help…

Sort Your Seams

Ditch the eyesore of exposed Sellotape and hide seams by following these steps.

How to wrap a Christmas gift, neatly:

Where your edges meet around your gift, fold them inwards to eliminate the raw edges
Use double-sided tape to secure the seams underneath
Repeat on all sides

Implement Uniformity

Utilise cardboard boxes, perhaps from the gift’s original delivery/storage, to create an easier shape to wrap. This also ensures all of your gifts are a similar shape, giving them some cohesion.

It doesn’t have to be cardboard! Wooden Christmas gift boxes, such as those from Northern Willow, can add a touch of luxury and a pop of contrast to the rest of your gifts.

4. Gift Baskets

Christmas gift wrapping doesn’t just have to use wrapping paper; gift baskets can be used to make luxurious hampers and elevate your gifts even further.

Browse our wide range of wicker hamper baskets and other accessories to help you create your hamper, such as:

Read our helpful blog on how to make a gift basket for more Christmas gift wrapping ideas!

5. DIYs On A Budget

Christmas can be such an expensive time these days, especially with the cost-of-living crisis continuing to rise. Many budget-friendly hacks can still look luxurious and whimsical, a few of which we have listed below.

Alternatives for Wrapping Paper

What’s the point in buying metres of wrapping paper, for it all to go in the bin at the end of the day? Find some budget-friendly alternatives below:

Old sheet music - tape together that “intro to piano” book from when you were 5 to create larger sheets. Bonus points if they’re Christmas songs!
Newspapers - Use your grandad’s old paper, or buy one for around 1 pound from the local shop.
Quilting - Tape together old wrapping paper to create an eclectic quilt for your Christmas gifts. Try to stick to similar colours/patterns if you can!
Handmade - Want to add that unique factor to your gifts, and have a free afternoon? Draw Christmas designs on blank paper, combine these sheets together, and create your own custom wrapping paper. Get the whole family involved to make some memories, and maybe even start a tradition?

Decoration Hacks

Decorations don't have to cost an arm and a leg every year. In this section, discover some ideas on how to create beautiful decorations from things you can find/already own.

Recycle - Try only buying 1-2 decorative pieces per year, for example, and reuse them each year as your collection grows. These could include reusing ribbons, bells, or charms.
DIY - Things like Christmas gift tags can cost insane amounts these days, DIY these with coloured card, using pens, paints and glitter for decoration. Use a hole punch and finish the tag with a loop of string/ribbon.
Forage - There are many things available for us to use in nature, as long as we return them afterwards. Go on a Winter walk and collect pine cones, acorns, pine needles, and even flowers that can be dried and used to decorate gifts.

Need some more Christmas inspiration? Read our Winter blogs below to really get in the spirit:

Contact Northern Willow today to prepare for the Christmas rush. Browse our beautiful, hand-made wicker baskets and creations to add that touch of magic to your Christmas morning.