Give your presents a little extra sparkle this year with these clever Christmas wrapping ideas. We've scoured the web to bring you the brightest and most beautiful ways to present your presents - and they're all quick, cheap and easy to make.
Whether you go for mini wreaths, lolly stick snowmen or glittery ribbons galore, these special styles are totally worth the extra effort - with a little creativity, they'll look so much more magical sat under the tree!
1. Initials
How it's done: This is a really simple idea with a lovely effect. Use large initials of everyone's names to decorate their presents with. If you don't want to buy block letters specially, you could just make them out of cardboard and paint them gold. Find out how to do it in more detail on this blog: Top Inspired
1. Mini wreaths
How it's done: Cut a small wreath shape from brown or green card and stick small clippings of pine onto it to make a mini wreath. Attach with twine for a rustic look. Find out how to do it in more detail on this blog: Odessa May Society
2. Contrasting ribbons
How it's done: This cool contrasting wrapping is made with plain base paper and colourful ribbon, tied in a criss-cross fashion across your parcel. If you're not the craftiest of people, you can use thin coloured tape to get a similar effect without most of the work! Find out how to do it in more detail on this blog: Chez Larsson
3. Garlands
How it's done: These adorable mittens are simply cut from a different wrapping paper and threaded onto a twine loop. You could use this idea for any shape you like; how about mini bunting, stars or even Santa hats? Find out how to do it in more detail on this blog: Steph Modo
4. Bright baubles
How it's done: Adding beads and string to little bauble cut-outs gives them a perfect 3D finish. Use pretty scraps of wrapping paper that might otherwise get thrown away. Find out how to do it in more detail on this blog: Fellow Fellow
5. Shiny stars
How it's done: Decorate neutral gift tags and use them on plain paper to make your gifts stand out under the tree. We love how this blogger has threaded little star beads onto twine to attach her tag, giving it the luxury look for less. Find out how to do it in more detail on this blog: Paper Some
6. Word search paper
How it's done: How cool is this idea? Print plain paper with a word search (the template for which you can find here) and circle, in red pen, either festive words like Santa, or the recipient's name so that there's no need for a tag. Find out how to do it in more detail on this blog: Crafty Steals
7. Pretty pastels
How it's done: Why not try something a bit different from the usual green and red? This pretty packaging is made by using a selection of contrasting ribbon, thread and paper and finishing off with a big initial. You can make the initials easily by cutting them from either glittery paper (or use plain paper and then decorate with glitter yourself). Find out how to do it in more detail on this blog: The House that Lars Built
8. Traditional trimmings
How it's done: Using pinecones, greenery and tartan ribbons will give your gifts an old-school feel. We love this double bow, which is made by weaving the ribbon back and forth through your fingers and securing in the middle. Find out how to do it in more detail on this blog: Carolyn Eroehm
9. Homemade stamps
How it's done: Did you know the rubber-end of a pencil could be so useful? Carefully trim a heart shape into it, before dunking into paint and decorating your paper with little love hearts. You can also use the end, without any shaping, to make pretty polka dots. Find out how to do it in more detail on this blog: Brit.co
10. Doily delights
How it's done: You might have thought you'd never find a good use for those old doilies that have been hanging around since the last big family party - but now you have! Cut them up and use the pretty lace-like edges to make shabby-chic style wrapping. We love how this blogger has stuck two strips of doily edges together to make a wide ribbon. Find out how to do it in more detail on this blog: Crafts Unleashed
11. Finger fairy lights
How it's done: This is one to do with the little ones - grab some plain wrapping paper, draw a curly line all over it and get them to finger paint the lights in all different colours. Adorable and thrifty! Find out how to do it in more detail on this blog: Burlap and Blue
12. Good enough to eat
How it's done: Wrapping a gift with a gift is our new favourite thing. Imagine how happy your kids would be to recieve this on Christmas morning - a brightly-coloured lollipop instantly makes simple wrapping into something fun. Find out how to do it in more detail on this blog: Kotipalapeli
13. Rudolph the red nose wrapping
How it's done: If you've got an old stamp set lying around, don't let it go to waste. Use a combination of the stamp and pom poms to make a fun and quirky wrapping paper. If you don't have a reindeer stamp then you could do this with anything really, what about a Santa hat, a star with a pom pom middle or a big Christmas tree covered in pom pom lights? Find out how to do it in more detail on this blog: Bambino Goodies
14. Loo roll recycling
How it's done: You wouldn't guess these pretty packages were made from loo roll tubes! All you have to do is fold down the edges and decorate with strips of brightly coloured paper and ribbons - perfect for all those little stocking fillers that are always so fiddly to wrap. Find out how to do it in more detail on this blog: Decoracion2
15. Cute as a button
How it's done: If you're anything like us then you'll have a big old button tin that never seems to stop growning, so put it to good use with this nifty idea. Glue on top of ribbon or string to decorate your parcel. The addition of paper stars on this one gives it a festive edge. Find out how to do it in more detail on this blog: Pink Frilly
16. Starry eyed surprises
How it's done: Wool makes a great (and cheaper!) alternative to ribbon. Wind a few loops around your present to make it look luxurious and decorate with magical little fairy wands, made using a cocktail stick and a paper star. Find out how to do it in more detail on this blog: Pink Frilly
17. Stamp
How it's done: If you don't have a stamp that's quite as good as this then you can use your old friend the doily again. Simply paint sparingly with metallic paint and press onto plain packaging. There's no need to waste the doily either - let it dry and use it as a wrap for another present. Find out how to do it in more detail on this blog: Sjarmerende Jul
18. Flutter hearts
How it's done: Despite looking a bit tricky, this romantic wrapping is actually really easy! Draw little hearts on the reverse of your paper and cut out halves using a stanley knife. Push through so that they stand up on the right side and fix pretty paper behind the holes. Find out how to do it in more detail on this blog: Homedit
19. Seal of approval
How it's done: Go old fashioned with a wax seal. Wrap your presents up in plain paper and parcel string and secure with a few drips of festively coloured wax. If you've got a stamp you could press a nice shape into it too. Find out how to do it in more detail on this blog: Liebesbotschaft
20. Snowman stick
How it's done: These smiley snowmen are a great one to make with the kids - simply paint lolly sticks white and draw on the details once it's dry. Add a coloured paper scarf and you're ready to gift! Find out how to do it in more detail on this blog: Sewing Barefoot
21. Bauble bunting
How it's done: Use a base of brown paper (the stars are added with Sharpie!), then cut bauble shapes from scraps of coloured paper and thread through some cotton string. Super simple, but super effective. Find out how to do it in more detail on this blog: Dominican Cooking
22. Rustic ruffles
How it's done: Some strips of tissue paper and a little imagination are all you need to make these vintage-style ruffles - this clever blogger used an old sewing pattern and tied them with twine for a neat finish. Find out how to do it in more detail on this blog: Cosmo Cricket
23. From the hands of the elves
How it's done: Who knew a swirl of string could be so effective? Work from the outside in and use a cloth-covered button or badge in the centre. The stamp at the top adds to the whimsical festive feel. Find out how to do it in more detail on this blog: Cosmo Cricket
24. Fancy feathers
How it's done: These would be great for a budding writer or keen reader - the book print effect gives the brown paper underneath much more interest. Tie with a thick green ribbon to complete the Christmas colour scheme. Find out how to do it in more detail on this blog: Lia Griffith
25. Print your name
How it's done: No more need for gift tags - this simple style pairs simple brown paper with stencilled letters from recycled books, which can be brought cheaply from charity shops. Beautiful gifts and supporting a good cause? Santa would be proud! Find out how to do it in more detail on this blog: Man Made DIY
26. Ribbon weave
How it's done: Layer parcel paper with shimmery tulle, then create a basket weave using strips of champagne coloured curling ribbon. We love this offset look, but you could position the ribbon wherever you wish on the package. Find out how to do it in more detail on this blog: The Sweetest Occasion
27. Clay candy cane
How it's done: Not the quickest of processes, but truly impressive when it's done, this 'Joy' motif is made with coloured clay that is twisted, rolled, and then glazed to give that glossy sheen. Once removed from the gift, it can be used as an ornament - a bonus present to be enjoyed every season. Find out how to do it in more detail on this blog: Lines Across
