Christmas wrapping ideas to elevate your gift-giving game

From Ralph Lauren’s Christmas aesthetic to the understated elegance of furoshiki, the holidays are a study in thoughtful design.

You should never judge a book by its cover, but admit it—you do it with Christmas presents. A gift that looks like it was wrapped, folded, and taped at the last minute or worse, placed inside a paper bag of a different brand, can seemingly diminish it.

Gift-wrapping is as important as the gift itself. The right paper and trimmings can make a 500-peso gift feel like it costs P5,000, and help yours be picked first during a White Elephant gift exchange. A sloppy wrapping, on the other hand, can lower one’s expectations and the anticipation of receiving the gift.

And, more than anything, the effort, thoughtfulness, and personalization you put into your wrapping can reveal how much you care and value the receiver. Below, we’ve listed gift wrapping ideas to make any present look more luxurious, adding to the merry holiday experience they’ll remember forever.

Ralph Lauren Christmas aesthetic

You’ve probably seen the “Ralph Lauren Christmas” aesthetic making rounds on TikTok and it’s not without a reason. The look is a celebration of refined holiday elegance, high-end lodge style warmth, and cozy nostalgia. Think Christmas trees draped in plaid ribbons, velvet bows, brass ornaments, and the brand’s iconic Polo Bear beside the fireplace of an elegant country estate.

While this “old money” aesthetic is commonly used in homes, it’s something you can channel into your gifts, too, for a luxurious, catalog-style vibe. You can achieve this by opting for wrappers with nostalgic plaid or houndstooth print. Focus on rich colors like deep reds and forest greens, blended with decadent velvet ribbons. Then, finish each present with a teddy bear ornament that they will surely adore and hang on the tree.

The art of pleats

Pleats can instantly turn an ordinary box into a work of art by adding a sophisticated texture and dimension to the packaging. The handmade folds and sharp lines bring a high-end and polished feel to the present without fussy embellishment. To do this, simply cut your wrapper slightly longer than the size suited for your box. Then, begin folding narrow bands back and forth into even accordion pleats. Make sure to fix the spacing and put a tape on the underside to hold the spread. Lastly, wrap your present as usual, positioning the pleats on the gift’s front face.

Subtle sophistication with tissue paper

Tissue paper, in various colors and prints, is an excellent option for creating elegant gift wrapping. Its delicate texture, layering potential, and subtle reveal create a sense of luxury, care, and anticipation, transforming a simple gift into something precious. When using it for your gift, stack two or three sheets together to strengthen the cover, and the color stays saturated. And because you can’t completely disguise your present with tissue paper, just make sure, though, that you’re fine with the recipient knowing what is waiting for them. For sure, they’ll still be excited to receive it, especially with a presentation as elegant as this!

Eco-friendly elegance with furoshiki

If there’s one season when we must all be conscious of our waste, that would be the holidays. It may be merry and bright, but this is also when excessive packaging, single-use decorations, discarded wrapping paper, and surplus food from feasts go to waste all at the same time. If you want to practice a conscious, sustainable and zero-waste Christmas, one way to do it is by wrapping your gifts the Japanese way, aka Furoshiki.

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Furoshiki uses a single square cloth to wrap and carry items, from gifts and bento boxes to bottles, functioning as a reusable, stylish, and eco-friendly alternative to paper, bags, and boxes. Scarves, fancy silks, fuzzy cottons or flannels in holiday colors make for a spectacularly simple and clever gift wrapping material. It can even be part of the gift or reused for wrapping later!

To start, place your box or present at the center of the cloth, with the corners facing the fabric’s edges. Tie opposite corners firmly, then tie the remaining corners over the first knot. Finish off with a velvet ribbon will keep fabric wrappings in place.

Rustic elegance of kraft paper

Kraft paper bridges the gap between casual and high-end, providing a warm, welcoming, yet polished feel that works for many occasions, especially Christmas. It elevates any gift with its clean, uncluttered look that is inherently chic and modern. For a rustic yet elegant look, wrap your gift in brown paper and use a red twine to hold it in place. Then, tuck something fun and lovely in it, like wax flowers or pine leaves, to decorate your DIY Christmas package.

Holiday offerings and festive spots to check out around Metro Manila