Hooray! The 1st of December has been and gone, and Christmas trees around the country are decked out in bay windows and entranceways awaiting a pile of deliciously wrapped gifts to grace their base (why does this sound dirtier than intended…) as the countdown to the big day itself officially begins. And although the trickier “What on earth can I buy for meat-and-two-veg Uncle Steve” might have been resolved post-Black Friday sales, the next age-old question of how to wrap said goodies may yet to be decided. Channelling Kirstie Allsopp à-la Handmade Christmas is the aim, but more often than not, nailing the perfect wrapping technique and theme without breaking the bank or contributing to more waste than necessary at Christmas is a trickier feat than expected.
Pinterest searches for gift-wrapping techniques rose by 2.4 times during the past year, meaning the stakes are higher than ever for a wrapping style that both wows and complements the festive decor of your home too. If you’re stumped for inspiration ahead of wrapping the gifts for your nearest and dearest this season, look no further than our three favourite wrapping styles good enough to give Love Actually’s Rowan Atkinson a run for his money…
Floral and Botanical
Whether you’re a die-hard Christmas lover who wants something a little different this year, or instead are looking ahead to the ever-gorgeous season of Spring, a floral wrapping theme is one sure to spark a reaction this Christmas Day. Beautifully feminine and bold in its colour scheme, this wrapping style is serving Kew Gardens, Japanese Cherry Blossom and a
Cottagecore greenhouse all blended up, sounds divine right?! One for the maximalists amongst us, the theme’s colour palette includes every shade of pink that’s right in the world, greens ranging from forest to sage, warmth from oranges and yellows and darker accents of navy to balance this feast for the eyes too. To really embody this theme to its fullest, head to your local florist or supermarket ahead of the big day and add real floral clippings (we love chrysanthemums for how affordable yet striking they are) which combined with paper and ribbon elements helps to elevate this theme to a whole new level.
Although bold and beautiful wrapping paper is doing a truly magnificent job of creating an under the tree scene mother nature herself would only be too proud to show off, maximalist wrapping means more is more when it comes to adding finishing touches including bows, stickers, sweet treats and gift tags too. Ribbons can be reused and recycled year upon year, making them the perfect way to add a sustainable but statement element to your gift wrap this season that doesn’t scrimp on the wow factor.
Whether your home is a nature haven during Christmas and beyond, or you’re simply looking to channel this botanical theme in your gift-giving this year, your gifts are guaranteed to stand out amongst the rest with this ultra-feminine and indulgent style.
Retro & Novelty
Sometimes it’s hard to top the classics, and the retro-themed wrapping style is no exception to the rule! Serving Christmas classic realness, this theme is all about bringing the conventional Christmas colours and prints to life with a novelty twist, adding a certain je ne sais quoi to traditional striped or holly printed paper that may be already in your collection, and adding a new lease of life for Christmas 2021. Once more this theme is all about maximising the wow factor additional accessories and details can bring to a gift, this time in the form of ribbons, pom-poms and bells, making it perfect for both the young and old of your family and truly offering something everyone will be eyeing up under the Christmas tree. Traditional Christmas colours look right at home here, with reds, greens, whites and golds making a strong case for the classic Christmas aesthetic that really never gets old. If it ain’t broke, why fix it!
When it comes to channelling the ultimate in novelty fun as part of this wrapping style, offering something new and unusual is the aim, which is why including vintage scarves or fabric wraps as part of your under the tree style is an addition not to miss this festive season. Not only is this method of wrapping one that makes awkward shapes suddenly a breeze to conceal, it’s also a must within the zero waste movement that aims to lessen your environmental footprint during the season of indulgence – something it’s important we’re all conscious of in the case of throw-away items such as wrapping paper. Known as Furoshiki, these traditional Japanese square cloths were designed both as a way to wrap and transport goods, and have been used for centuries as part of this culture before their resurgence as an environmentally positive way to wrap gifts in modern life. Now all of a sudden classic gift bags seem a little dull in comparison…
Finish your gifts with a traditional striped candy cane and voila- you’ve completed your take on novelty Christmas!
A Scandinavian Dream
Neutral and minimal lovers rejoice, we haven’t forgotten about you! If brown parcel paper and a ‘less is more’ approach to Christmas is more your bag then the Nordic simplicity we know and love in the world of interiors can be translated into your world of wrapping too. The beautiful natural landscapes, snowy climates and forest flora that is so synonymous with the gorgeous Scandinavian world is one of the simplest aesthetics to recreate within your home in 2021, starting with the classic parcel paper base that can be accessorised or left to shine in its simplest form underneath the tree. Nordic style is a true celebration of the simplicity of a beautifully soft colour palette that’s sure to add an element of calm amongst the Christmas frenzy in your home, as well as bringing the outdoors in with nods to nature that are still all too welcome after the cooped up Christmas that we saw in 2020.
For your own take on Scandinavian style, consider grabbing some white paint and detail brushes from your local art store and add your own leaf, holly or abstract design onto plain brown paper for an individual look guaranteed to set your gifts apart from the rest. Evergreen clippings, string, bells, dried fruits and eucalyptus are must-haves when it comes to accessorizing your gifts, and all an affordable means to create a wrapping aesthetic that looks effortlessly chic without breaking the bank. Finish with a handwritten tag and this year’s Christmas aesthetic of dreams is all wrapped up!
Wrapping 101- It’s all in the details
Now you’ve decided on your dream wrapping style for the season of giving, here are the need to know tips to ensure your gifts look truly seamless:
- Sharp scissors for the win- not only is gliding through your paper of choice a sensory joy, it also makes for the cleanest looking lines, adding the perfect finish to your gifts.
- For the items with tricky corners, or shapes that simply don’t want to play ball, crepe paper is the most forgiving of them all if you’re short on time, patience, or both.
- Ran out of wrapping paper last min? We got you. Grab an old glossy magazine that’s likely collecting dust in the corner and select a patterned, colourful page to wrap small gifts or create homemade bows. Sustainable and unique- tick!
- If you’re low on tape, or once more looking for planet-friendly brownie points, head to @beeandblooms TikTok account for this mesmerizing no tape wrapping hack. Mind. Blown.
