After weeks of searching you have finally found the perfect present for that upcoming birthday or wedding. All that’s missing now is packaging that will impress and be remembered.
Why the wrapping is so important, should be obvious: It’s the very first thing that the recipient sees!
So we have compiled a list of 10 pretty, original and sustainable gift wrapping ideas that will get your creative juices flowing.
There is something for every taste, from elegant to quirky.
Grab your scissors, some ribbon and tape and let’s get wrapping!
1. Gifts for Men with a Difference
This gift wrap is perfect for bringing a smile to the faces of the men in your life. Because you know what it’s like: You have lots of ideas but most of them are just too playful or feminine for dad, grandpa or your partner.
All you need for this creative shirt packaging is a bit of gift wrapping paper and 3 buttons for the front. A hang tag is the perfect addition. You would normally find a hang tag on a shirt, displaying the price or size. Instead you could add a picture of yourself with dad, grandpa or your partner, or a loving message.
Watch this video to find out how to do this pretty packaging:
2. Sweet Oven Boxes for your Treats
Muffins and other tasty treats are a pleasure to give and receive. Share your baking talent with those you love! We have a super cute idea for wrapping muffins, cupcakes and so on: Simply make a small oven-shaped box and seal it with a Wunderlabel sticker or Wunderlabel ribbon. Personalize the stickers and ribbon with a little message like “Enjoy!” or “Happy Birthday!”. How unique is that?
You can download and print the template for the box down below. Glue the template on a piece of cardstock or print it directly onto cardstock. Then cut the template out and glue the red flap to the red edge, paint the box with hotplates, knobs etc., and then fold it together. Now all that’s left to do is to fill your box and seal it with a Wunderlabel sticker.
3. Crocheted Gift Bag
A crocheted sleeve not only gives your present an interesting look, it is also strong and robust. Experiment with different colors and patterns, and tailor the crocheted wrap to the recipient. Tunisian crochet is just one example of the many great effects you can opt for.
To match the sleeve to your high quality present, simply attach an elegant leather label. Design your labels online with a text of your choice, for example “Made with Love”.
And even better, once the gift has been unwrapped the cover can be used as a pouch for your glasses or mobile phone. It is basically two gifts in one and truly sustainable and reusable packaging!
Here is how it’s done: Crochet a large square that will be folded and sewn together on two sides. Leave an opening at the top. You can attach a snap fastener or you can pull a cord through the top to close the pouch. This project is ideal for beginners.
4. Say it with Flowers
Kraft paper can also look beautiful! All you need for this pretty and natural look is some packaging string, a fineliner and a few daisies from the garden.
This wrapping is so easy and guaranteed to bring a smile to the recipient’s face.
To round it all off, add a personalized Wunderlabel sticker with a text like “Happy Birthday”. Our stickers can be designed with a text & symbol of your choice, or even with your own artwork.
Find out how to design the perfect stickers for you in this blogpost.
5. Pillow Box
This cute little box is called a pillow box and is perfect for small gifts like jewelry, sweets, vouchers or money. Its special shape gives your gift a stylish look, which can be rounded off with a matching hang tag with a little message.
Tip: These boxes can be made in any size and are therefore suitable for any purpose and occasion. They are especially nice for little thank you gifts, for example at christenings.
Check out our blog for easy instructions on how to make these boxes and what materials you will need.
6. Furoshiki
Wrapping paper is not exactly environmentally friendly, as it usually ends up in the garbage right after unpacking. In Japan, on the other hand, it has long been a tradition to wrap gifts in fabric. This art is called Furoshiki: The wrapping can either be a part of the gift, like a handmade scarf, or it can be a beautiful piece of fabric that the recipient will be able to reuse. Birthday and wedding presents don’t always get unwrapped right away. To help the recipients identify which present is from whom after the event, use an iron-on label with your name and a congratulatory message. The great thing about iron-on labels is that they are quick and easy to apply!
This is how it’s done:
Spread the piece of fabric on a table and place your present in the middle. First fold one corner over the present, then the opposite corner. Pull the remaining two corners up over the present and tie a knot. You can also use personalized ribbon to tie up your present and impart a sweet message at the same time.
7. Fabric Gift Bag
It is customary to bring a bottle of wine to a dinner or birthday. We often carry these in colourful paper bottle bags, which can be found everywhere, but unfortunately are not very sustainable: These bags often end up in the bin after the party, at best they are used one more time before they fall apart completely.
Some time ago Wunderlabel posted a tutorial showing you how to sew an easy fabric gift bag which can be reused over and over again. Think about this: This bag will be re-gifted by the recipient, and will go on a fun little journey before maybe even ending up back where it started. Why not attach your own woven label with the text "Pass on to a friend" or "I am sustainable"? Grab some fabric and start sewing your own carrier bag for wine bottles right away!
8. Cardboard Embroidery
Everyone has cardboard boxes lying around at home. But because they are not that attractive we usually end up buying pretty gift boxes or bags to package small items. Here is an environmentally friendly idea that will save you money by reusing those cardboard boxes: Grab some embroidery thread and embroider old boxes with a lovely bouquet of flowers. Tie some Wunderlabel ribbon around the box and your beautiful, sustainable and truly unique gift wrapping is complete!
9. Crochet Gift Baskets
Crocheted baskets are very versatile: the recipient can later use the basket as storage for toiletries, guest towels or for cuddly toys in the children's room. What presents can you use them for? Whether it's a care package for an upcoming exam or an Advent calendar or even home-made delicacies, every little gift will look great in this basket.
Here's how it's done: Crochet a basket of thick cotton with half double stitches so that the basket becomes stable. You can also strengthen the bottom of the basket with some cardboard to make the gift stand up better. A woven label with text and a symbol with a nice message or the name of the recipient is obviously a must!
10. Parcel Style Gift Wrap
A surprise package in the mailbox always brings a smile to one's face: it makes a nice change from bills and bank statements. That's why we thought that wrapping your gifts like a parcel would be a great idea.
All you need is some Kraft wrapping paper and packaging string. Stick self-printed or drawn motifs such as "Handle with care" and stamps on your parcel. And don't forget your Wunderlabel sticker! We chose a cute sticker with the message "Express delivery just for you" to match the parcel theme.
Which is your favorite gift wrap? With so many different ideas it’s hard to decide, isn’t it? So why not try all of them?
In the following video you can find a collection of useful tips & tricks about gift wrapping:
