It’s time in the Old Bohemian Christmas Plan to wrap Christmas gifts! Have you ever been up way past bedtime on Christmas Eve with gifts still to wrap? If you have little ones bent on waking the household early the next day, you know the bleary-eyed strain of pulling yourself together Christmas morning. I usually find it hard to go back to sleep once I’m up and spend Christmas Day in a sleep-deprived trance.  Avoid a last-minute marathon and actually enjoy creating beautifully-wrapped gifts for those you love by doing this Christmas task ahead of time. For best results, put on a fun Christmas movie and sip a candy cane steamer while you work.

If you’re new or worried about being behind…

If you are just starting or a little behind on the plan, the Christmas catch-up plan has you covered. 

Peace on earth begins at home.

The Old Bohemian Homestead Christmas Plan

Wrap Christmas Gifts With Love and Care

Have you ever received a Christmas present wrapped so exquisitely it seemed like a work of art? I’m willing to bet you cherished that present because of how special it made you feel. Giving a gift is as much about the outside as it is about the inside.

You might admire the  artistry of those who can make a gift look like a work of art. Maybe you felt a little intimidated, too. Here’s the good news: make your best effort and love will do the rest. 

25 Ways to Wrap Christmas Gifts

Here are some ideas for wrapping Christmas gifts with flair. They are meant for education purposes and not as specific advice. Please use your best judgment, consider safety, and avoid giving choke-sized decorations, wires or ribbons to small children.

1. For a country look, use kraft paper or butcher block paper instead of conventional wrapping paper and get creative with rubber stamps, stencils and stamping ink.
2. Substitute sheet music or a map for wrapping paper.
3. Use fabric scraps instead of expensive wrapping paper.
4. Ditch pre-made bows and instead tie your gifts with artfully-arranged wire ribbon.
5. Using craft scissors or pinking shears, create gift tags from old Christmas cards.
6. To add your own special touch to gifts, decorate blank gift tags.
7. Find homemade ornaments to tie on your gifts at Etsy.com or local holiday craft fairs.
8. Tuck a piece of evergreen and maybe a pine cone or two behind the ribbon you tie around a package. Secure with thin wire,  if needed. Tie with jute or natural cord.
9. Top a present with twigs and leaves secured with jute or natural cord.
10. Find a plaid bathrobe at a second hand store, cut it into strips, and fray the edges to make some gorgeous ribbon.
11. Dress up a plain package with a lace doily secured with fabric ribbon or trim.
12. Purchase or sew draw-string gift bags from fabric scraps.
13. Decorate packages with silk flowers from the local dollar store.
14. Attach buttons with hot glue onto plain wrapping paper.
15. Use ribbon to tie a car, small figurine, or candy around an older child’s gift.
16. Wrap a gift in denim fabric and tie a leather belt around it instead of a ribbon.
17. Tie jingle bells to the top of a present with ribbon.
18. Make kraft paper or white butcher paper look pretty with the addition of patterned duct tape.
19. Top a Christmas present with a pom pom made of yarn. Tie yarn around the present rather than ribbon.
20. Use an old brooch to decorate a present wrapped with fabric.
21. Wash and air-dry a potato chip bag with a shiny lining. Cut it open along the seams for some frugal and pretty gift wrap.
22. Wrap gifts for grandparents in children’s artwork.
23. Instead of packaging fragile gifts in foam peanuts, use real peanuts in the shell, popcorn, straw, or wrapped peppermints to cushion gifts.
24. For an elegant look, add a tassel to a present wrapped in velvet, brocade, or satin.
25. Top presents with homemade snowflakes.

CHRISTMAS PREPARATIONS

• Wrap and decorate your gifts.

INSPIRATIONAL ACTIVITY

• Reward those who go beyond the call of duty to meet your needs. Give small presents to service people (like your mail carrier).