Top 5 Super-Cool and Quirky Wrapping Ideas for Christmas

(Plus a Tiny gift from me!)

A few days ago, sitting in my studio finishing off the last of my 2014 Tiny Grey Christmas orders, I started to imagine all of the unique ways in which my Tiny products would be wrapped up and tucked snugly under trees across the UK.

A wave of panic came over me as I realised I have a whole heap of gifts that I am yet to wrap for my own family and friends! You see, it’s kind of a tradition that I hand make my own wrapping each year. So, for the past few days I’ve been trawling the web for some inspiration to make my parcels look super-unique.

I’ve found some really personal and easy ideas that I wanted to share with you, so you can make your parcels look that tiny bit more special too!

Here’s a run-down of my top 5 creative wrapping styles and how you can use them…

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Style #1: The Minimalist Wrapper

Image source: http://shimtokk.squarespace.com/

For those of you who like to keep a tidy home, with absolutely no clutter, this is the wrapping style for you. Clean and minimal lines in muted brown and white can add a little extra style under your tree. If you’re a dab hand with a sewing machine, you can even add a few stitched lines in Christmassy colours which give it another level of handmade interest. 

TAKE AWAY TIP: Use a thin (grey or black) typewriter font to type out seasonal messages that you can stick on to decorate - no frills chic!

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Style #2: The Veggie Wrapper

Image source: http://dailyfix.co.za/crafts/create-your-own-giftwrap/?utm_source=TotalSend&utm_medium=Email&utm_content=Subscriber%23640&utm_campaign=Decor%20Fix%2027%20November%202013%20DRAFT

If you like a health kick now and again, this is a style that will suit you. Make use of those cut-off vegetable stalks (that you haven't blended into a super-food smoothie) by dipping the ends in paint and stamping shapes all over your wrapping paper. The above rose effect has been created by using the ends of celery! Nifty huh?

TAKE AWAY TIP: Go old school and try potato printing for a touch of retro loveliness.

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Style #3: The Green-Fingered Wrapper

Similar to the Minimalist, this style is best executed with block colour wrapping paper (natural packing paper is perfect as well as bold primary colours). Try adding bound together pine needles, foraged feathers, or wintery foliage for a look fit for even Monty Don.

TAKE AWAY TIP: If using very light or very dark wrapping paper, try adding brightly coloured twine to offset the neutrals.

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Style #4: The Recycling Wrapper

Image source: http://stylowi.pl/12548606

This style is an ideal way to keep costs down this Christmas. Recycle old maps, crossword puzzles and even newspaper sheet, then tie it up with string. Kitchen and loo rolls work extremely well as little parcels by folding the edges inwards and filling them with smaller gifts, just pop some coloured string or tape around the middle to jazz up the look.
 
TAKE AWAY TIP: Place your loo roll parcels in the branches of your tree to act as additional decorations, or as tiny surprises that your loved ones will have fun searching for.

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Style #5: The Da Vinci Wrapper

Image source: http://parentinghealthybabies.com/diy-christmas-tree-idea-for-kids/

This is my absolute favourite kind of wrapping and one that I’ll be adopting for sure this year! It encourages your recipient to get creative. Take a plain coloured (non-gloss) paper and attach a few coloured pencils (or crayons) using tape, or in a fabric pouch, with brief instructions telling them to draw on their own design.

TAKE AWAY TIP: If you like drawing, start them off by sketching the outline of a Christmas shape in fine liner pen for them to simply colour in! Magic.

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Now, that the wrapping is sorted, why not download my free printable Tiny Grey gift tags to help add a little extra character to your Christmas gifts.

To access your free gift tags click on the following link and fill in your name and email: http://tinygrey.weebly.com/freebie.html

Then, simply print them off and cut around the dotted lines (you can use a pen to pierce a hole for your string, or just use sticky tape the attach each Tiny Grey tag to your parcels).

Have a wonderfully creative Christmas and a happy New Year!

Sophie