DIY Wrapping with Natural & Creative Items

Brown paper packages tied up with string are classic, but taking a few moments to add creative touches to your holiday gift wrapping sends a message to the receivers that they’re about to unwrap something truly special. The good news is you don’t have to travel far and wide to create an exotic look. You can find many of the materials in your home, local craft store or backyard. Simply spend a few minutes gathering supplies and get creative!

Here are ideas for items you may find around your home or yard: pinecones, flowers, twine, burlap, ribbon, berry sprigs, garlands, raffia and pom pom trim.

Using picks with wire attached will help you work with bulky items such as pinecones. Wrap the wire around the item and tape the pick end to the package. You can then hide the wire and tape with ribbon. Sprigs and greenery can simply get tucked under the ribbon, making wrapping with natural materials a snap.

If you’re using a neutral wrapping paper, items will really pop against it. Brown craft paper, parchment paper, faux bois (wood grain) paper and burlap all create a neutral background that let your add-ons shine. Here are a few favorite wrapping combinations for you to try, all made with materials around your home and yard!

For a beach-themed package, add on a large starfish secured with raffia. The gold-stamped star paper plays off of the starfish shape. This works with any large semi-flat shell including sand dollars. Get creative!

The woodland touches of feathers and a berry sprig look perfect with a gift wrapped in faux birch bark scrapbook paper. It looks like it came straight out of a whimsical forest, and took only moments to create.

Capture the stars! Snip off a piece of star garland and wrap it around stamped burlap. Don’t be scared of mixing metallics; silver and gold look beautiful together. This look doesn’t even require tape because the garland holds the burlap together. If you do need help keeping it secure, use either twine or a few stitches to keep it in place.

Dress up gifts by rolling them up in parchment paper. Since parchment is naturally anti-stick, tape won’t secure it well. Use baker’s twine at each end instead. A few jingle bells and a black and white photo will delight the recipient.

Go bold! A big flower tucked inside a wide ribbon instantly captures your attention. Since some flowers can leak (yes, even gerbera daisies), this is best done right before giving the gift so the wrapping paper doesn’t get ruined. Or, use extra thick paper. Take a flower from a holiday bouquet you purchased or received during the season, or pick one from your garden.

Muslin bags are effortlessly chic and hold a variety of shapes, making wrapping a snap. Tie on a pretty hand-stamped tag and some pom-pom trim to make it extra-special. Looks like Santa’s bag of toys, in miniature!

Monochromatic flowers, greenery and berries look stylish and are inexpensive. Against the birch paper, they look sophisticated, festive and are a cinch to add onto the package.

About the Author:  Carrie Higgins is in love with summer, champagne, her two kids, paint, and a very patient husband (not necessarily in that order). She channels her inner former teacher and wanna-be designer to share freshly squeezed ideas for home and family on her blog, MakingLemonadeBlog.com.

Connect with her on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram and Twitter.