10 Simple Gift Wrapping Ideas: Brown Paper Charm

Let the gift wrapping begin!

I’m all about simple when it comes to wrapping presents. I like to use items that are unique, available, and even repurposed. Brown craft paper and twine are some of my most favorite ways to wrap a present.

Those of you who know me, and perhaps received a gift from me, know that I like my brown paper and twine. I have to tell you something about the twine. Years ago I was shopping at Restorations Hardware (back when they had cool home stuff) and found this HUGE thing of twine. I got the whole deal for like $5. I don’t think I’ll ever run out.

You can get it online HERE.

So obviously, I use it for EVERYTHING. But you know, it works for so many things. You can dress it up, or be rustic and casual with your crafting.

Ya, ok I also have a thing for brown craft paper as well. I used to print and sell my clipboard calendars on brown paper, which was an icon of mine for years until I stopped printing them.

You can get brown craft paper on rolls quite cheap at stores, or you can also just use an upcycled brown paper bag.

10 Gift Wrapping Ideas

1- Colored Rubber Bands

Seriously, how simple can it be? Just wrap a few, or a lot of colored rubber bands around a small box and top with a bow. You are good to go. I love having a bag of colored rubber bands around, they really do come in quite handy for a lot of things.

2- Reindeer Box

Kids and adults like getting a gift wrapped up like a cute little reindeer.

What you need:

brown paper or brown paper bag
2 brown/black pipe cleaners
glue gun/glue
black marker
red pom, pom

This example is just for a small box, but you could use a bigger pom, pom and larger antlers if you wanted.

Instructions:

Wrap your gift in brown paper
Glue the nose, using a glue gun, to the front end.
Draw on the eyes and mouth.
Fold a pipe cleaner in half, and just start forming the antlers in random lengths. They don’t have to be exact.
Leave about a 1 inch folded tab on the bottom for gluing.

3- Dried Orange Slices

Several posts ago, I showed you how to dry orange slices. The bright orange color adds such a cheery look to any craft project AND gift wrapping.

Instructions:

Dry the orange slices (video directions HERE)
Apply to package using a hot glue gun.
Wrap the package with a few loops of twine (optional).

4- Paper bag sewn closed with sewing machine stitching

This particular brown paper bag gift wrapping is embellished with some sprigs of Elderberry bush. I love how the blue berries and greenery look against the brown bag.

I have also added a tulle bow. Tulle is a fun fabric to work with. There are so many fun things to make with it, including a simple tied bow.

Instructions:

Using a sewing machine is a fun unique way to seal the top of a gift bag. You can use a variety of stitches and colors of thread to give the look of your choice.

Place the gift inside the bag and fold the top over several times. You can cut off some of the bags if it is too tall.
Take it to the sewing machine and sew across the top. Get creative and play around with different types of stitches and colors.
Embellish the bag with a bow, sprig of greenery, bell, or whatever you fancy.

5- Mini Rosemary Wreath

I absolutely LOVE rosemary. Rosemary is awesome to cook with, craft with, and just enjoy the look in the garden. I am lucky enough to have a place on the South side of my house where it thrives and doesn’t freeze in the winter. We go out even during the winter to clip off some sprigs for a recipe or crafting.

Rosemary smells AMAZING! Adding a little sprig or wreath of rosemary not only adds such charm to a gift but also a clean aroma.

Items you’ll need:

A fresh sprig of rosemary. (Dried rosemary will crack when bending).
Floral wire or tape (2 strips cut to approximately 2 inches)
Ribbon for the bow (optional)

Instructions:

Cut a sprig of rosemary long enough to make the desired size of the wreath. (approximately 7-8 inches)
Bend the sprig to form a circle, overlapping ends about an inch.
Take the wires and wrap them around the ends to secure them in place. Try to wrap underneath the little leaves to hide the wires.
Embellish with a bow (optional)
Using a glue gun, apply to a gift package.

6- Bias Tape Trim with Button

Homemade bias tape is a fun way to add a fabric trim to any gift. Who would’ve thought? Such a fun way to add color to any gift wrapping. Just think of all the little fabric prints that you could use. You can just use a solid color of bias tape if you want. That you can buy at the store in several sizes and colors. But colors are limited, and they don’t sell printed bias tape.

I have a tutorial on how to make your own bias tape. You can locate the video HERE.

What you’ll need:

A strip of bias tape.
Hot glue gun/glue
Button or bow for the top (optional)

Instructions:

Simply wrap around the gift overlap about an inch.
Cut
Using a glue gun, glue the end of the trim to the backside, then overlap the other end and glue in place.
Leave just as it is, or embellish with a shiny button or whatever you choose.

7- Buttons, buttons, buttons

Here’s a fun way to use those buttons you’ve been saving. Am I the only one who has a jar, or two, of random colored and sized buttons? I eventually use them for something. Not only do I use them, but I also love the look of a jar filled with multi-colored gems sitting on my shelf.

What you need:

Handpicked buttons of your choice. Enough to cover the area you want.
Hot glue gun/glue
Twine for wrapping (optional)

Instructions:

Handpick and arrange the buttons in a way you like before gluing.
Keep them there, and one at a time add a dollop of glue to each button and adhere to the package.
Do the same thing with each button.
Wrap with a string of ribbon or jute (optional)

8- Holiday Baubles and Twine

Go through your Christmas decorations and look for a little miniature of things. These mini plastic bulbs look so cute tied up on a package.

Instructions:

Tie an arrangement of bulbs together with a thin piece of ribbon or cording.
Wrap the gift with jute or ribbon and insert the loop with the bulbs and tie a bow.

Simple, straight forward addition to any gift.

9- Rosemary & Bells

Little jingle bells are a great way to add a festive look to a holiday gift.

Items you’ll need:

jingle bells
ribbon or twine
rosemary or other greenery sprigs

Instructions:

String the bells onto a strip of ribbon or twine. (I love this red & white twine)!
Wrap the gift with twin, inserting the loop of bells.
Tie a bow.
Tuck the sprigs of rosemary under the twine.

Simple greenery & twine

One last shout out for ROSEMARY.

Just a few sprigs of rosemary, or any other greenery, tucked under a bow of twine is a classic and natural look.

So there you have it, a few gift wrapping ideas perhaps you haven’t thought of.

Perhaps this will get your brain thinking outside the box as far as gift wrapping goes. Don’t stop at the standard way of wrapping gifts, look inside your craft box, and use what you have!

Have fun wrapping!

Jan Howell

My intention for this website is to share tips and tutorials that I have found on my journey of life that has brought me joy, improved health, and peace, in hopes that it will do the same for you. I hope you'll join me on this journey!

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Jan Howell

Whether it’s a new recipe, a fun craft, or some handy tips for your garden and home, I hope to empower and inspire you with skills that you can use to create joy, improved health, and to do it in a simple way.