The best holiday gift wrapping and accessories this year
Pretty packaging that’s guaranteed to elevate your holiday parcels
Sure, it's ultimately what's on the inside that counts, but beautiful wrapping paper can sometimes make us question that old adage. Consider this: if you've spent hours scouring local shops for the perfect present, doesn't it deserve to look just as good on the outside? First impressions matter, and that goes for presents, too. It also works the other way around. Pretty packaging can elevate even the most mundane gifts. Plus, wrapping supplies are fun! If I had an annual seasonal list of my favourite things, it would include a bunch of these items below. Here are some festive picks, many of them eco-friendly, to help you dress up your parcels this season.
Pretty papers
Rifle Paper Co. knows how to do floral patterns right. And it turns out they know a thing or two about making some of the prettiest holiday wrapping paper, too! I love how the gift box to the right is wrapped separately from the lid so that the vessel can be reused again and again.
Holiday Wrapping Paper Bundle Tree, Set of 3, $29.95, chapters.indigo.ca
I'm like a crow when it comes to shiny things! So naturally, I'm obsessed with this paper that's guaranteed to make all of my presents glittery. Apart from the pizzazz, I also love that it's certified sustainable by the Forest Stewardship Council.
Champagne Glitter Gift Wrap, $12.95, crateandbarrel.com
Hands down, this is the cutest wrapping paper I've ever seen. I'd have to agree with the product description that says artist Scott Church's illustrations "display an earnest joy that leaps off of the page." And it's even more special because it's printed on recycled and recyclable newsprint.
Elephants by Allport Editions, $13.25/3 sheets, wrappily.com
Don't underestimate simple kraft paper. It's good for year-round wrapping, crafting and projects. And, during the holidays, it serves as the perfect neutral base for layering pretty twine and ribbon (like the options below), seasonal greenery and even cinnamon sticks. The paper shown comes in a jumbo roll made from 100 per cent recyclable materials and is completely biodegradable. Beautiful!
#1 Eco Kraft Wrapping Paper Roll, $37.99, amazon.ca
In case you didn't know, terrazzo is having a real moment right now. These wrapping sheets will add a little bit of a retro feel to your parcels this season.
Terrazzo Wrapping Paper, $10, drakegeneralstore.ca
Adorn your gifts for Hanukkah with this beautiful blue and white paper. Just like the elephant-print paper above, it's printed on recycled and recyclable newsprint. It's also reversible (so you get both designs shown) and comes with complementary, stick-on gift tags.
Hanukkah Textiles, $19.88/6 sheets, wrappily.com
Beautiful bags
Part wrapping paper, part gift bag, these reusable gift wraps by Lilywrap are ingenious. Perfect for lazy wrappers and reducing waste, they're also simple to use. Click here to see how they work.
These fabric bags come in three different sizes for all your gifting needs. Plus, can it get any more festive than this pretty plaid?
Showing up to a party with a bottle of wine is nice. But add a faux fur wine bag, and suddenly you've got yourself an elevated gift.
Faux Fur Wine Bag, $22, potterybarn.ca
These confetti-filled gift bags are entirely perfect. Keep them in the family or gift them out to friends, then watch how they make the rounds season after season.
Meri Meri Holiday Gift Bags, Set of 3, about $30, anthropologie.com
Ribbons
This bakers twine is just so Christmassy! It comes in rolls of 240 yards, so you can add it to all your parcels this year and still have enough left over for crafting. It's also made of 100 per cent cotton, so it's soft to the touch and biodegradable, too.
Cherry Divine Twine, $18.95, thepaperplace.ca
This vintage-inspired ribbon is fabricated so that you can loop, curl and tie it onto just about any gift you give this season. Classy and pretty as can be, it also happens to be compostable.
There's something so beautifully glam about using satin ribbon to dress up a present. This ribbon from Revelry Party Company is available in 4 different widths and you can purchase it by the yard, so the choice is all yours!
Gold Satin Ribbon, $2.07/yard, etsy.ca
Dress your presents to impress with this candy cane–inspired, eco-friendly ribbon. Bonus points for the fact that it's made from cotton that's responsibly grown and dyed in the U.S.
5/8" Eco-Friendly Candy Cane Ribbon, $6.95, papyrusonline.com
Tags, tapes and add-ons
I'm a fan of an old-timey Christmas tree motif, so these beauties from Rifle Paper Co. caught my eye. I may just work them into my family's gift tag rotation this year. (Fun fact: my family reuses tags year after year; we just gather them up after everything has been opened and tuck them away for next December.)
Die Cut Tree Tags, $10.95, iheartscout.com
Share your true feelings this December — and say it with glitter. This gold decoration from H&M comes in at a very affordable price point. So nice, indeed!
Gift Decoration, $3.99, hm.com
Available in a classic colour combo, this tissue paper is a natural add-on to gift bags. The best part? It's entirely recyclable after your glorious gift has been unwrapped.
Eco-Friendly Red & Green Tissue Paper, about $6.50, papyrusonline.com
If you're taking the time to wrap up a present in some of the stunning paper in this roundup, consider using double-sided tape, like this one from Crate & Barrel, so that the tape stays hidden and your paper can enjoy the spotlight.
Super Tacky Tape, $6.95, crateandbarrel.com
On the other hand, it can also be fun to make the tape the focus. This bow-print washi tape adds a multitude of bows to any present and can also be used to decorate a ton of other things long after the holiday season is over.
Ribbon Washi Tape, $7.95, thepaperplace.ca
Finally, if you've got some time on your hands and want to make your presents extra-special, these embroidery tags are a must-have. Personalize each one a tiny pattern for each giftee.
Embroidery Pattern Gift Tags, about $16, anthropologie.com