There are those friends who don’t notice the packaging of a gift. And then there are those friends who might enjoy the packaging almost as much as the gift itself 🙂 This is when you need FRESH gift wrapping ideas.
This little DIY package was for a friend who truly enjoys beautiful, thoughtful gifts AND their packaging. In this case, I incorporated vintage-inspired elements like lace, a fabric tag, and also a small bird because those are things she likes.
For Me, the Most Creative Gift Wrapping Ideas are Often Upcycled Materials
My husband laughs at me because I have a “thing” for sturdy cardboard and/or sturdy paperboard. But that’s because I’m always thinking of creative gift wrapping ideas.
For this particular package, I used a paperboard ring that I had saved from some type of product packaging. It was like a short version of the center ring when you finish a roll of packing tape.
Regular Corrugated Cardboard is Perfect for Unique Gift Wrapping Ideas
The outer part of this package is made with regular corrugated cardboard. And this style is called a “hinged lid” because the lid stays attached and does not completely come off. It’s actually the simplest type of package to make.
I measured the diameter of the ring. Then added a ¼” inch so I would be able to add the jute string all the way around and not have the glued string extend past the edge of the cardboard. Then I measured the height of the ring. So, the length of my piece of cardboard was 2 times the first measurement, plus the height of the ring.
Custom Gift Wrapping Ideas Usually Require Folding Corrugated Cardboard
When you’re going to put folds into cardboard it’s easier if your fold lines are running the same direction as the cardboard “flutes”. So you’ll want to plan the orientation of your cuts ahead of time.
Other Elements You’ll Need
- A piece of lace for the circumference of the ring.
- Another piece of thinner lace long enough to go around the whole package and still have enough to tie a shoestring bow.
- A continuous piece of decorative wrapping paper or cardstock long enough to cover the top, the gusset, and the bottom.
- A piece of jute string to continuously go around the whole thing (top and bottom).
- Another piece of jute string to go around the paperboard ring.
- A fabric tag.
- A decorative element (like a small faux bird).
- Tissue paper
Steps for Putting it All Together
- Secure the lace around the paperboard ring with a bit of hot glue just at the seam where the ends come together. (I moved the lace higher on the ring knowing that the bottom of the ring would be covered with the jute string.)
- Fold the cardboard first, then use spray adhesive to attach the cardstock to the cardboard. Although you can’t see it in the photos, the cardstock is a continuous piece that covers the bottom as well.
- Hot glue the paperboard ring to the center of the bottom flap. (I made sure the seam was in the back.)
- Hot glue the jute string around the paperboard ring.
- Hot glue the longer piece of jute string around the perimeter of the whole box (top and bottom).
- Hot glue the thinner piece of long lace just at the front edges of the package (top and bottom).
- Place tissue paper inside the ring, then gift.
- Tie off the two pieces of thin lace into a shoestring bow.
- Tie on the gift tag
- Hot glue the decorative element to the top
The small package above is the perfect size for a piece of jewelry.
But you could also make a larger, taller version by taking a box apart.
Then cutting out the size you need. (Making sure the cardboard flutes are running in the same direction as how you will roll it.)
Now roll the piece of cardboard to make a tall ring. The cardboard ring below, for example, would be large enough to gift a large bottle of perfume 🙂
Then follow the Steps above for Putting It All Together 🙂
For More Unique Gift Wrapping Ideas
Be sure to check out my other DIY gift wrapping ideas here
Materials Used
All the materials I used were items I already had on hand.
Tools Used
Professional Rotatrim Paper Cutter (but it cuts cardboard too)
Gingher 8” Knife-Edge Scissors
Take Away
A pretty gift bag with tissue is sensible and will never go out of style. But if you have the time and own a glue gun, look through your stash of items and or recycle bin and see what you can dream up for custom gift wrapping ideas.
Here’s to unique gift wrapping ideas and Making it Fabulous!
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