15 Brown Paper Wrapping Ideas for Christmas

“Brown paper packages tied up with string, these are a few of my favorite things!”

Sorry, I couldn’t resist :-) But in all seriousness, pretty presents under the tree are really some of my favorite things! I love taking a little bit of extra time to make my packages look unique and lovely. Especially if you’re hand making a lot of your gifts this year…it is kind of a shame to put so much work into creating a gift for someone and then not spend just a few extra minutes making it look lovely on the outside, too! So if you have some time and a bit more creative energy left to finish up the process, it’s worth it to spend it on the wrapping. (In fact, that’s chapter 7 of my eBook, 7 Steps to a Handmade Christmas!)

There is just something so simple and beautiful about packages wrapped up in brown paper, stacked and tucked under a Christmas tree…I love it!  I also love the look of a combination simple patterned wrapping paper packages (like big bold stripes or plaid) alongside the brown paper gifts. So for today’s Handmade Christmas Inspiration, I decided to put together a list of 15 brown paper wrapping ideas. Each idea is a clever way to embellish and adorn simple brown paper packages. And the best part – it’s inexpensive! You can pick up some brown paper for less than you’d pay for fancy wrapping paper, and then just use odds and ends from around your house to dress them up. Twine, evergreen branches, paper doilies, printed photos, pinecones and greenery…so many lovely possibilities. I hope you’re as inspired as I am!

As always, feel free to pin the collage image at the top of this page…but please visit these fantastic blogs to pin individual ideas from the original source! Thanks!

Personalize your gifts by using black and white photos as your gift tags, like these lovely packages from A Burst of Beautiful.

You’ll have the prettiest AND the best smelling packages under the tree if you take this idea from Blue Purple and Scarlett – wrap some fresh or dried herbs in a paper doily to top your gifts!

Speaking of doilies, they can dress up simple brown paper on their own, like these from Robbie and Erin. Plus they do double duty as a to/from tag.

Add stamps, twine, and address labels to make your gifts look like parcel post packages. Such a cute idea from lmnop!

Add just a little touch of glam with some glitter dipped gift tags. The fabulous Lauren from The Thinking Closet has the tutorial!

I just love these packages from The House That Lars Built. Aren’t the little polka dots so cute? All you need is a pencil and some paint to make your own!

I am a sucker for boxwood wreaths…so of course I adore this wrapping idea from Craftberry Bush!

Give your packages a cute little Santa belt with this tutorial from Craft Passion.

This idea from Design Sponge is so simple and elegant – use printed winter scenes on top of your brown paper packages.

Dress up your packages with some sheet music and greenery, like these from Mason de Pax.

Get your kids involved – have them make paper snowflakes to decorate the tops of the packages. From Little Scandinavian.

Here’s another idea the kids will love – these adorable paper straw snowflakes from Centsational Girl!

What a brilliant way to use up your leftover wrapping paper scraps! From 33 Shades of Green.

How cute are these little pom poms? Great idea from Hobbycraft.

I love the simplicity of these packages from One Beautiful Home – just a red ribbon and some gold lettering.