7 CLEVER Gift Wrapping Ideas To Elevate Your Cheapo Christmas Gift

‘Tis the season to be gifting and if you’re on a budget, fret not!

As the saying goes, “It’s the thought that counts”, right? You need not scout for expensive gifts if you know little unique ways to pimp your gift. This way, it’s meaningful and it doesn’t break the bank. Win-win! Here’s how you can give your present a little something extra. These hacks are also great if you want to add a little last-minute oomph to your gift!

Check out these cool gift wrapping ideas below!

1. It’s all in the scent

Scents can do wonders and lift one’s mood at a whiff! Unless your intended receiver has fragrance sensitivity or allergies, consider adding a finishing touch by giving a spritz of your favourite perfume on the gift wrappers before you send it off.

2. Top it with some dried flowers

Ditch the adhesive tape and put a wax seal onto your gift or card – and immediately transform it into something grand and vintage-glam. There’re plenty of wax stamp sets with wax sticks of various colours that you can purchase from the internet, not to mention simple D.I.Y. instructions for you to achieve the perfect stamp that your loved ones will swoon over.

Try online retailers such as Shopee, Qoo10 or Lazada. For tutorials, go here and here.

4. Say it with typography

Add a bit of festive cheer to your Christmas cards and gifts with some original typography! The beauty of typography is that there are tons of styles for you to experiment with. Think of a quirky message and do it calligraphy-style. Or do it the old-school cut-and-paste way and stick the letters of the alphabet onto your gift to customise it.

Although it requires a little more effort, the smiles on the recipient’s faces are worth it. Plus, there are many tutorials online to help you get started, like here.

5. D.I.Y. a gift box

Go green this Christmas (pun not intended) and recycle old mooncake boxes or shoeboxes for your Christmas gifts. It’s time to get your creative juices flowing because there’re plenty of exciting things you can do!

Try painting the boxes with a matte mint green hue and sprinkle on some D.I.Y. paper confetti (use a hole punch) for some extra sass. Or, wrap twine around it and glue on some pieces of burlap sack to give it a rustic feel. Otherwise, paste cute stickers to make your boxes look like Santa or Frosty.

There are plenty of ways to turn the old into something sparkly and new this year!

6. Up the ante by sealing it up washi tape instead

7. Make your own 3D cutout cards

Forget Hallmark cards, cutout cards are not only fun to make, but they’re also fun to receive as well! From simple designs like cutout paper hearts to intricately designed ones that pop out when you open them, these are sure to add the needed oomph to your gift. Check out this tutorial here!

By Em Tan, December 2018 / Updated December 2019 / Updated by Willaine G. Tan, December 2020 / Updated by Arshi Iqbal 2021 / Images: 123RF.com