Decadent + Simple Gift Wrapping Tutorial

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #BIGSeason #BigLots #CollectiveBias

When my sister and I both still lived at home (like another lifetime ago!), each year at Christmas, we both loved to go all out with our gift wrapping styles. We’d each have different themed wrapping so we could tell who had wrapped which present!

Sometimes we’d even have “ugly present” contests! Creating beautifully packaged presents doesn’t have to be difficult. In fact, today I want to share a decadent + simple gift wrapping tutorial!

I finally began my Christmas shopping this past weekend. My first stop was to our local Big Lots to scope out the holiday decor and gifting scene, and wow! If I’d had more time, I could’ve finished the majority of my Christmas gift shopping right then! I have my eye on several more gift items I need to pick up:

• Playdoh kits and Nerf sets for the boys
• Board games & puzzles (I’ve been getting really into board games for kids lately!)
• Fuzzy blankets and  slippers for friends
• Mugs and a great selection of teas and coffees for those “I didn’t realize we were giving gifts” moments (it’s handy to have a few ready-to-go gifts!).
• Bakingware
• Home decor (they’ve got cool decorative candle lanterns! Wait, am I shopping for me or other people right now, I forget!)

In both of our families, we draw names to buy one gift each. So you just never know year to year who you’ll have to buy for – men, women, college kids! Sometimes I pick a person who is a real stumper for what they’d love (you know those people who have everything!?).

From tech gear to beauty packages, I saw a range of items at Big Lots, depending on who I pick this year (we don’t pick till Thanksgiving!).

Okay but here was something unexpected! I’m used to finding great household items and fun foods at Big Lots, but did you know they carry a large selection of fashion accessories!? I didn’t realize the variety Big Lots had until I shopped this past weekend!

When I spied the huge wall of winter accessories, I knew what I needed to stock up on for gift boxes! Loop scarves, pom pom knit hats, fleece-lined leggings, leg warmers… Accessories are one-size fits all, and pretty much every gal I know loves to add to her accessories stash, so they make the perfect gift for the ladies in my life! (NOTE: Styles and assortment vary by store). 

I had fun creating some “gift sets” of my own making from all the winter accessories at Big Lots! I love winter white, so I went with a matching loop scarf and pom pom hat for one gift. Oh my these are so soft (I seriously might not be able to part with them!! ha!).

For a gift with a little more snazziness, I paired a textured merlot loop scarf with animal print gray leggings – I can imagine these will be fun with a black party dress!

You can get some more great gift ideas on Big Lots’ Pinterest page!

My decadently simple gift wrapping tutorial

I know it’s what’s on the inside that counts. But come on! Pretty things are fun too! So I try to go all out with decorating packages to be as wonderful as the gift inside.

Since there’s so many gifts to wrap, I keep it simple, but still manage to add loads of “pretty” to my gift wrapping!

I added a new touch this year, when I spotted the wall of fabulous printed gift boxes in the holiday section of Big Lots. These are sturdy cardboard boxes (similar to photo storage boxes), each printed with delightful winter and holiday scenes: chalkboard, Christmas lights, snowflakes, glitter, reindeer. Some stack up smaller and smaller – so awesome if you have a collection of items to gift. Since they are pre-printed, there’s no need to gift wrap! I just saved you a lot of time, I know!

Plus, the boxes are sturdy enough to use as decor during the holidays and as storage afterwards for special Christmas items. It’s like getting a little bonus gift with the gift!

So grab some printed boxes, and then pick up these items at Big Lots:

• Wide and thin holiday ribbon in coordinating and/or contrasting colors/prints (red and gold is my color scheme this year!).
• Curling ribbon (matching your theme)
• Ornaments (to match your theme). I love the flatter, glitter-coated ornaments that come in a variety of shapes like snowflakes, reindeer, angels, etc.
• Tissue Paper
• Scissors & tape (you probably already have!)

Now! Let the fun begin!

1. Layer tissue paper into the gift box and arrange your gifts on top. Cover with tissue paper. Close lid.
2. Layer a thin ribbon over a wide ribbon and pull out a long length of each. Starting at a bottom corner of your box, “wrap” the doubled ribbon across the corner angle and around to the backside. Pull the ribbon up to the opposite top corner and around to the front. Tie tightly in a knot, leaving several inches of ribbon loose.
3. Cut a long length of curling ribbon. Thread it behind the knotted ribbon at the top corner of the box.
4. Place the ornament over the knot and curling ribbon.
5. Bring the top strand of curling ribbon around over and then under the ornament. Tie tightly.
6. Curl the ends of the ribbon with the edge of your scissors and arrange curls behind the ornament.

Voila! You’re done! Your package is decadently decorated. But how simple was that? Layered ribbon + ornament + curls of ribbon!? It looks like you put a lot of time into it, doesn’t it!?

But it’s really a cinch to create!

If you enjoyed this gift wrapping tutorial, share it with your friends by pinning to your Christmas boards!

I can’t wait to get back to Big Lots to finish my Christmas shopping and pick up some decor items to refresh my home for the holidays!

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #BIGSeason #BigLots #CollectiveBias