15 Best Gift Wrapping Ideas​ for Grand Reveals in 2025

Giving gifts is ingrained in cultures around the globe and there are so many gift wrapping ideas that have come alongside. While some gifts are meant to be kept and used for practical purposes, others are meant to be passed on to others. According to the American Psychological Association, gift-giving is driven in part by our desire to surprise and show affection to our loved ones.

By getting creative with gift wrapping ideas, we can emphasise these positives, building suspense through a consideration of not just what they will receive, but also how they will receive it. Whether you are hoping to surprise a child with a special holiday gift that they want but don't expect or you simply want a lovely way to wrap birthday gifts for your friends, you're about to learn a whole bunch of fun options.

Jump to Section

• Unique Gift Wrapping Ideas
• Gift Wrapping Ideas Without a Box
• Gift Wrapping Ideas With a Box

Unique Gift Wrapping Ideas

1. Use a Simple Gift Card

Some gifts naturally lend themselves to simple gift wrapping ideas. Experience gift cards open up a world of possibilities in a compact form factor. Wouldn't it be gratifying to watch your gift turn into paint and sip classes, cooking classes or pottery classes? All of this and more is possible with an activity gift card. They work particularly well for gift exchange ideas or Secret Santa gifts because they let the recipient choose their own adventure.

There are plenty of unique ways to wrap up such a significant, yet simply shaped item. For instance, for an easy gift wrapping idea, include the card in the wrapping of a larger, regular-shaped item such as a book. Follow these steps:

You’ll need: a book, wrapping paper, tape and a small envelope for the gift card.

1. Cut your paper. Measure and cut as you would for a normal book wrap, leaving enough paper to cover the book with a small overlap.
2. Secure one side. Place the book face down on the paper. Bring the left edge of the paper over the back cover and tape it in place along the far edge so the book is snug.
3. Create the diagonal pocket. On the right-hand flap of paper, take the top-right corner and fold it down diagonally until that corner meets the bottom-right corner of the book. Crease sharply; this diagonal edge will become the pocket opening.
4. Form the pocket. Fold this diagonally creased flap over the book so it now lies across the front cover area. Tape along the vertical edge on the back side to hold the flap in position.
5. Tidy the tip. You’ll see a small triangle tip at the bottom of the diagonal flap. Fold that tip under the pocket edge and tape it inside the pocket so the opening looks clean.
6. Finish the wrap. Fold the top and bottom edges of the paper in and tape as you would for any book. Flip the package over so the front cover faces up.
7. Insert the card. Slide the gift-card envelope into the diagonal pocket on the front. Add a ribbon if you like; the pocket remains usable.

2. Pleated Cover

This textured finish turns a simple box into a showcase. It’s a unique gift wrapping idea for birthdays because the pleats add depth without fussy embellishment. The same gift wrapping idea scales up or down, so small trinket boxes and large art books will look equally polished.

You’ll need: wrapping paper, tape.

1. Cut paper slightly longer than a standard wrap for your box.
2. Create pleats: along one long edge, fold a narrow band back and forth into even accordion pleats; press the creases.
3. Flip the sheet so the pleated side faces down; the pleats will now show as ridges on the visible side.
4. Fix spacing: gently fan the pleats, then tape on the underside to hold the spread.
5. Wrap as usual, positioning the pleated panel on the gift’s front face.

3. Disguised

Change the silhouette so guessing becomes impossible. A decoy shape built from a small box and paper-towel rolls is a playful gift wrapping idea that hides both size and contents without adding much weight. A ready-made shell — like a piñata or plastic cauldron — works as the same gift wrapping idea when time is short.

For a more fun and strange idea, you could tape the true gift to the underside of a chair and then wrap the entire chair! These are simply a few wrapping gift ideas to keep the person you're buying from guessing what they're about to open.

4. Handmade Touch

Turn the wrap into a keepsake by attaching a simple ornament. This gift wrapping idea works for any holiday and adds a personal note the recipient can keep long after the paper’s gone. Air-dry clay or salt-dough ornaments are a durable version of this gift wrapping idea that threads easily onto ribbon.

5. Arts & Crafts

There are no more unique gift wrapping ideas than the ones you make by hand. You'll get a kick out of crafting your own special and colorful wrapping paper designs and your family will love the extra effort you put into sharing your time and artistic talents with them.

Start with kraft or plain white sheets and limit yourself to one or two elements — say, a stencil with a paint dauber — to keep this wrapping gift idea crisp. For kids’ gifts, glitter glue dots or pom-poms turn this gift wrapping idea into chaotic, creative fun.

Gift Wrapping Ideas Without a Box

6. Gift Wrapping Ideas for a Bag

What is an alternative to gift wrap? Bags manage awkward shapes like plush toys or small car sets, which makes them a dependable and interesting gift wrapping idea for last-minute bundles. They're quick, reusability and have a clean top when stuffed with tissue. If a standard bag will not work, a simple paper sack you fold yourself is a practical gift wrapping idea for balls or triangular objects.

If you wanted to, you could also use wrapping paper to create a DIY bag:

1. Cut a wide rectangle.
2. Fold and squash the bottom corners to create a flat base.
3. Fold the sides to the center and tape the seam.
4. Slide in the gift and tape the top closed.

7. Tissue Paper

Who doesn't love tissue paper! It comes in a variety of colors and it's even more pliable than regular wrapping paper. For interesting gift wrapping ideas, tissue paper is an excellent option. Bottles are especially delightful to wrap in tissue paper, as it gives them a beautiful and stylish elegance. You can pleat the paper gently around the sides of the bottle and tie a ribbon around the neck.

Stacking two or three sheets strengthens the gift wrapping idea so the color stays saturated and the paper resists tearing. Of course, you won't be able to completely disguise your gift items with tissue paper, so make sure you're okay with the recipient knowing exactly what is waiting for them. They'll still be just as excited to receive the gift from you!

8. Rackets

If your husband birthday gift ideas include equipment for racket games like tennis, squash, badminton or pickleball, learning to wrap these items well is essential. The basic shapes of a racket are the circular pole and the flat, curved top.

Wrap in two sections so the final package looks seamless. This gift wrapping idea presents the racket clearly instead of fighting the frame and a ribbon band hides the junction for a tailored finish. The approach doubles as a gift wrapping idea for other long-handled gear, such as paddles or small nets.

1. Head: wrap flat and use small pleats around the edge for a smooth face.

2. Handle: roll a paper cylinder around the grip and tape.

3. Slide the handle wrap under the head wrap and add a ribbon band at the join.

9. Candles

Dress pillar candles up to look like festive party crackers. The gathered ends signal celebration and keep the candle stable in transit. Foil or patterned paper pushes the effect toward holiday sparkle or formal shine. Candles are great gifts for couples and as Thanksgiving gifts, even the simplest gift wrap idea will look good.

1. Measure and wrap: Cut a rectangle wider than the candle’s circumference and longer at both ends, then roll it into a tube around the candle.
2. Tape the seam: Secure the lengthwise seam so the tube holds its shape.
3. Close the ends: Twist the paper close to each end of the candle and tie with ribbon.
4. Fluff the fins: Fan the twisted ends for a neat, symmetrical finish.

10. Gift Bow and/or Scavenger Hunt

What are the hardest gifts to wrap? Generally, items that are awkwardly shaped and too large for a gift bag. Sometimes, an oversized gift bag or creative gift wrapping ideas might work. At other times, you can use bed sheets and pillowcases, paired with ribbons, to decorate and somewhat conceal your gift.

For especially stubborn unisex gifts like bikes and game tables, a single oversized bow will do the trick. Set up a short clue trail building up to the big reveal, whether it's by the door, garage or garden.

Gift Wrapping Ideas With a Box

11. Cookie Tins

When you’re gifting baked goodies or candies, it pays to add a bit of charm to the container. Try this fun gift wrapping idea for the lid to take your homey delights up a notch. A pleated topper brings a patisserie-level feel even with simple paper. When you're giving gifts for neighbors and friends, this gift wrap idea is an extra touch that shows you care.

1. Side: Wrap the tin’s side with a straight seam and smooth it snugly.
2. Top: Cut a circle slightly larger than the lid to allow for pleats.
3. Pleat: Fold small, even pleats all the way around the rim.
4. Fix: Tape at the edge (underneath if possible) so the starburst stays sharp.

12. Newspaper

How do you make an inexpensive yet pretty gift wrap? For centuries, easy and cheap yet effective gift wrapping ideas were to wrap boxes with newspaper. For unique Christmas gifts, you can use holiday-themed paper like carol sheet music. These are both pretty and make for a fun and readable wrapping paper substitute. Finish by tying a ribbon around the box to keep the paper in place.

13. Fabric

What is a unique way to wrap presents? Similar to the newspaper, a ribbon or rope instead of tape will keep fabric wrappings in place. A scarf makes for a spectacularly simple and clever gift wrapping material. The scarf can even be part of the gift or reused for wrapping later! Alternatively, you could wrap it with fancy silk, fuzzy cotton or flannel. Maybe something in the colors of the holiday you're celebrating.

1. Place: Set the box on the diagonal so the corners point to the fabric’s edges.
2. Knot: Tie opposite corners firmly, then tie the remaining corners over the first knot.
3. Tuck: Hide the tails under the knot and angle it slightly off-centre for a polished top.

14. Au Naturale

Simple, elegant gift wrapping ideas can look exquisite. Wrapping your gift in brown paper and adding twine around it to hold it in place makes for a pleasant look with an easy way to tuck in something fun and lovely. Once your twine is in place, you can add real or wax flowers to decorate the top of the package. Your recipient will love this gorgeous rustic touch on their DIY Christmas gift. Dry or live blossoms may even give your gift a scrumptious scent!

15. Origami

Cube-shaped boxes can provide a similar challenge to cylinders. Instead of pleating, use origami, the ancient Japanese art of folding. Locked folds give tiny cube boxes an engineered, ribbon-free look. Jewellery, truffles, compact tech — anything that benefits from sharp edges — wears this clever gift wrapping idea well.

The best gift wrapping idea for your gift depends on its shape, contents and the occasion. It might include a hand-made touch like an ornament or self-crafted wrapping paper. Or maybe it's a simpler, elegant design with twine and flowers or a silk fabric. No matter how you decide to take on your next gift wrapping adventure, you'll enjoy your gift-giving experience with this magnificent collection of possibilities.

For even more fun gift ideas, check out other experiences happening on Classpop!