Christmas Wrapping Paper

Choosing Christmas wrapping paper for your presents

Gift wrap is the first thing anyone sees of a present, and at Christmas it also becomes part of the room. A stack of parcels under the tree works like a decoration of its own, so it pays to pick designs that look good as one small box and even better as a whole pile.

Plaids, tartans and gingham

A check is the most traditional Christmas pattern there is and rarely clashes with anything else in a festive home. Deep burgundy and forest-green plaids feel cozy and cabin-like, cream checks keep a pile light, and small gingham checks bring a picnic-style freshness. See them together in the plaid and tartan Christmas collection.

Vintage and retro Santa designs

Old-fashioned Santa portraits, retro trees hung with baubles, stockings and poinsettias bring back the look of mid-century greeting cards. These are new prints in a nostalgic style, gathered in the vintage and retro Christmas collection.

Pink and pastel Christmas

Blush, candy pink and soft pastel grounds swap the usual red for something lighter: ornaments, bows, mistletoe and pink Santas that suit silver, white or colorful trees. The pink Christmas collection keeps them in one palette.

Bows, ribbons and garlands

Some designs look wrapped before the ribbon goes on, with printed bows, ribbon swags, pine garlands and bunting stripes. They suit a gift table that should look generous and finished, and they pair well with a plain ribbon in one of the printed colors.

Trees, holly and candy canes

Little decorated trees, holly sprigs, poinsettias, mittens and candy canes are the classic motifs for family presents. Small scattered motifs work best on small boxes, while larger repeats show off on big parcels.

Scandi and folk prints

Black-and-cream ornaments, woodland animal faces, starbursts and folk borders give a calmer, Nordic-style pile. Browse them in the Scandi Christmas collection.

Cats, dogs and snowy designs

For animal lovers, the dog and cat decor collection pairs pet prints with matching stockings and pillows. For snowflakes, cabins, owls and berries without Santa, see winter wrapping paper.

How many rolls should you order?

Think in presents rather than lengths. The shortest roll suits one or two gifts, the middle length covers a typical household list, and the longest is the practical choice for large families or for anyone who wraps for several homes. Two designs in medium lengths is an easy way to give a pile some variety.

Small habits for neater parcels

Wrap on a large, clean surface so the paper lies flat, and cut with long strokes of sharp scissors rather than lots of little snips. Double-sided tape hides the seams, and folding the short ends toward the middle before creasing gives crisp corners. For round or soft gifts, a plain box first makes the edges far neater. Keep the offcuts: narrow strips make bands for jars and bottles, and small squares wrap gift cards.