Wrapping books for Christmas is one of our favorite festive activities. Just give us a log fire, a mince pie and some sticky tape and we’re happy for hours. If you’re giving books for Christmas this year (something original and conversation-starting like our The Book of Everyone Christmas Edition, perhaps) then permit us to help elevate your wrapping game from Beginner to Pro…
Get your origami on
We found this absurdly delightful video on Pinterest and decided this is now how we shall wrap books forevermore (especially for grown-ups). We love the simple yet stylish paper trickery, plus there’s a little pocket to tuck a postcard into. Just add a few Christmassy words of affection and voilà.
Raid the garden
There’s absolutely no need to spend lots of money on wrapping a book for Christmas. Pull on some wellies and scour the garden for spindly twigs, sprigs of rosemary and other rustic bits and pieces to adorn your parcel with. Sustainable? Tick. Free? Tick. Pretty? Tick-tick.
Add a scenic postcard
There’s something supremely simple about a nice, square package wrapped in simple brown parcel paper topped with a postcard of a charming wintry scene. Low effort, highly effective. Our favorite combo.
Invest in (a lot of) twine
If your ribbon pot is looking a bit sad, spend a modest amount of pennies on some basic brown twine to complete your gift wrapping. It’s inexpensive and really effective tied around all types of paper: from plain brown parcel paper to elaborate patterned wrap.
…and pom-poms
If you’re wrapping books for children, get yourself some bright red pom-poms. Sketch out a familiar reindeer’s face onto the flat side of the wrapped book, then finish with a pom-pom nose (and googly eyes if you’re feeling cheeky).
Paint your own wrapping paper
This ranks a little higher on the effort scale, but done well it can be very, very cool. Get your paints out, then spread out a large piece of that handy brown parcel paper. Use the pad of your index finger to “stamp” multi-coloured Christmas light shapes across the paper. Connect with a thick, looping black line. Effective, no?
Stack ‘em high
Particularly if you’re wrapping books for Christmas, this advent calendar idea might appeal. Buy 12 books, one for each of the 12 days of Christmas, and wrap them in a stack. Children can open one a day, which really builds that giddy festive excitement. If you want some Christmas book ideas, we’ve got you.