We are now in December and in full holiday mode. I am about 90% done with my holiday shopping andnow comes the part of wrapping! I think this is actually my favourite part. I love putting on some christmas music and having fun with it. There are a few rules that I always follow when I’m deciding on what design, paper and ribbon I use and it’s usually a reflection of how I have decorated my home for the current Christmas season.

When choosing wrapping paper I usually look for 2-3 different style papers that are similar or at the very least, complimentary in color. Whether it is the sheen or design, I like to pair them with silky fabric ribbons that match or compliment what I have going on with the rest of the house. I don’t get extremely fancy like some of my talented blogger friends but I think my overall look is just as effective in it’s elegant, simple styling.

Another thing I consider when choosing paper is I try to keep my selections classic, clean and complimentary to one another. If one of the papers I choose has a floral design then I like for another to be geometric using a shade from the floral. A 3rd can even be more simple/tailored. The most important thing is to select 3-4 papers that can blend beautifully. I never used any more then 3-4 different patterns, you can always mix in a solid colour of you need to.

You don’t need to spend too much for good paper… This year I found all my holiday wrap at my local Home Sense. They had so many great choices in all of my favorite colors. I like that you can buy each roll separately rather then a huge package. I went with a red, white and silver theme and I through in some green to compliment my decor.

To make wrapping a little easier this year I added a few ‘ready made’ decorated boxes in the same red and silver tones to mix with my wrapped presents. I love that you can find these types of boxes everywhere nowadays. Ready made decorated boxes make gift giving so much easier and they always add more style to the overall look. What’s not to love? ;)

GIFT WRAPPING TIPS....

PUT EVERYTHING IN A BOX- some gifts are odd shapes and make it difficult to get the perfect wrapped look, putting the gift in a box makes things simple and looks pretty

BUY COORDINATING PAPER- having wrapping paper that goes with your home decor just makes thing looks so beautiful. Stick with 3-4 different patterns, complementary colours

EMBELLISH YOUR PACKAGES- Bows are not the only thing you can use to make a Christmas present look gorgeous! How about using other Christmas inspired embellishments? Try small wreaths, pinecones, ornaments, twine, greens and candy canes! How fun, right?

CREATE A GIFT WRAPPING STATION- nothing fancy at all but it holds all the gift wrapping elements I need to wrap a beautiful gift! I have a table set up in our upstairs sitting room all Christmas season, so I can wrap a gift or two when I get them or have a free minute.

Last but not least, after everyone has opened their presents on Christmas morning, try to collect all the ribbon so that you can use it the following year. I always try to recycle if possible.

Happy wrapping.... if there are any tips you have and would love to share please leave them in the comments below