Creative Hobbies

Gift wrapping

8 kinds worth knowing, 8 picks, and what to check before you buy.

Representative photo-style image of gift wrapping — generated, not a specific product
Representative image, generated

Wrapping supplies get bought by the people who host, bake and hand out gifts all through December. Think of the parent who wraps for the whole family, or the grandparent with a closet shelf full of rolls. As a gift, it works best when it's something they'll use up rather than store. Good wrapping paper that folds cleanly without tearing is always welcome. So is a stack of tissue paper in useful colours for gift bags. Think about how the person wraps: neat corners and ribbon, or a quick bag and a few sheets of tissue. Then choose supplies that suit that style.

Kind 1 of 8

Wrapping paper that folds cleanly

Rolls and flat sheets are the backbone of most holiday wrapping. They suit anyone who wraps a lot of boxes, like hosts and parents covering a whole family's gifts. Before buying, check the paper weight: thin paper tears at corners and lets printed boxes show through. Grid lines on the back make straight cuts easier. A set with two or three coordinating patterns looks tidy under the tree, and a mix of Christmas and plain designs means leftovers still work for birthdays.

  • Representative photo-style image of assorted gift box and bag collection — generated, not a specific product

    Gift ideaUsually $15–$25

    Assorted gift box and bag collection

    Simplify gift presentation with a range of pre-made boxes and bags, suitable for various item shapes and sizes.

  • Representative photo-style image of essential gift wrapping tool kit — generated, not a specific product

    Gift ideaUsually $15–$25

    Essential gift wrapping tool kit

    Provide the fundamental tools needed for neat and efficient gift wrapping, ensuring smooth and precise preparation.

  • Representative photo-style image of customizable gift tag and label kit — generated, not a specific product

    Gift ideaUsually under $15

    Customizable gift tag and label kit

    Personalize every present with unique tags and labels, making each gift feel extra special and organized for the recipient.

Kind 2 of 8

Black tissue for a sharp, modern look

Black tissue paper gives gift bags a clean, grown-up finish, especially with gold, silver or white accents. It suits people who like understated wrapping or who pack gifts for adults, hosts and colleagues. Check that the dye doesn't rub off on hands or light-coloured items, and look for sheets that are big enough to fluff up in a large bag. Plain black also works well beyond the holidays, so a pack rarely goes to waste.

Kind 3 of 8

Ribbon and bows that finish the gift

Ribbon is what makes a plain wrapped box look finished. Satin, grosgrain and wired ribbon each behave differently. Wired ribbon holds a bow shape well, while curling ribbon is quick for anyone short on time. This suits careful wrappers and anyone who reuses ribbon from year to year. Check the width against the size of the boxes they usually wrap, and look at how long each spool is. Toppers and washi tape add a finishing touch for people who like extra detail.

  • Representative photo-style image of decorative ribbon and bow collection — generated, not a specific product

    Gift ideaUsually under $15

    Decorative ribbon and bow collection

    Elevate any gift presentation with a variety of textures and colors, perfect for adding a sophisticated finishing touch.

  • Representative photo-style image of gift wrapping — generated, not a specific product

    Gift ideaUsually under $15

    Assorted gift topper embellishments

    Enhance any wrapped present with unique decorative elements, creating a memorable and personalized finish.

  • Representative photo-style image of gift wrapping — generated, not a specific product

    Gift ideaUsually under $15

    Patterned washi tape collection

    A versatile and decorative adhesive tape for adding unique borders, accents, or securing small elements on gifts.

Kind 4 of 8

Patterned tissue for gift bags

Decorative tissue paper comes printed with patterns, metallic flecks or holiday motifs. It suits people who reach for gift bags more than wrapping paper and want the bag to look considered. Check the sheet size and how many sheets come in a pack. A few busy patterns go a long way, so mixing them with solid colours often looks better. Shred fillers pair well here for padding small items at the bottom of a bag.

  • Representative photo-style image of colorful shred and tissue paper fillers — generated, not a specific product

    Gift ideaUsually under $15

    Colorful shred and tissue paper fillers

    Add cushioning and a pop of color inside gift bags and boxes, enhancing the unboxing experience for the recipient.

Kind 5 of 8

Green tissue for classic Christmas bags

Green tissue paper is a holiday staple that pairs naturally with red, gold or kraft paper bags. It suits anyone who wraps in traditional Christmas colours and wants tissue that matches without much thought. Shades vary a lot, from bright kelly green to deep forest. So check the colour against the bags or ribbon they already use. A darker green tends to look richer and also works for winter birthdays or other occasions.

Kind 6 of 8

Blue tissue for wintry wrapping

Blue tissue paper leans wintry rather than traditional. It suits people who like a snowy, icy palette with silver or white, and anyone wrapping for Hanukkah or baby showers too. Light blue reads soft and delicate, while navy looks more formal. Check the shade before buying if it needs to match existing bags or ribbon. A mixed pack of two blues gives more flexibility across the year.

Kind 7 of 8

Pink tissue for softer, playful gifts

Pink tissue paper brings a softer, more playful look to holiday gift bags. It works especially well with red, gold or white. It suits people who wrap for kids, friends or anyone whose style runs cheerful rather than traditional. Pale pink and hot pink give very different effects, so think about the mood of the gifts. Pink also gets plenty of use for birthdays, showers and Valentine's Day, so extras don't sit idle.

Kind 8 of 8

Red tissue for bold holiday colour

Red tissue paper is the most classic Christmas choice. It adds instant festive colour to any bag. It suits hosts, grandparents and anyone who hands out lots of small gifts in December. Check that the dye is colourfast, since some red tissue can bleed if it gets damp from snow or a cold drink. Pairing red with white or green tissue in the same bag gives a fuller, layered look.

How to choose gift wrapping as a gift

  • Notice whether the person wraps boxes or uses gift bags, then choose paper or tissue to match.
  • Choose heavier paper that holds a crisp fold and hides the printing on boxes underneath.
  • Pick colours that coordinate with each other so every gift under the tree looks like a set.
  • Include one or two plain, non-holiday options so leftovers work for birthdays all year.
  • Add small finishing pieces like tags, ribbon or tape for people who enjoy the details.

Usually safe to skip

  • Very thin, flimsy wrapping paper usually tears at corners and frustrates even patient, careful wrappers.
  • Huge bulk rolls in one loud pattern often outlast the person's interest and take up closet space.
  • Novelty tissue in odd shades rarely matches anything they own, so it tends to go unused.

Questions people ask about gift wrapping

Is wrapping paper a good gift for someone who hosts Christmas?
Yes, it often is. Hosts go through a surprising amount of paper, tissue and ribbon every December. A coordinated set they can reach for when wrapping for guests usually gets used right away.
How many sheets of tissue paper do I need for a gift bag?
Most medium gift bags look full with three to four sheets. Larger bags may need five or six. Crumple a sheet or two into the bottom and fan the rest out of the top for a finished look.
What colour tissue paper goes with Christmas wrapping?
Red, green, white and gold are the traditional choices. Black and navy give a more modern feel. Mixing two coordinating colours in the same bag usually looks fuller than using a single shade.

Looking for one person in particular? Shop by person.

Everything else

All gift wrapping picks

Show:AllSpecific productsGift ideasBudget:AnyUnder $15$15–$25$25–$50$50–$100Over $100

Showing 18 of 8

More in Creative Hobbies