Creative Ways to Give a Gift

You’ve found perfect gift for everyone on your list, but there’s no fun in watching someone open an envelope with a voucher in it. Luckily we’ve got a few creative ways to give gifts this holiday season.

Whether your gift recipient is a friend, family member, or significant other, one of these holiday packaging ideas should fit the bill, or at least provide a jumping-off point for your own crafting energy. Even better, each of our creative packaging options is budget-friendly and easy to execute. All you need to get started is a few crafting supplies and printed vouchers.

Message in a Bottle

Messages in a bottle have of us dreaming of exotic locales, which makes this the perfect creative packaging idea for travel gifts. A trip to a tropical island would be great, but this can also be a fun way to present a visit to an indoor waterpark.

Time Commitment: Approximately 1 hour

Skill Level: Easy

Budget: ~$5

What You Need:

• Bottle (you can use any kind of bottle—I snagged a vintage bottle from a thrift store for $1)
• Paper
• Pen
• Scissors
• Baker’s twine

What You Do:

1. Cut 10 pieces of paper into a 2.5”x4” rectangle.
2. Write a thoughtful message on each piece of paper. Your message can vary to fit whoever you’re giving the gift to. A significant other? Write down your favorite things about them, meaningful poetry, or song lyrics that remind you of your beau. A friend? Find some funny or inspirational quotes.
3. Roll each one up and tie them with the baker’s twine.
4. Roll up the Groupon and toss it in with the other messages as a surprise.

Mason Jar of Candy

Two gifts in one, this candy-and-gift combo is a creative way to give a gift to someone with a sweet tooth. Pairs well with any food gift, particularly those of the sweet variety.

Time Commitment: 5 minutes

Skill Level: Easy

Budget: Choose your own budget, depending on the candy you select

What You Need:

• Mason jar
• Candy
• Baker’s twine

This one is pretty self-explanatory. Roll the Groupon up and tie it with baker’s twine. Fill your jar with your recipient’s favorite candy and hide the Groupon within. While they’re mid-feast, they’ll find the Groupon and realize that you are even sweeter than they thought you were before.

Paper Flower Bouquet

This bouquet is just begging to be presented to your significant other, making it a solid holiday packaging idea for a romantic experience. Consider choosing this option to wrap up an outing for two, such as wine tasting or a couples massage.

Time Commitment: 30 minutes

Skill Level: Intermediate

Budget: ~$5

What You Need:

• Florist wire (four pieces)
• Red paper (three pieces)
• Scissors
• Pencil
• Baker’s twine
• Crafter’s glue (I always turn to Aleene’s Tacky Glue)
• Mason jar

What You Do:

Note: For this project, you will need two copies of the gift: one to make into a flower and one that they can actually use upon redemption.

1. Draw a large swirl onto each of the sheets of paper, including the gift.
2. Cut along the swirl lines.
3. Starting at the outside edge of the swirl, tightly roll the paper.
4. Once you get to the base, loosen your flower a little bit.
5. Cover the base in glue, and hold the rolled flower in place for a few seconds.
6. After the glue has dried completely, cut the base so it’s even with the flower.
7. Poke the florist wire through the bottom of each flower.
8. Roll the second gift and tie it with baker’s twine.
9. Put the flowers and the gift in your mason jar, and dazzle your loved one!