The Scoop On Creating a Handmade Christmas - Embellishing Christmas Gifts

Ever since I was a little girl, I can remember looking forward to wrapping the presents I would get for my family members.  It was so fun to get ribbon, bows, and tags and make the gifts look pretty.  I can even recall a time (long before I could ever purchase anything) when I wrapped some tinsel and an evergreen branch up in a little box for one of my older brother's Christmas presents!  I'm sure he was thrilled to receive that :)

I still think embellishing Christmas packages are half the fun in giving them.  I love to pull out all my ribbon, trinkets, etc and put together different combinations...

I thought I'd share a few Christmas presents that I finished up recently and hopefully give you some inspiration when you're wrapping your gifts this year...

After I've picked my favorite paper and wrapped the gifts, I like to pull out my not-so-small collection of ribbon.  I tend to save scraps here and there, which is perfect when Christmastime comes around!  Depending on the look of the wrapping paper I used for the year, I look through my craft supplies and even around the house for things I can use for gift tags or little embellishments to add...

Leftover ornaments from decorating, skeleton keys, custom tags, as well as items from nature like branches, pinecones, holly, and greenery are also great additions to those Christmas packages...

Since I decorated the tree and living room with neutral colors and used elements from nature in the Christmas decor, faux bois (fake wood) wrapping paper is a perfect match...

I love to have simple white satin ribbon on hand for gifts as it gives an elegant statement.  Add some greenery, an antique skeleton key, and custom chalkboard wooden tag and this gift is ready to go!  Did you know that you can make custom chalkboard tags simply by painting wooden tags from the craft store with acrylic paint, Chalk Paint, or with chalkboard paint (of course)?

This time birds and coordinating pale blue satin ribbon and ornaments complement brown faux bois paper...

Going even further with the bird theme, this silvery feather gift wrap is embellished with burlap ribbon, fresh greenery, feather accent and custom nest gift tag.  Etsy is a great source for inexpensive, downloadable gift tags like these...

I was excited to finally use the Ballard Design's document wrapping paper that I ordered last year as part of an after-Christmas sale.  I don't usually splurge on expensive paper, but I've always loved this in their catalog every year...

Paired with burlap ribbon, a turkey feather (reminiscent of a quill), and an embellished cotton boll, this package would be perfect for an aspiring writer!

Last, but not least, I came across a package of small envelopes at Hobby Lobby recently and thought they would make cute place settings and personalized gift tags...

Filled with greenery, candy, etc and attached to a package or napkin at the dinner table, these little envelopes are perfect for the holidays!  

There are endless possibilities when it comes to embellishing those Christmas gifts... Just have fun with it!

Make sure you visit all the other great handmade Christmas projects the next six days!  

Friday December 6

Saturday December 7 Sunday December 8
Monday December 9
Tuesday December 10


Also, this is the last day of the "Deck the Halls" Tour!  Don't forget to visit these talented blogger's Christmas decorations...

The Beautiful Home

Eclectically Vintage

French Country Cottage

Housepitality Designs

On Sutton Place

Stone Gable