This week is off to a great start: the giveaway is already underway, I’ve discovered several lovely shops during weekend research, and we have another guest post from Laura of Lupin. After reading her helpful tutorial below, be sure to visit her shop or blog for more inspiration.
—————————————–
For a modern, luxe finish, try wrapping gifts in brown kraft paper and embellishing them with paper cake-decorating ribbon.
The metallic sheen of foil or silver ribbon creates a beautiful contrast against the matte texture of brown parcel paper, including striped kraft varieties. The combination feels both minimal and intricately detailed, offering a contemporary twist on the delicate lace and doily trends that have been popular recently.
Begin with a neat, square brown paper parcel—the sharper the corners, the better. If your gift isn’t already boxed, place it in a box so the package keeps a crisp shape.
For larger parcels, use a broad strip of ribbon across the package and secure the ends on the underside with double-sided tape for a tidy finish.
As an alternative to the traditional tied bow, attach two narrower strips of ribbon in parallel. This approach works especially well for parcels that will be posted, since there’s no loose bow to be crushed in transit. If you’d like to include a tag but can’t thread it through the paper ribbon, tuck the tag beneath the ribbon or simply write the recipient’s name directly on the kraft paper.
Save any smaller ribbon offcuts or leftover paper pieces to make matching tags and cards—this is a great way to use every scrap and keep a cohesive look across your presents.
To make a simple luggage tag, adhere three narrow strips of ribbon to a blank tag using double-sided tape. Larger tags are a stylish choice for seasonal gifts and present-carrying parcels and stand out when paired with metallic ribbon.
When applying ribbon strips to tags, position them slightly off-center and leave a little extra length before trimming. After the ribbon is attached, trim to fit so the tag’s surface is fully covered and the edges look clean and professional.
Wide silver ribbon also works beautifully to decorate plain white cards. Attach a single off-center strip with double-sided tape for an elegant, modern design that’s quick to assemble. These ribbons make attractive handmade greetings or Christmas party invitations when paired with minimal typography or a handwritten note.
Where to buy these ribbons: they’re commonly produced for cake decoration, so cake-supply or confectionery-decorating shops are the most reliable sources. The material may be labeled as paper lace, cake bands, or cake banding. If you’re in the UK and need a large roll, specialty craft suppliers carry this product in rolls and widths suitable for gift-wrapping projects.
With a few simple supplies—brown kraft paper, metallic cake-decorating bands, double-sided tape and a steady hand—you can create refined, contemporary gift wrap that feels both luxurious and handmade. The finished parcels look polished under the tree and travel well if you’re mailing gifts during the holidays.