As Christmas draws closer, every weekend becomes a marathon of gift-finding for everyone in our lives and even though shops get chaotic, I enjoy the feeling of being able to offer something special to my loved- ones. However, it was only some years ago when I understood the importance of the wrapping.

At first, I considered it a necessary add- on, useful just for hiding the actual gift and creating the element of surprise. It was my Japanese friend, who presented me one Christmas with a gift wrapped so beautifully, that made me think of the importance of presenting a gift. Receiving a gift could be an experience in two stages: the admiring of the packaging  and of course enjoying the actual gift after unwrapping.

Making a beautiful wrapping for your gifts doesn’t have to be neither a long process nor an expensive one. With basic DIY skills, a printer and some props, you can truly wonderful wrappings to be remembered by everyone. Here are my five of my favorite, minimal gift wrapping ideas that are both inexpensive and easy to make, hope you find them an inspiration to you.

1. The Scented One

Give your house and your gifts a Christmas-y  smell by tying a small pine branch with a piece of string . You can use brown or white craft paper for a great result.

2. The All- White One

Go for a truly elegant wrapping. Just use white craft paper and white ribbon together with this beautifully designed gift tags which you can download HERE.

3. The Nostalgia One

Choose some dreamy postcards, old photos or illustrations and stick them on some brown craft paper. Each gift can be truly personal both on the inside and the outside. More ideas HERE.

4. The Splashed One 

Splash it up, by dropping some paint on black or white wrapping paper to create this beautifully minimal effect. More instructions HERE.

5. The It’s All About the Tag One

I love Oh So Pretty‘s Free Printables and especially those holiday gift tags which are oh so cute and at the same time elegant and minimal.