Martha Stewart Gift Wrap: 16 Elegant Ideas That Turn Cheap Presents Into Showstoppers

Martha Stewart Gift Wrap style is simple, natural and so polished that even a five dollar present looks like it came from a luxury shop. For decades she has shown home crafters that the wrapping is part of the gift, and you do not need fancy paper to pull it off. Plain kraft paper, a spool of velvet ribbon, a few sprigs from the yard and a little patience can make the pile under your tree look magazine ready. Gift wrap videos are among the most shared craft clips online this season, with some passing a million reactions. These 16 ideas are inspired by her classic look and made for grown ups who love a calm evening of wrapping with a cup of cocoa..

Martha Stewart Gift Wrap: Kraft Paper, Velvet and Fresh Greens

Martha Stewart, born in 1941, built a home and hospitality empire, hosted Martha Stewart Living from 1993 to 2004 and wrote Martha Stewart’s Christmas back in 1989, as her Wikipedia biography notes. This Martha Stewart Gift Wrap inspired look is the easiest place to start: plain kraft paper, deep red and green velvet ribbon, a sprig of pine, a dried orange slice and a simple tag. It costs very little and looks like a boutique wrapped it. Which ribbon color would you pick first..

You will need: A roll of kraft paper, velvet ribbon in red and green, pine sprigs, dried orange slices, kraft tags, twine, double sided tape.

How to make it: 1. Wrap each box in kraft paper with neat folded ends and double sided tape. 2. Tie velvet ribbon around both ways and knot it on top. 3. Tuck in a pine sprig, an orange slice and a tag.

Kraft Paper With Fresh Greenery Sprigs

Sometimes the most elegant Martha Stewart Gift Wrap idea is the simplest one. Plain brown paper and white twine look calm and modern, and a fresh sprig of cedar, eucalyptus or rosemary makes each gift smell like the holidays. Snip the greens from your yard or grab a cheap bunch at the grocery store. Match the sprig to the person: rosemary for the cook, eucalyptus for the friend who loves spa days. Which green would you tuck in?

You will need: Kraft paper, white cotton twine, fresh cedar, eucalyptus or rosemary sprigs, scissors, tape.

How to make it: 1. Wrap the gift neatly in kraft paper. 2. Tie twine around it once each way. 3. Slide a sprig under the knot and trim the stem.

One Sheet Paper Gift Bag With No Tape

A clever folded gift bag needs only one sheet of paper and no tape at all. One Facebook reel showing three ways to make your own gift bag passed 1.7 million reactions. Fold the sheet into a tube, tuck the sides, crease the bottom and fold down the top, then add a paper strap handle. It is perfect for odd shaped gifts and uses up leftover paper scraps. Have you ever tried folding your own bag?

You will need: A sheet of sturdy wrapping paper, a bone folder or ruler, a hole punch, a strip of paper or ribbon for a handle.

How to make it: 1. Fold the long sides in to overlap and lock them with a tucked fold. 2. Fold up the bottom, crease the corners in and fold flat. 3. Fold the top down twice and add a handle.

Pleated Top Box Wrap

Pleats are a classic Martha Stewart Gift Wrap touch that makes any box look custom wrapped. Before you wrap, fold a band of accordion pleats into the middle of your paper, press them flat, then wrap the box so the pleats run across the top. Finish with a thin gold ribbon right across the folds. A popular reel showing one box with six different top styles passed 600,000 reactions. It takes a little practice, but it looks so expensive. Ready to try your first pleat?

You will need: Matte wrapping paper, a ruler, a bone folder, double sided tape, thin gold ribbon.

How to make it: 1. Fold a series of 1 inch pleats in the middle of the paper and crease well. 2. Wrap the box with the pleats centered on top. 3. Tie a thin ribbon across the pleats.

Martha Stewart Gift Wrap: Velvet Ribbon and Vintage Ornament Topper

A wide velvet bow and a vintage ornament turn plain white paper into a Martha Stewart Gift Wrap moment. Velvet ribbon feels rich, holds a bow beautifully, and can be used again next year. Thread a thrifted mercury glass ornament onto the ribbon so the topper becomes a bonus gift. Emerald, burgundy and navy all look stunning against white. Do you have old ornaments that could become toppers?

You will need: Matte white paper, wide velvet ribbon, vintage or thrifted ornaments, scissors, tape.

How to make it: 1. Wrap the gift in white paper. 2. Tie the velvet ribbon around and make a full bow. 3. Thread the ornament hanger onto the knot before you pull it tight.

Dried Orange Slice and Cinnamon Tie On

Dried orange slices are pretty, cheap and smell wonderful. Slice oranges thin, bake them low and slow until they are dry, then tie them onto gifts with twine and a cinnamon stick. They glow like little stained glass windows on brown paper. Make a big batch and use the extras for garlands and ornaments. Our gift wrapping tricks have more cheap ideas like this. How many oranges will you dry?

You will need: 2 or 3 oranges, a sharp knife, a baking sheet, parchment, cinnamon sticks, twine, kraft paper.

How to make it: 1. With adult help, slice the oranges thin and pat them dry. 2. Bake at about 200 F for 3 to 4 hours, turning once, until dry. 3. Tie a slice and a cinnamon stick onto each gift.

Fabric Wrap, Furoshiki Style

Wrapping a gift in cloth is an old Japanese tradition called furoshiki, and it is both beautiful and waste free. Set the gift in the center of a square scarf or fabric remnant, fold the corners in and knot the top. The fabric becomes part of the present, so pick something they will reuse, like a tea towel or a silky scarf. Tuck a pine sprig into the knot. Who on your list would love a reusable wrap?

You will need: Square fabric pieces, scarves or tea towels about 3 times the size of the gift, pine sprigs.

How to make it: 1. Lay the fabric flat and set the gift in the center diagonally. 2. Fold two opposite corners over the gift. 3. Bring the other two corners up and tie a neat double knot.

Martha Stewart Gift Wrap: Stamped Potato Print Paper

Homemade printed paper is one of those Martha Stewart Gift Wrap tricks that feels like pure craft night fun. Cut a potato in half, carve a simple star shape, dip it in paint and stamp it across plain kraft paper. Red and white stars look cheerful and old fashioned. It costs almost nothing and every sheet is one of a kind. Let it dry overnight before wrapping. Which shape would you carve?

You will need: A large potato, a small knife, a cookie cutter if you like, acrylic paint in red and white, a plate, kraft paper.

How to make it: 1. With adult help, cut the potato and carve a star or press in a cookie cutter. 2. Blot it dry, dip it in paint and stamp in rows. 3. Let the paper dry fully before wrapping.

Butcher Paper and Red Baker’s Twine

White butcher paper and striped baker’s twine give you that crisp, candy cane look for just a few dollars. A whole roll wraps dozens of gifts, and the bright white makes red twine pop. Add a tiny jingle bell to each knot so every present makes a happy little sound. It looks clean and classic under any tree. Will you keep it simple or add a bell?

You will need: A roll of white butcher paper, red and white baker’s twine, small jingle bells, tape, scissors.

How to make it: 1. Wrap each box in butcher paper with sharp creases. 2. Tie the twine in a cross and make a small bow. 3. Thread a jingle bell onto one tail before knotting.

Hand Stamped Star Gift Tags

Handmade tags are the small Martha Stewart Gift Wrap detail that makes every present feel personal. Cut tags from cream or kraft cardstock, punch a hole at the top, and stamp a gold star in the corner. Thread on baker’s twine and write names in your best handwriting. A pack of cardstock makes enough tags for years. Is your handwriting ready for its holiday close up?

You will need: Cream and kraft cardstock, scissors or a tag punch, a hole punch, a star stamp, gold ink, baker’s twine.

How to make it: 1. Cut tags about 2 by 3.5 inches and clip the top corners. 2. Punch a hole and stamp a gold star. 3. Thread twine and write the name once the ink is dry.

Pine Cone and Sheer Bow Topper

Small pine cones from the yard make free, natural gift toppers. Brush them clean, let them dry, and add a touch of white paint on the tips for a snowy look. Glue or tie them next to a sheer ribbon bow and the present looks like it came from a mountain lodge. Kids can help gather the cones on a winter walk. Where would you find your pine cones?

You will need: Small pine cones, white craft paint, a dry brush, sheer organza ribbon, twine or a glue dot.

How to make it: 1. Bake cleaned pine cones at low heat for 30 minutes to dry them, with adult help. 2. Dry brush the tips white. 3. Tie or glue a cone beside the bow.

Sheet Music Wrap With Gold Ribbon

Old sheet music from a thrift store or a printed copy of a favorite carol makes a romantic, vintage wrapping paper. Pair it with gold satin ribbon and a tiny bunch of baby’s breath for a look that feels straight out of a holiday concert. It is perfect for the music lover on your list or for small gifts like jewelry. Which song would you wrap with?

You will need: Old sheet music or printed music pages, gold satin ribbon, baby’s breath, tape, scissors.

How to make it: 1. Tape two music pages together if the gift is large. 2. Wrap the gift and fold the ends neatly. 3. Tie gold ribbon and tuck in baby’s breath.

Wax Paper and Pressed Leaf Wrap

Pressed leaves and ferns peeking through soft wax paper look like a nature journal you can unwrap. Lay pressed leaves on white tissue, cover them with a layer of wax paper, and wrap the gift so the leaves show through. Tie it with natural twine. It feels earthy and elegant, and the leaves can be saved as a keepsake. Have you pressed leaves before?

You will need: Pressed leaves or ferns, white tissue paper, wax paper, natural twine, tape.

How to make it: 1. Lay tissue on the gift box and arrange the pressed leaves on top. 2. Cover with a sheet of wax paper and wrap neatly. 3. Tie with twine.

Martha Stewart Gift Wrap: Plaid Flannel Scrap Bow

An old flannel shirt can become a stack of cozy Martha Stewart Gift Wrap bows. Cut strips with pinking shears, fold them into loops, and pinch the center with a thin strip of the same fabric. The frayed edges look warm and rustic on brown paper. One shirt makes enough bows for a whole family. It is a sweet way to give an old favorite a new job. Whose flannel would you cut up?

You will need: An old plaid flannel shirt, pinking shears, a needle and thread or hot glue, kraft paper, twine.

How to make it: 1. Cut two strips about 2 inches wide and 10 inches long. 2. Fold one into a loop bow and wrap the center with a thin strip. 3. With adult help for hot glue, attach the bow to the gift.

Paper Doily Snowflake Topper

Lacy paper doilies look just like snowflakes on deep red and navy paper. Layer one on top of each gift, tie white ribbon across it, and add a small silver bell in the middle. A pack of doilies costs about a dollar and makes dozens of toppers. The contrast is crisp, wintry and so pretty in photos. Would you choose red, navy or both?

You will need: Round white paper doilies, red and navy wrapping paper, thin white ribbon, small silver bells.

How to make it: 1. Wrap the gift in solid red or navy paper. 2. Center a doily on top. 3. Tie the ribbon across it and thread a bell onto the knot.

Martha Stewart Gift Wrap Finale: Ribbon Lattice Weave

A ribbon lattice looks like the top of a holiday pie, and it makes a simple box look like a designer gift. Tape ribbons across the top in one direction, then weave the other color over and under. Finish with a little bow in the center. It takes about ten minutes and gets plenty of compliments. It is a festive finale to your Martha Stewart Gift Wrap collection. Which two colors would you weave?

You will need: A wrapped box, two colors of satin ribbon, double sided tape, scissors.

How to make it: 1. Tape 4 or 5 ribbons across the top in one direction. 2. Weave the second color over and under, taping the ends underneath. 3. Add a small bow in the center.