Gift Wrapping Ideas: Tags and Labels That Make a Gift Look Finished

A gift looks finished when it has a tag. You do not need expensive paper or a fancy bow. A simple wrap, a bit of string and a neat tag can make an ordinary present feel thoughtful.

Start with plain wrapping

Plain paper, such as kraft paper or white paper, works with any tag and looks tidy. Use double-sided tape for clean edges, and fold the ends like a gift box. Let the tag and ribbon do the decorating.

How to attach a tag

• Punch a hole at the marked circle and thread a piece of string, twine or ribbon through it.
• Tie the tag around a ribbon bow, or loop it around the gift’s string.
• For a flat gift, tape the tag to the front corner with a small piece of tape.
• For a bag, tie the tag to the handle.

What to write on a tag

At the minimum, write who it is to and who it is from. If you want to add something, one short line is plenty: “Open when you need a smile,” “For a cozy evening,” or “Thank you for all you do.” A short note on the back of the tag works too.

Labels for homemade gifts

Labels turn a jar of something homemade into a proper gift. Use “From the kitchen of” with your name, add the date it was made, and note anything the person should know, such as “Keep refrigerated” if it applies. For baked goods, a “Made with love” label looks warm and personal.

“Do not open until” labels

A “Do not open until” label is fun for gifts that go under a tree, in a suitcase or in the mail. Write the date or the occasion on the line. Children love them.

Matching the tag to the person

A little thought goes a long way. A bright, playful tag suits a child. A simple, quiet design fits a colleague or a neighbor. For a teacher, a thank you tag with a short note is a lovely detail. You can also tie two tags to one gift when it is from a whole family, and let everyone sign their own.

Keep a small gift-wrap kit

• A roll of kraft or plain paper
• Double-sided tape and regular tape
• Scissors and a hole punch
• String, twine or ribbon
• A pen and a sheet of printed tags and labels

Printables for tags and labels

Our Gift Tags and Wrapping Labels pack has 64 tags in four designs and 24 wrapping and jar labels. Try a page of each first with the free gift tags and labels sample.

You can also browse every free sample on the Free Printables page, or see all digital downloads.