30 Cute Wrapping Ideas for Kids’ Christmas Gifts
Christmas morning is magical for children. Their eyes light up at the sight of colorful gifts waiting under the tree. But let’s be honest—kids don’t just care about what’s inside the box. They love the wrapping too. Bright paper, funny characters, or even little interactive elements make the moment extra special. That’s why choosing cute wrapping ideas for kids’ Christmas gifts matters so much.
Instead of sticking to plain red-and-green wrapping paper, why not try something playful and creative this year? From animal-themed wraps to interactive designs, these ideas bring smiles even before the gifts are opened. The best part? Most of these are simple, budget-friendly, and easy to pull off at home with little effort.
Here are 30 wrapping ideas that turn kids’ Christmas presents into magical little works of art.
1. Santa Face Wrapping
Wrap your gift in plain red paper, then add a white paper beard, a round pink nose, and some cotton balls for Santa’s hat trim. Kids love it when their present looks like Santa himself. It’s almost like meeting him early. This design works best for medium-sized boxes and adds instant holiday cheer.
2. Reindeer Gift Wrap
Brown kraft paper can turn into Rudolph with just a red pom-pom nose and googly eyes. Add antlers made of cardboard, and your child will laugh before even opening the present. It’s a playful way to wrap smaller boxes or books.
3. Snowman Stacking Wrap
If you have multiple gifts for the same child, stack them from biggest to smallest and wrap each in white paper. Add black buttons, a scarf, and a little carrot nose cut from orange paper. The result? A standing snowman made of gifts!
4. Christmas Tree Triangle Wrap
Wrap a box in green paper, then cut it into a triangle shape using extra folds. Add small sticker “ornaments” and a star on top. This turns the gift into a decorated Christmas tree, which kids find both cute and surprising.
5. Elf-Inspired Wrapping
Use red and green striped paper with a big black belt made of ribbon across the center. Add a golden buckle for detail. This makes the gift look like Santa’s helper left it behind. It’s festive and playful at the same time.
6. Candy Cane Stripes
Kids love candy canes, so why not wrap gifts in red-and-white striped paper? Tie them up with a real candy cane as part of the bow. It makes the wrapping edible and fun.
7. Cartoon Character Wrap
If your child loves Frozen, Paw Patrol, or Minions, print character cutouts and stick them on the wrapped box. This adds personality and excitement since kids immediately recognize their favorite heroes.
8. Chalkboard Paper with Doodles
Wrap gifts in black paper and use white or colorful chalk markers to draw doodles. You can add stars, snowflakes, or even write the child’s name in big letters. It feels custom-made and interactive.
9. Animal Face Wrapping
Turn simple wrapping paper into animals like bears, cats, or penguins. Use colored paper cutouts for ears, eyes, and noses. Kids love guessing which animal their gift has become.
10. Glow-in-the-Dark Stars
Wrap with dark blue paper, then stick glow-in-the-dark stars and moons. When the lights go off on Christmas Eve, the gifts shine like the night sky. This creates magical excitement for bedtime gift anticipation.
11. Puzzle Wrapping
Turn the wrapping itself into a puzzle. Draw a maze or crossword with clues about the gift. Kids can solve it before opening. This doubles the fun and makes the moment last longer.
12. Pop-Up Christmas Cards on Gifts
Instead of a flat gift tag, attach a pop-up Christmas card to the wrapping. It feels interactive, and kids can play with it before unwrapping.
13. Balloon-Tied Gifts
Tie balloons to the gift instead of ribbons. Use Christmas colors like red, white, and green. The floating balloons make the present feel larger than life.
14. Cookie Cutter Decorations
Use holiday cookie cutters as part of the wrapping design. Attach them with ribbon so kids get a useful keepsake along with their present.
15. LEGO Wrapping Style
If your child loves LEGO, wrap the gift in bright paper and stick on paper circles to mimic LEGO blocks. The box instantly looks like a giant LEGO piece.
16. Storybook Wrapping
Wrap the gift in plain paper, then write a mini-Christmas story across it. Kids will enjoy reading it before tearing the paper apart. It feels like two gifts in one.
17. Candy Wrapping Roll
Wrap small gifts in bright tissue paper and twist the ends like candy wrappers. Place them in a basket for a surprise “candy gift collection.”
18. Glitter and Sparkle Wrap
Use glitter tape or metallic ribbons to make the wrapping shiny. Kids love sparkly things—it gives their gifts an extra magical touch.
19. Felt Cut-Outs
Cut Christmas shapes (trees, bells, or snowflakes) out of felt and glue them to plain wrapping. It adds a soft, touchable texture kids will love.
20. Handprint Wrapping
Wrap in plain paper and stamp handprints using washable paint. You can even use your child’s own handprint as decoration for sibling gifts. It feels personal and warm.
21. Jingle Bell Wrapping
Attach tiny jingle bells to the ribbon so the gift jingles when kids pick it up. It makes the unwrapping sound festive and fun.
22. Window Peek Wrap
Cut a small window in the wrapping and cover it with clear plastic. Kids can peek at part of the toy inside, teasing their curiosity without giving away the full surprise.
23. Rainbow Wrapping
Use multicolored wrapping paper or layer strips of different colored paper across the gift. Tie with a rainbow ribbon for an energetic and cheerful look.
24. Confetti Pouch Wrapping
Make a clear envelope of confetti on top of the gift using transparent wrapping. Kids can shake the present like a snow globe before opening.
25. Gingerbread House Wrapping
Wrap a rectangular box in brown kraft paper, then draw icing swirls with a white paint pen. Add candy stickers to make it look like a gingerbread house.
26. Musical Gift Wrap
Tape a small sound card (like those in singing cards) under the ribbon. When kids lift the gift, it plays a Christmas tune. Instant laughter guaranteed.
27. Polka Dot Wrapping with Pom-Poms
Use colorful pom-poms as “dots” on plain wrapping. Kids will love the fuzzy, playful design. It’s simple but brings joy.
28. Sock Stocking Wrap
Instead of wrapping with paper, place the gift inside a Christmas stocking. Tie the top with ribbon. Kids love stockings, and it saves on paper waste too.
29. Snowflake Stencil Wrap
Spray paint white snowflakes over kraft paper using stencils. The snowy design feels festive and looks handcrafted.
30. Interactive Coloring Wrap
Wrap with plain paper and draw outlines of Christmas scenes. Give kids crayons with their gift so they can color the paper after opening. It keeps them busy and creative.
Final Thoughts
The joy of kids’ Christmas gifts isn’t just about what’s inside. The wrapping can make the moment even more magical. Whether you create a Santa face, a snowman stack, or a glow-in-the-dark sky, each idea turns gift-giving into an experience. Kids remember these little details, and years later, they’ll smile at the memory of a silly reindeer box or a gift that jingled like bells.
Christmas wrapping is your chance to spark imagination, laughter, and surprise. Try out a few of these 30 cute wrapping ideas, and you’ll see how even before the paper is torn apart, the magic of Christmas shines through.
