I created this post back in 2013 and because it has been so popular I like to update it every few years with new ideas. Simple brown paper is environmentally-friendly, readily- available and inexpensive.  Every year I vary my gift wrap but I always add brown paper to the mix.   It is clean simple, and almost any color ribbon or adornment looks great on it. You can find inexpensive brown boxes at Amazon, Marshalls, or Homegoods that don’t even need to be wrapped. All you need is an interesting tag and some pretty ribbon. Below I rounded up 12 creative gift wrap ideas using simple brown paper. I have linked to sources at the bottom of the post.

12 Creative Gift Wrap Ideas Using Simple Brown Paper

Love this pretty option from Seeking Lavender Lane. with dried fruit and bookpages.

Almost every year I combine brown paper with some sort of pattern under my tree. In 2019 it was gold polka dots, terra cotta rag ribbon, and brown satin ribbon. Somehow I found the polka dot boxes a Marshalls. That was a lucky find. I made the gift tags on Canva. You can find all the details on this wrapping in my post My Christmas tree, simple gift wrap and downloadable tags here.

I love this idea from Always Rooney. If you have artistic kids or grandkids they can take this project on, no ribbon is needed. How fun is that?

This was my combination from 2018. As you can see I have a thing about stripes and polka dots. No stripes or polka dots are allowed this year I promise! Well, I best not commit yet.

I love this combination of green, black and red from

Love this variation on simple brown paper from Place of my Taste here. They will show you how to do the gift tags as well.

Love the pretty gift tags on these packages from Place of My Taste.

I love this idea from See and Savor. Who knew brown lunch bags could be so clever?

A few years ago I combined matte silver, red and green satin ribbon, and black and brown stripe papers for a fun mix.

My friend Annie from Most Lovely Things is a creative genius when it comes to minimalism. She can take simple brown paper and make it fabulous.

Love this pretty combination of dark green, brown paper and the simple print paper with the velvet and gold ribbon from Sanctuary Home Decor.

Tulip and Sage’s clever mix of caramel yarn, charcoal & white paper elevates the simple brown paper.

SHOP WRAPPING PAPER

I hope you found this article 12 Creative Gift Wrap Ideas using Simple Brown Paper helpful if you are thinking of using brown paper. I will be adding brown paper to the mix again this year. More on that later. While searching for nightstands for my son and daughter in law I noticed that Ballard Designs has some great ribbon and gift wrap on sale here.

You might also enjoy this post Five Instaworthy Takes on Holiday Wrap here. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your family and friends. How is your Christmas coming along? Have you started shopping?

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