12 Holiday Gift Tags That Take Packages From Ordinary to Extraordinary

Before we know it, the gift-giving season will be upon us and with that comes the task of wrapping. Big or small, box or bag — attaching your own handmade holiday gift tags not only dresses up the package, it adds an extra special, personal touch. 

Collage of handmade holiday gift tags

Get a head start on holiday packaging this season by creating your own gift tags!

Tag tips

  • Your DIY gift tags need not be the traditional “tag” shape. Use journaling cards, frames or labels with scalloped, stitched or rounded edges.
  • Include the “to” and “from” portion on the back of your tag. By doing so, the recipient can reuse the tag on another package or even better, re-purpose the tag as an ornamental keepsake. 
  • Add simple layers, sequins or 3-D elements such as buttons or die-cut snowflakes.
  • Use small pieces of foam tape behind layers or embellishments to add quick and easy dimension to any design.
Bold and bright tag by Jen Del Muro

Photo via Jen Del Muro of Reverse Confetti

1. Bold and bright

Jen dressed up a simple, frosted pillow box using patterned paper, a pretty ribbon and a multi-colored sentiment. The edge of the “y” hanging past the side of the tag along with the pretty layered snowflake and scalloped bottom edge add interest, transforming an ordinary box into an extraordinary box.

Pretty Punches (or Die-cuts) tags by Yoonsun Hur

Photo via Yoonsun Hur of Rejoicing Crafts

2. Pretty punches

Trendy stitched die-cut elements make for quick and easy gift tags. Yoonsun added dimension to her design by popping up the negative die-cut panels, creating focal points using the silhouettes of the deer and trees. Pops of color were added using colored card stock for the die-cut loops. Simple and oh-so cute!

Journal Card Double Duty tag by AudreyTokach

Photo via Audrey Tokach of Pink Ink Originals

3. Journaling card double duty

Audrey creatively used a stitched journaling card as her tag base. The tree is paper-pieced with a subtle pattern, allowing the multi-colored rhinestones to stand out against the background. Additional elements are raised on foam tape, and the tag is adhered to the gift pouch using a small clothes pin, cleverly decorated with washi tape.

Jingling Accents tag by TraceyMcNeely

Photo via Tracey McNeely of In My Creative Opinion

4. Jingling accents

Tracey’s clean and simple design uses a large sentiment with a popped up die-cut ornament “hanging” from hemp cord. The wide ribbon and die-cut edge add a bit of pattern and texture while the jingle bells create interactive fun.

Mixed Media Magic tag by  Jill Foster

Photo via Jill Foster of Studio Sessions, featured in The CLASSroom

5. Mixed media magic

Jill used a mixed media approach in creating her stunning tag using gesso, embossing powder and gelatos. The reindeer and delicate die-cut snowflakes pop among the non-traditional oranges and yellows. Everything ties together beautifully with the bright purple ribbon, rhinestones and die-cut sentiment.

Fun Phrases tags by Susan Liles

Photo via Susan Liles of Susie Stamp a Lot.com

6. Fun phrases

Susan used white scalloped circles to offset the space behind the layered flags on her tags. The centers of the snowflakes add interesting detail and the quirky sentiments are unexpected and fun!

A Pop of Pink tag by Kim Singdahlsen

Photo via Kim Singdghlsen of Joyful Creations with Kim

7. A pop of pink

Kim used lime green with an unexpected vibrant pink in her design. The offset tag beneath the base creates definition, while the die-cut tree over the edge adds interest and the sequins sprinkled about add just a bit of shine. The pink baker’s twine finishes off the tag, perfectly pulling all elements together.

Wee Watercolors tag by Kay Miller

Photo via Kay Miller of My Joyful Moments

8. Wee watercolors

Kay die-cut all elements of her tag from watercolor paper. She used a fancy scalloped-edge frame as a tag base then sponged and spritzed with distress ink to create the background for her darling watercolored snowman.

Chalkboard Printables by Pam Dana

Photo via Pam Dana of Over the Big Moon

9. Chalkboard printables

Pam used free chalkboard printables to create quick and easy ornaments which also work perfectly as tags. After reducing the prints to size, she printed them, matted each onto patterned paper and tied with raffia. Cute and fast!

Serene Silhouette tag by Tracey McNeely

Photo via Tracey McNeely of In My Creative Opinion

10. Serene silhouette

Tracy used an ornament die with a coordinating silhouette to create this clean and simple tag. A touch of shadow behind the tree, house and snowman comes from adhering foam tape beneath those portions of the silhouette.

Sparkly Stuff tag by Jen Del Muro

Photo via Jen Del Muro of Reverse Confetti

11. Sparkly stuff

Jen used a pattern of gold sequins to add sparkle and shine to her clean and simple tag. The gold striped paper and glitter ribbon ring create perfect balance from top to bottom. And let’s not forget that fun sentiment, stamped and popped up on foam tape.

Shake it Up tag by Yoonsun Hur

Photo via Yoonsun Hur of Rejoicing Crafts

12. Shake it up

A fun shaker tag showcases a beautifully colored snowman. The designer colored and framed just the top portion of the stamped image, added clear sequins and glitter, and framed her design with a stitched border and scalloped circle. Too cute for words!

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