We know that it’s technically what’s inside that counts, but the best wrapping paper gives your gifts of the season that extra punch—it’s like a two-for-one special. There are few things better than the satisfied look you have while your friends and family are tearing open their meticulously planned gifts, and wrapping paper ensures that the moments leading up to the day will look just as special while you’re waiting for Christmas morning to roll around.
And let’s not forget that gift wrap goes beyond December. Whether you’re headed to a birthday, dinner party, or Bar Mitzvah, there’s one thing for sure: You’re going to need to dress up that gift, even if it is just a bag to put that bottle of wine in. And why settle for mediocre gift wrap when there are so many other festive options to choose from? Steal the show with a hand-marbled option, or color-coordinate with your holiday decor. Here, we rounded up our favorite purveyors of the prettiest wrapping paper, from the elegant to the eclectic, and so much more.
Our Top Picks for the Best Wrapping Paper:
Our go-to retailer for holiday hosting now also carries wrapping paper. Catering to a number of different styles, from nostalgic and traditional to modern and playful, Crate & Barrel’s gift-wrap section will make the wrapping process feel like less of a chore. Just be sure to pick up some ribbon and tags to serve as your finishing touches (and disguise all the tape you used).
Shea McGee knows how to curate a Christmas tree, and it extends far beyond the warm-toned lights and velvet flocked ornaments. Her wrapping paper carries the same heirloom quality as the rest of her McGee & Co. offerings, but not so precious that you’ll resist tearing into the gifts inside. Block-print style florals, botanical prints, and traditional plaids all play together to create a cohesive (yet mixed and matched) gifting aesthetic.
Yes, of course, Anthropologie has a perfectly curated gift wrap section amongst their viral holiday decor; it’s only right. Our favorites are these two multi-packs. The hard work of coordinating prints and patterns is done for you, so even without gift tags you’ll know exactly who each gift is for. You can also shop for ribbon, bags, and gift tags here to complete your holiday handiwork.
A reliable destination for all things paper goods, Minted also offers some of our favorite wrapping papers. These products are all designed by independent artists, so we encourage you to flip through the pages to find one that matches your desired aesthetic, whether it be mod patterns or watercolor illustrations.
With a full stock of wrapping papers in every style for every occasion, Paper Source lives up to its name. You can shop their entire selection or head straight to one of their in-house collections to shop by aesthetic. The Cavallini collection features vintage-inspired prints bursting with classic charm, while the Fine Paper Collection offers handmade, luxury papers with thoughtful accents like gold foiling, hand-marbling, and embossing. Or, if you’re looking for eco-friendly wrapping paper, check out their Stone Collection, which offers more than 50 gorgeous wrapping papers (and matching gift bags) that are sustainably made without using trees.
When you need unique wall art or quirky home decor, Society6 always comes through—and they’ve also got you covered in the gift wrap department. Fair warning: They have a vast selection, but it’s easily sortable by color and style. Just like their art and decor, each pattern is made by a different designer, so you can shop based on art style, color, and even medium.
Mr. Boddington’s Studio has a whimsically curated selection of wrapping papers featuring hand-drawn illustrations and patterns with rich hues on flat matte. You can also pick up some cute gift tags (featuring florals, ice cream cones, and cotton candy) and festive greeting cards. If you’re in Brooklyn, make sure to stop by their new storefront in Carroll Gardens.
Etsy has everything under the sun, including wrapping paper you can’t find anywhere else. In addition to modern and minimalist prints, there are tons of custom options where you can actually get someone special’s face, name, or even pet incorporated into the pattern.
If you’re looking for wrapping paper online, Amazon is a great source for last-minute ideas. Not only do they have a robust selection of competitively priced gift wrap, but they’ve also got tons of cute gift boxes, tissue paper, and bows. It’s a one-stop shop for all your wrapping needs (not to mention the presents themselves). You’ll find the standard fare: solids, stripes, polka dots, and florals, with options for every occasion. If you go digging a little further, you can find plenty of unique options too. You can also score an incredible 150 yards of Kraft paper (which is an incredible DIY canvas for creating gorgeous, bespoke designs all year long).
Everything from Rifle Paper Co. is a study in sophistication. Shop wrapping paper adorned with their signature, swirling florals alongside a host of holiday-inspired prints like cardinals, nutcrackers, and stamps. While you’re there, make sure to stock up on gift tags, stickers, tape, and party supplies as well.
There are so many goodies that you’ll want to take to the checkout in this adorable boutique, including children’s wear, sweet home decor, seasonal decorations, and, of course, some of the best wrapping paper we’ve encountered. The paper is available in flat sheets as well as rolls, and they also have bundles if you simply can’t decide. We can’t resist the Hanukkah dog bundle for the holidays, or the sweetheart bundle for year-round wrapping (it’ll come in handy for a baby shower, birthday party, or Valentine’s Day).
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