December 16, 2023
Books are a great gift, especially for children. Catch is, a wrapped book looks exactly like, well, a wrapped book. How can you build anticipation and recapture the element of surprise when gifting books? Disguise them using this clever gingerbread house inspired gift wrap we developed in collaboration with Algonquin Young Readers’ holiday release of Merry and Hark, a picture book about a little owl on a Christmastime adventure in the big city.
With only up-cycled materials, a few sheets of Wrappily, and your picture book, we will construct a show stopping gift that is sure to surprise and delight. And what’s best, the box that serves as the base can be a simple decoy or a strategic cubby to hold extra gifts and treats—a stuffed animal! more books! art supplies!
Sneaky and clever—love it. Peek the speedy version of this tutorial on Instagram.
Supply list:
The trickiest part is finding just the right sized box to use as the base of your house. Using the spine of your book for measure, you’ll need to find a box that is the same size or slightly smaller on one side. This will be how you form the hip roof with your book.
Pro tip: comb through any extra packaging or shipping boxes you have around the house first, maybe you’ll be lucky and can up-cycle one you already have. You’ll need a four panel top-open style box.
It will lay across and be supported by two of the box’s top flaps, while the remaining two get trimmed to form the triangular peaks of the roofline. No special math, here: simply find the center of the flap and slice to the outside base using scissors or a box cutter. The angle of the roofline will be determined by the ratio of the book measurement and box dimensions, so your’s may look a little different than what we have picture here.
Pro tip: If you plan to add additional gift items to the box, we recommend doing it now before the top gets taped up. Like we mentioned above, the box can simply be a decoy, but to be extra sneaky, consider adding some weight or some loose rattly items to confuse all those box shakers out there.
Lastly, use wide masking tape or dots of hot glue to frame up the box flaps into the shape of the roof.
We’re going to wrap the book open to the middle, which allows us to utilize the flexible spine to drape along the frame built with our box. Open midway and lay flat, if there is a book cover, tuck the pages under for extra protection. Fold your wrapping paper lengthwise around the book and secure to the inside. For each edge, simply form a triangle and fold over.
Pro tip: leave about a fingertip’s worth of space past the edge of the book so it has room to flex in the wrapping.
Stretch wrapping paper lengthwise under the box from triangular peek to peek. Trim, then fold over each peek and tape inside to secure. Fold along angle of roof line, then tuck and wrap sides of the box as you normally would, ending by bringing the bottom tab of wrapping paper up so the final taping will be hidden under the eave of your book. Repeat on the other side.
Line the edges of the inside of the wrapped book with double-stick tape or hot glue. (Remember the center of your box may be open, so do not tape or glue there.) Affix your roof, taking care to align book and box edges. Press to adhere completely. If the book is heavy or you feel the roof needs additional support, you can turn the box to its side and use tabs of masking tape under the eaves for additional support.
It is entirely optional, but feel free to adorn the front of your gingerbread house with doors and windows. We used cut-outs from a grocery bag decorated with white paint pen, but construction paper would work, too.
Last, but not least, we think every great gift deserves a big bow and a bauble…or three.
Pro tip: If you want to wrap ribbon around the house, start under one eave to avoid the ribbon stretching diagonally from the bottom to the roofline. Use tape (double-stick is even better) to secure the loose end of the ribbon under one eave, then wrap around the house, securing the ribbon again under the opposite eave.
Et voila! Your gingerbread house gift wrapping, and fully disguised book gift, is complete. We hope it brings smiles, surprise and delight to whomever you give it to.
Happy wrapping!
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$10.80
Wrap beautiful gifts this winter holiday season with this eco-friendly, double-sided wrapping paper of your dreams. Punch Buggy yellow! Presenting a cheerful holiday scene featuring friendly dogs out getting a Christmas tree in an iconic yellow VW Beetle, a new Wrappily exclusive by illustrator Scott Church for Allport Editions.
Celebrate sustainably with our recycled and recyclable wrapping paper. Reversible patterns make holiday gift wrapping fun! Double-sided patterns works great for crafting, too.
Package includes three double-sided wrapping paper sheets + adhesive gift tags
• Sheet size 21.5" x 34"
• Premium newsprint + soy-based inks = eco-friendly wrapping paper
• Plastic-free PLA packaging
• Flat, folded sheet for easy storage
• No unnecessary cardboard tube
• 100% recyclable and compostable
• Milled, printed and packaged in Washington State
JOIN the mission to green-up gifting!
#wrapriprecycle #wraphappy #gifthappily
$8.00
Add a festive touch to special gifts with these double-sided hanging gift tags in the shape of vintage Christmas light bulbs. Printed with the highest standard of sustainability, these gift tags are cute and credentialed: FSC-certified 100% recycled paper, plant-based inks, and carbon-offset printed.
Set of six pop-out tags with coordinating natural fiber twine.
$10.80
Wrap beautiful gifts this winter holiday season with eco-friendly, double-sided Wrappily wrapping paper. Dog lovers will love this handsome holiday bulldog festooned for seasonal festivities in his striped red scarf and antlers, a new Wrappily exclusive by illustrator Scott Church for Allport Editions.
Celebrate sustainably with our recycled and recyclable wrapping paper. Reversible patterns make holiday gift wrapping fun! Paper works great for crafting, too.
Package includes three double-sided wrapping paper sheets + adhesive gift tags
• Sheet size 21.5" x 34"
• Premium newsprint + soy-based inks = eco-friendly wrapping paper
• Plastic-free PLA packaging
• Flat, folded sheet for easy storage
• No unnecessary cardboard tube
• 100% recyclable and compostable
• Milled, printed and packaged in Washington State
JOIN the mission to green-up gifting!
#wrapriprecycle #wraphappy #gifthappily
$8.00
$10.80
Wrap beautiful gifts this holiday season with eco-friendly, double-sided Wrappily wrapping paper. Bird lovers will get a kick out of this humorous winter scene featuring a few cardinal fellows catching up on a pine branch, a new Wrappily exclusive by illustrator Scott Church for Allport Editions.
Celebrate sustainably with our recycled and recyclable wrapping paper. Reversible patterns make holiday gift wrapping fun! Paper works great for crafting, too.
Package includes three double-sided wrapping paper sheets + adhesive gift tags
• Sheet size 21.5" x 34"
• Premium newsprint + soy-based inks = eco-friendly wrapping paper
• Plastic-free PLA packaging
• Flat, folded sheet for easy storage
• No unnecessary cardboard tube
• 100% recyclable and compostable
• Milled, printed and packaged in Washington State
JOIN the mission to green-up gifting!
#wrapriprecycle #wraphappy #gifthappily
$7.49 $8.00
$10.80
Your holiday gifts will look stunning in these playfully sophisticated patterns by Seattle designer Misha Zadeh. Celebrate sustainably with our recycled and recyclable wrapping paper. Reversible patterns make holiday gift wrapping fun! Paper works great for crafting, too.
Package includes three double-sided wrapping paper sheets + adhesive gift tags
• Sheet size 21.5" x 34"
• Premium newsprint + soy-based inks = eco-friendly wrapping paper
• Plastic-free PLA packaging
• Flat, folded sheet for easy storage
• No unnecessary cardboard tube
• 100% recyclable and compostable
• Milled, printed and packaged in Washington State
JOIN the mission to green-up gifting!
#wrapriprecycle #wraphappy #gifthappily
$10.80
Your holiday gifts will look stunning in these playfully sophisticated patterns by Seattle designer Misha Zadeh. Celebrate sustainably with our recycled and recyclable wrapping paper. Reversible patterns make holiday gift wrapping fun! Paper works great for crafting, too.
Package includes three double-sided wrapping paper sheets + adhesive gift tags
• Sheet size 21.5" x 34"
• Premium newsprint + soy-based inks = eco-friendly wrapping paper
• Plastic-free PLA packaging
• Flat, folded sheet for easy storage
• No unnecessary cardboard tube
• 100% recyclable and compostable
• Milled, printed and packaged in Washington State
JOIN the mission to green-up gifting!
#wrapriprecycle #wraphappy #gifthappily
$6.49
– Sold OutA perfect nest for your goodies, this pliable recycled printed paper shred is easy to work with and provides a lofty fill to be used as Easter grass, basket/box filler, or crinkle-paper alternative.
Why You’ll Love this Eco-Friendly Basket Filler:
Sustainable Materials: Package includes approximately 4 ounces of recyclable & compostable paper shred. Made in the USA with recycled, premium-grade newsprint that is sustainably milled, printed, and packaged in Washington State. Printed with soy-based inks. Clear packaging is PLASTIC-FREE, made of biodegradable plant-based PLA
$10.80
'Tis the season to bling out. Bold boughs bedecked brightly—say that ten times fast! We love how these branches swing and swoop, creating playful graphic elements that are amplified by the cheeriest coordinating holiday confetti scene you might not have known you ever needed (but clearly did.) This holiday brilliance is the work of surface pattern designer, Nadia Hassan, who puts the wham in whimsy and the cheer in our year.
Package includes three double-sided wrapping paper sheets + adhesive gift tags
• Sheet size 21.5" x 34"
• Premium newsprint + soy-based inks = eco-friendly wrapping paper
• Plastic-free PLA packaging
• Flat, folded sheet for easy storage
• No unnecessary cardboard tube
• 100% recyclable and compostable
• Milled, printed and packaged in Washington State
$10.80
Celebrate sustainably with our recycled and recyclable wrapping paper filled with hopeful holiday messages of peace on earth by watercolorist and published author, Meera Lee Patel. Reversible patterns make holiday gift wrapping fun! Paper works great for crafting, too.
Package includes three double-sided wrapping paper sheets + adhesive gift tags
• Sheet size 21.5" x 34"
• Premium newsprint + soy-based inks = eco-friendly wrapping paper
• Plastic-free PLA packaging
• Flat, folded sheet for easy storage
• No unnecessary cardboard tube
• 100% recyclable and compostable
• Milled, printed and packaged in Washington State
JOIN the mission to green-up gifting!
#wrapriprecycle #wraphappy #gifthappily
$10.50 $11.00
$31.49 $35.00
All the colors of Christmas! Bundle & Save on our Natural Cotton Curling Ribbon, 50 yds total on plastic-free recycled kraft spools.
Loop it, tie it, curl it. This bundle includes: Organic Cream, 10 yds Solid Red, 10 yds Red & White Stripe, 10 yds Holiday Green, 10 yds Holiday Green & White Stripe, 10 yds
Our artisanal ribbon maker in Milwaukee, Wisconsin is committed to the highest levels of sustainability. They use water-based dyes, soy-based non-toxic inks, and cotton yarn that is 100% grown and dyed in the USA.
$10.80
Celebrate sustainably with our recycled and recyclable wrapping paper featuring the rich colors and symbols of Hanukkah by pattern designer Sandra Hutter. Reversible patterns make holiday gift wrapping fun! Paper works great for crafting, too.
Package includes three double-sided wrapping paper sheets + adhesive gift tags
• Sheet size 21.5" x 34"
• Premium newsprint + soy-based inks = eco-friendly wrapping paper
• Plastic-free PLA packaging
• Flat, folded sheet for easy storage
• No unnecessary cardboard tube
• 100% recyclable and compostable
• Milled, printed and packaged in Washington State
JOIN the mission to green-up gifting!
#wrapriprecycle #wraphappy #gifthappily
$19.49 $21.00
All the colors inspired by a Starry Night - Bundle and Save on our Natural Cotton Curling Ribbon, 30 yds total on plastic-free recycled kraft spools. Loop it, tie it, curl it. This bundle includes: Midnight Blue, 10 yds Curry, 10 yds Grey & Cream Stripe, 10 yds. Perfect for Hanukkah and everyday gifting celebrations
Our artisanal ribbon maker in Milwaukee, Wisconsin is committed to the highest levels of sustainability. They use water-based dyes, soy-based non-toxic inks, and cotton yarn that is 100% grown and dyed in the USA.
Spool measurements: 1/2" x 10yds. each
$10.80
$29.99 $32.40
Celebrate sustainably with our recycled and recyclable wrapping paper featuring the full collection of Christmas gift wrap designed by Mother-Son duo, Two Can Art x Allport Editions! Reversible patterns make holiday gift wrapping fun! Paper works great for crafting, too.
Bundle includes one package of each:
Fox Moment • Knit 'n Kitty • Snowy Owl
Each package includes 3 sheets + adhesive gift tags
• Sheet size 21.5" x 34"
• Premium newsprint + soy-based inks
• Plastic-free PLA packaging (plus no unnecessary cardboard tube!)
• Flat, folded sheets for easy storage
• 100% recyclable and compostable
• Milled, printed and packaged in Washington State
JOIN the mission to green-up gifting! #wrapriprecycle #wraphappy #gifthappily
$69.99 $75.00
Celebrate sustainably with a season's worth of recycled and recyclable gift wrap goodies featuring the art of cheeriest gal we know, designer, Nadia Hassan. Reversible patterns make gift wrapping fun!
Bundle includes:
• Poinsettia/Painterly double-sided wrapping paper, 3 sheets
• Festive Forest double-sided wrapping paper, 3 sheets
• Boughs/Twinkle double-sided wrapping paper, 3 sheets
• Home For The Holidays double-sided wrapping paper, 3 sheets
• (2) Festive Holiday Pop Out Gift Tags & Twine (10 tags total)
• (2) Rolls of Paper Ribbon, 25 yards each (Red and/or Silver)
JOIN the mission to green-up gifting! #wrapriprecycle #wraphappy #gifthappily
$69.99 $75.00
Celebrate sustainably with this eco-friendly gift wrap collection of Christmas favorites for kids. Recycled and recyclable wrapping paper with reversible patterns make gift wrapping fun! Paper works great for crafting, too.
Kids Christmas Wrapping Paper Bundle includes:
JOIN the mission to green-up gifting! #wrapriprecycle #wraphappy #gifthappily
$57.99 $64.80
Celebrate sustainably with our recycled and recyclable gift wrap featuring the playful holiday scenes of artist Scott Church for Allport Editions. Reversible patterns make holiday gift wrapping fun! Double-sided paper works great for crafting, too.
This holiday wrap bundle includes a total of 18 double-sided gift wrap sheets with 12 coordinating patterns. One package each of the following included:$40.99
– Sold OutCelebrate sustainably with our recycled and recyclable gift wrap featuring our full pattern collection Aussie designer Esther Fallon-Lau. Reversible patterns make gift wrapping fun! Paper works great for crafting, too.
Bundle includes one package of each:
Each package includes 3 sheets + adhesive gift tags. Sheet size 21.5" x 34"
• Premium newsprint + soy-based inks
• Plastic-free PLA packaging (plus no unnecessary cardboard tube!)
• Flat, folded sheets for easy storage
• 100% recyclable and compostable
• Milled, printed and packaged in Washington State
JOIN the mission to green-up gifting! #wrapriprecycle #wraphappy #gifthappily
$68.99 $75.00
Celebrate sustainably with this eco-friendly collection of all-time Christmas Wrappily favorites. These coordinated Holiday gift wrapping goodies provide the height of sustainability and beautifully wrapped gifts under the tree. Reversible patterns make gift wrapping fun!
Bundle includes:
• O Tannenbaum double-sided eco wrapping paper, 3 sheets
• Poinsettia/Painterly double-sided eco wrapping paper, 3 sheets
• Marbled/Mistletoe double-sided eco wrapping paper, 3 sheets
• Stags & Birch double-sided eco wrapping paper, 3 sheets
• (2) Snow Scenes Pop Out Gift Tags & Twine (12 total tags)
• (2) Rolls of Paper Ribbon, 25 yards each (Red and Gold)
100% Plastic-free PLA packaging! Flat, folded sheet provide easy storage and eliminate the need for that unnecessary cardboard tube. 100% recyclable and compostable. Milled, printed and packaged in Washington State
JOIN the mission to green-up gifting! #wrapriprecycle #wraphappy #gifthappily
$39.99 $43.20
These double-sided wrapping paper patterns play so well together...why choose?! Bundle and Save on the entire Artist's Collection by Meera Lee Patel, guaranteed to bring joy to any birthday party, baby shower, or holiday celebration.
Bundle includes one each:
Full sheet size is 21.5 x 34" Paper arrives flat and folded in a plastic-free PLA bag made of plant starch, Adhesive gift tags. included.
Printed in Washington State on recycled and recyclable/ compostable newsprint. Wrappily is on a mission to green-up gifting, join us!
$10.80
$10.80
Geometric holiday trees in bright, festive color ways. It's a Christmas classic!
Reversible gift wrap sheets come flat and folded with complementary gift tag stickers. Sheet is 21.5" x 34". Printed in Washington on recycled and recyclable newsprint.
$10.80
Dinosaur Wrapping Paper paired with festive Christmas Lights to add some fun and adventure to your kids' Christmas gifts this year. Artist Scott Church's collection of fun-loving animals are top-selling favorites at Portland-based stationers, Allport Editions. Rendered primarily in acrylics, his fun display of festive dinosaur gift wrap is perfect for the T-Rex lovers in your life.
Package includes three double-sided wrapping paper sheets + adhesive gift tags
• Sheet size 21.5" x 34"
• Premium newsprint + soy-based inks = eco-friendly wrapping paper
• Plastic-free PLA packaging
• Flat, folded sheet for easy storage
• No unnecessary cardboard tube
• 100% recyclable and compostable
• Milled, printed and packaged in Washington State
$10.80
Celebrate sustainably with our recycled and recyclable wrapping paper featuring sweet wintery holiday themes of snowy animals and starry nights by watercolorist and published author, Meera Lee Patel. Reversible patterns make holiday gift wrapping fun! Paper works great for crafting, too.
Package includes three double-sided wrapping paper sheets + adhesive gift tags
• Sheet size 21.5" x 34"
• Premium newsprint + soy-based inks = eco-friendly wrapping paper
• Plastic-free PLA packaging
• Flat, folded sheet for easy storage
• No unnecessary cardboard tube
• 100% recyclable and compostable
• Milled, printed and packaged in Washington State
JOIN the mission to green-up gifting!
#wrapriprecycle #wraphappy #gifthappily
$10.80
Tis' the season to think pink. Lots of pink. These jaunty birds and jungle foliage make any tropical holiday scene complete. Paired with this maximalist's candy cane dream, we think you'll have the whole 'merry and bright' thing on lock. Feliz Flamingos/Candy Canes is a new Wrappily exclusive by surface pattern designer Nadia Hassan.
Package includes three double-sided wrapping paper sheets + adhesive gift tags
• Sheet size 21.5" x 34"
• Premium newsprint + soy-based inks = eco-friendly wrapping paper
• Plastic-free PLA packaging
• Flat, folded sheet for easy storage
• No unnecessary cardboard tube
• 100% recyclable and compostable
• Milled, printed and packaged in Washington State