Christmas is absolutely my favorite time of year, but I always struggle with making the gifts themselves feel as special as the thought behind them.
I used to spend hours searching for just the right present, only to slap a boring, store-bought tag on it at the last minute.
That felt like such a missed opportunity, so this year I decided to put a little extra love and personality into my wrapping.
I’ve gathered 21 festive DIY Christmas gift tag ideas that are incredibly easy to make and will totally elevate your holiday presents.
I think these simple additions are the perfect way to add that cherished personal touch.
1. Hand-Stamped Clay Tags
These tags bring a rustic, earthy feel to your presents.
You can use air-dry clay for a simple, no-bake project.
Roll out the clay to about a quarter-inch thickness, and use cookie cutters to create shapes like stars, circles, or gingerbread men.
Before the clay dries, gently press alphabet stamps into the surface to personalize each tag with an initial or a short word like “Joy” or “Peace.”
Don’t forget to poke a small hole at the top for the twine before they completely set.
Once the clay is fully dry, you can leave them their natural color or give them a quick coat of white or metallic paint for a festive shine.
Thread a piece of jute twine or thin ribbon through the hole.
These handmade additions feel so substantial and look fantastic paired with simple brown kraft paper.
2. Watercolor Wash and Calligraphy
This is an elegant option for those who love a sophisticated look.
Start with small, rectangular pieces of thick watercolor paper.
Apply a very light wash of watercolor paint in shades like deep forest green, cranberry red, or icy blue.
You don’t need to be an expert; the goal is just a soft, subtle background color.
Once the wash is dry, use a fine-tipped black or white pen to write the recipient’s name or a simple “To/From” with your best faux calligraphy.
A tiny, hand-drawn sprig of holly in the corner adds a sweet final detail.
The soft colors and careful lettering make these tags look like they came from a high-end stationery store.
3. Miniature Wreath Tags
These tiny decorations are a charming way to dress up any package.
You’ll need thin floral wire and small pieces of fresh rosemary or dried greenery.
Twist the wire into a small circle, then carefully wrap the greenery around it to form a miniature wreath.
Secure the ends with a tiny dab of hot glue.
Cut a small cardstock circle or rectangle to serve as the actual tag.
Punch a hole in the cardstock and write your message.
Then, simply tie the tiny wreath onto the gift using the same ribbon or twine you use to attach the tag.
The fresh scent of the rosemary is an extra sensory bonus for the recipient.
4. Upcycled Sweater Tags
Give old knits a new purpose with this cozy and resourceful idea.
Search your closet or a thrift store for a cable-knit sweater you don’t mind cutting up.
Cut out small rectangular or square shapes from a textured part of the sweater.
Sew a piece of cardstock to the back of the knit piece.
This gives you a smooth surface to write on and stabilizes the fabric.
Use a large decorative safety pin or a piece of rough twine to attach the tag to the present.
These fabric tags add a warm, textural element that feels incredibly homemade.
5. Photo Tags with Festive Frames
Personalize your tags in a way that is immediately recognizable.
Print out small, slightly faded black and white photos of your family or friends.
The faded look gives them a vintage, elegant feel.
Glue the photo onto a slightly larger piece of colored cardstock.
Using a white gel pen, draw a simple “frame” of snowflakes or a border of tiny holly leaves directly onto the cardstock around the picture.
Punch a hole through the cardstock and the photo to attach it.
These are such a fun way to incorporate a cherished memory into the gift-giving tradition.
6. Chalkboard Style Tags
Achieve a classic, cozy cafe look with this simple DIY.
Cut black cardstock into various tag shapes.
Use a white paint pen or a chalk marker to write your personalized message.
The stark white writing on the black background gives a clean, rustic chalkboard effect.
You can add simple border designs like a scalloped edge or tiny white dots along the perimeter.
If you make a mistake, you can sometimes gently erase chalk markers before they fully set, which is a nice advantage.
Tie them on with a piece of red and white baker’s twine for a pop of color.
7. Wood Slice Tags
These give a perfectly natural, rustic woodland feel.
You can purchase small, pre-drilled wood slices from a craft store.
Use a permanent marker to write the names onto the wood surface.
For a fun detail, you can use a small stencil and a white paint pen to add a tiny festive icon, like a deer silhouette or a small Christmas tree.
Tie a piece of buffalo plaid ribbon through the pre-drilled hole.
These tags are sturdy enough that the recipient can easily reuse them as an ornament later.
8. Glitter Dipped Tags
Add some effortless sparkle to your wrapping ensemble.
Use plain white or kraft paper tags for this project.
Apply a layer of glue, like Mod Podge, to the bottom quarter of the tag.
Immediately dip the glued section into a dish of fine glitter.
I love using metallic gold, shimmering silver, or a chunky iridescent glitter for this.
Once the glue is dry, shake off the excess.
Keep the writing area clean and use a simple black pen to write your message above the sparkling dip.
The clean line between the paper and the glitter looks so sharp and professional.
9. Sheet Music Tags
If you or your loved ones appreciate music, this is a beautiful, understated option.
Find an old or unwanted piece of sheet music, perhaps a classic Christmas carol.
Cut the sheet music into classic tag shapes or even starbursts.
Mount the music piece onto a slightly larger piece of contrasting cardstock, like deep red or forest green.
This creates a lovely border that helps the music stand out.
You can lightly stamp a small message like “Fa La La” onto the tag.
The vintage paper and musical notes create an immediately charming and unique aesthetic.
10. Pine Needle and Twine Tags
This is a minimalist and nature-inspired approach.
Start with simple, rectangular tags cut from kraft paper.
Write your message clearly in a bold, black font.
Punch a hole at the top and thread a long piece of natural twine through it.
Before tying the twine to the package, tuck a single fresh pine needle or a small sprig of cedar underneath the knot.
The simplicity of the paper tag paired with the texture and scent of the fresh greenery is incredibly appealing.
It’s an easy way to bring the outdoors into your holiday wrapping.
11. Stenciled Snowflakes
Even if you aren’t an artist, you can still create intricate designs.
Use a small snowflake stencil and white craft paint.
Tape your stencil lightly onto the center of a colored cardstock tag.
Use a small sponge or brush to dab the paint through the stencil openings.
Carefully lift the stencil to reveal your perfectly formed snowflake.
Repeat the process to create a grouping or a pattern.
This works best on darker colored paper, like navy blue or deep burgundy, which allows the white paint to truly pop.
12. Stitched Paper Tags
Adding a simple hand-stitched border makes a plain tag feel incredibly handcrafted.
Cut out your tag shape from sturdy cardstock.
Use a sewing machine or a hand-held hole punch to create a series of small, evenly spaced holes around the border of the tag.
Thread a piece of embroidery floss or thin metallic thread through the holes, creating a simple running stitch around the perimeter.
Red thread on white cardstock gives a lovely candy cane contrast.
This small detail adds beautiful texture and takes only minutes to complete.
13. Holly Berry Fingerprints
This is a fun, slightly messy, and very cute option.
Cut small tags from white cardstock.
Use a green marker to draw a simple branch or a few small holly leaves onto the paper.
Dip your fingertip into red craft paint or an ink pad.
Gently press your fingertip near the green leaves to create the “holly berries.”
The irregular shape of the print is what gives it that charming, handmade character.
This is a great project for children to help with.
14. Embossed Tags
For an elegant, textured, and professional look, try embossing.
You will need an embossing folder with a festive pattern, such as snowflakes or plaid.
Run a plain cardstock tag through an embossing machine with the folder.
The result is a raised, tactile pattern that looks immediately sophisticated.
Another option is to use stamps and embossing powder.
Stamp an image with clear embossing ink, sprinkle the powder on top, then use a heat gun to melt the powder into a beautiful, raised design.
This technique is easier than it looks and produces stunning results.
15. Simple Initial Cutouts
This minimalist idea is clean, modern, and very chic.
Cut a simple rectangular tag from a stiff metallic cardstock, like gold or silver.
Use a craft knife or a decorative punch to carefully cut out the first initial of the recipient’s name from the center of the tag.
Back the tag with a piece of plain white or black paper.
The contrasting color will show through the cutout, making the initial stand out.
Tie a simple ribbon through the top.
The negative space and the bold metallic sheen make this a wonderfully modern tag.
16. Cinnamon Stick Tags
Combine a traditional tag with a fragrant, natural element.
Write your message on a simple manila or kraft paper tag.
Punch two holes side-by-side near the top or middle of the tag.
Thread a piece of twine through the holes and wrap it around a whole cinnamon stick.
Secure the stick tightly against the paper.
The warmth and scent of the cinnamon immediately evoke the spirit of the holidays.
This DIY option is also very easy and quick to assemble in batches.
17. Jingle Bell Tags
Add a sound element to your gift-giving with these festive noise-makers.
Write your tag message onto a small piece of heavy cardstock.
Punch a hole at the top and thread a piece of ribbon through it.
Before tying the ribbon to the present, string one or two small jingle bells onto the ribbon.
Use festive colors like shiny gold, red, or green bells.
The gentle sound they make when the gift is moved adds a fun, playful surprise when the package is delivered.
18. Patterned Washi Tape Tags
This is perhaps the easiest and quickest way to create colorful, layered tags.
Start with plain white or brown tags.
Use various widths of washi tape to create stripes, plaids, or chevron patterns across the tag.
You can mix and match different holiday-themed tapes, like little reindeer or snowmen designs.
If you layer the tape, make sure to keep the writing area clear.
The diverse patterns and the ability to reposition the tape make this a no-stress, high-impact option.
19. Pop-Out Christmas Tree Tags
Create a fun, three-dimensional element on your tags.
Cut out two identical small Christmas tree shapes from green cardstock.
Fold both trees in half vertically.
Apply a small line of glue along the fold of one tree.
Attach the folded edge of the second tree to it, lining up the points.
When the glue is dry, you can open the trees slightly so they stand up.
Glue the flat back of one half-tree onto a simple paper tag.
The little pop-out design adds so much visual interest to the package.
20. Stamped Brown Paper Tags
A simple stamp can transform plain paper into something special.
Purchase a large roll of kraft paper or cut tags from brown paper bags.
Choose a festive rubber stamp, like a reindeer or a small cluster of stars.
Use a colorful ink pad, like white, gold, or deep red.
Stamp the image repeatedly in a random pattern all over the tag.
You can even create your own custom “wrapping paper” this way.
The contrast between the rustic brown and the clean stamped image is effortlessly charming.
21. Candy Cane Stripe Tags
Use classic holiday colors for a sweet, graphic look.
Cut out long, thin rectangular tags from white cardstock.
Use a red paint marker to draw diagonal stripes across the tag.
Try to keep the stripes evenly spaced and consistent for a clean look.
Alternatively, you could use red washi tape for perfect lines.
Punch a hole at the top.
Tie the finished tag to the gift using a piece of plain white ribbon.
The simple striped pattern is bold, festive, and immediately reminds everyone of Christmas sweets.
Adding a handmade gift tag truly is the finishing touch that elevates any present. These 21 simple and festive ideas prove you don’t need to be a master crafter to create something beautiful and personal. Taking just a few extra minutes for a DIY touch shows your friends and family how much thought and care went into their gift, making the entire experience feel more heartfelt.
