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  • Welcome to TPK! This is your first of 2 free articles. For unlimited access to tutorials and articles, join TPK Premium for less than the cost of a latte.

    How to Wrap a Gift with Artistic Flair

    December 14, 2018

    by

    Lindsey Bugbee

    Christmas, Everyday Skills, Gifts, Holiday, Tutorials, Video

    In this article, I’ll show you how to wrap a gift that stands out from the rest! As you’ll see, some unique wrapping paper, sealing wax, and ribbon can go a long way in making a gorgeous gift presentation.

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    6 Artistic DIY Gift Ideas | The Postman's Knock

    When I want to learn something, I’m always thrilled when I can find a video over how to do it. It’s easier to catch on to a concept when you can observe a demonstration! With that in mind, I filmed a tutorial to show you how to wrap a gift with artistic flair this holiday season. You can watch that video below (or on YouTube):

    Wrapping Paper

    As I mentioned in the video, unique wrapping paper makes for a unique gift! If you’re wrapping a small gift, try using the artistic pattern printouts in The Letter Writer’s Complete Resource as wrapping paper. Alternatively, you can use whatever you have laying around the house! I’ve wrapped gifts in everything from restaurant menus to newspaper.

    Printable Patterns from The Letter Writer's Complete Resource | The Postman's Knock
    The Letter Writer’s Complete Resource includes several hand-drawn patterns that make for great wrapping paper! I love printing them off on 32# laserjet paper, which has a high-quality, professional feel to it.

    Calligraphy

    Calligraphy adds an elegant, artistic touch to any gift! In the video, I used Janet Style calligraphy to write the recipient’s name. I love that calligraphy style for gifts because it’s pretty and traditional! If you’re not comfortable with a dip pen, though, don’t worry that your gifts won’t look nice. You can always use the faux calligraphy technique or hand-lettering!

    Gift with Calligraphy | The Postman's Knock
    This gift has a bohemian feel because of the handmade paper that I used to wrap it. I echoed that feel with whimsical Kaitlin Style calligraphy!

    Wax Seal

    I love using a wax seal to put the final touch on gifts! You can find a large selection of reasonably priced wax stamps and sealing wax at Nostalgic Impressions. Nostalgic Impressions also carries the glue gun that I used in the video! If you’re looking for artistic (but fairly pricey) wax stamps, try Artisaire.

    Calligraphy Kit Collaboration with The Paper Seahorse | The Postman's Knock
    The Paper Seahorse always seals our calligraphy kits with a tasteful wax stamp depicting a seahorse!

    A Few Helpful Tips to Successfully Wrap a Gift

    Some gifts can be tricky to wrap, so take it slow and be patient with yourself if things don’t go as planned! In that case, just take a deep breath, carefully unwrap the gift, and start again. Remember, too, that you don’t have to wrap a complicated gift every time. Eye-catching wrapping paper can go a long way, and an unconventional addition — like a small sprig of winter greenery — can make your gift presentation pop!

    Floral Artistic Gift Tags | The Postman's Knock
    No sealing wax? No problem! Try adding some winter greenery instead.

    My best tip for wrapping gifts is to pull everything tight! The wrapping paper should be taut across the gift, with crisp, confident edges. Ribbon/twine should also hug the gift tightly. The tighter you can get everything, the more professional the gift presentation will look!


    I hope that this little video tutorial + written explanation helps you to make a few beautiful gift presentations this holiday season! If you have any questions or suggestions, I invite you to contribute to the comments. It’s always fantastic to hear from you! Otherwise, continue to enjoy your holiday season, and we’ll reconvene on Monday with a newsletter you won’t want to miss. (If you’re not signed up for the TPK newsletter, you can do so by clicking here!)

    Warmly,

    Lindsey's Signature | The Postman's Knock

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About the author

Hi, I’m Lindsey Bugbee, the illustrator, calligrapher, and author behind The Postman’s Knock (TPK). Since 2012, the TPK Blog has been a vibrant creative space filled with tutorials and lessons on modern calligraphy, hand lettering, and illustration. After publishing The Calligraphy Book, I wanted to elevate the quality of content even further—so I launched TPK Premium. You can join here to receive access to some of the internet’s best creative inspiration and project tutorials.

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59 responses

  1. Ee Von Hon Avatar
    Ee Von Hon
    January 7, 2019

    My favourite part but I don’t have enough packages to wrap unfortunately!

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  2. Vanessa Davis Avatar
    Vanessa Davis
    January 7, 2019

    This is is creative!

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  3. mojobeenster Avatar
    mojobeenster
    January 7, 2019

    This was a timely subject for me, as my sister, her husband and both daughters all have their birthdays between Dec 25 and Jan 28th. And I never double up Birthday and Christmas gifts. !

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  4. dawn_slp Avatar
    dawn_slp
    January 7, 2019

    I can see any gift wrapped like these being photographed before it’s opened. I know I would!

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  5. Collese Dahlberg Avatar
    Collese Dahlberg
    January 3, 2019

    I’ve always loved giving a beautifully wrapped gift, but never would have thought to use a wax seal. That took me back to the 70’s. Thank you.

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  6. kit Avatar
    kit
    January 1, 2019

    Wax seals are such a nice touch. I have one for weddings to make cards extra special. I am thinking of getting one for birthday or everyday use. Thanks for the other tips. I would love to incorporate more calligraphy once I improve.

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  7. Shu Avatar
    Shu
    January 1, 2019

    Great idea! Thanks for sharing!

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  8. Bianca Huinac Avatar
    Bianca Huinac
    December 31, 2018

    I love this so much! I love personalizing the presents I give instead of just putting them in a regular gift bag. I’ve been decorating plain bags and packages myself and using handwritten calligraphy notes and now i think I’ll be adding a wax seal!

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  9. Dorina D Avatar
    Dorina D
    December 31, 2018

    Love this idea. Gonna have to try it next year for birthdays in January.

    Log in to Reply
  10. Sue Gatherum-Goss Avatar
    Sue Gatherum-Goss
    December 31, 2018

    Thanks so much for these tips and also the beautiful paper to print. I love the sealing wax through a hot glue gun. 🙂 I will definitely be trying that one out.

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I love watching project timelapses — like a comp I love watching project timelapses — like a complicated calligraphy or watercolor project coming together in a matter of seconds. A cleaning timelapse, then, is a no-brainer! My friend mentioned that she does these when she needs a little extra motivation to tidy up. I was totally feeling that this weekend, so I made a couple of these. The anticipation of knowing that I’d get to watch the room become neat in an instant was actually incredibly motivating. It’s the little things, right? 😉 #cleaningtimelapse #cleaning #tidyingup #neatandtidy
🖍️ We have a million crayons laying around be 🖍️ We have a million crayons laying around because my kids love to color (right now, their pages of choice are K-Pop Demon Hunter-themed). While I’m always down for some adult coloring, I also love to letter with crayons! In the latest TPK tutorial — link in bio — you’ll learn how to make this cozy ombré wax crayon calligraphy. 🍁 Switch up the color scheme if you’re not a pumpkin spice person! This technique looks great with light blue, dark blue, and dark purple; or light green, dark green, and dark blue. #crayoncalligraphy #crayolacrayons #waxcrayons #adultcoloring #autumnart #cozylettering #handlettering #lettering
A couple of days ago, I posted a clip from Lesson A couple of days ago, I posted a clip from Lesson 1 of the new Beginner’s Modern Calligraphy Online Course (seriously, join us — enrollment is a *steal* at $5/month, and you get complimentary tutorials [that happen to complement the course] — link in bio)! People seemed to like the story in that clip, so here’s another fun story from the same lesson. Sorry, I can’t confirm who the client was! That was a project with an NDA (Non-Disclosure Agreement). 🤐 Still: a very fun, very cool experience ... I’m grateful that calligraphy has given me cool adventures and connected me to such an amazing community. ✍️

#calligraphystory #moderncalligraphy #learncalligraphy #beginnercalligraphy #pointedpencalligraphy #calligraphy
Lesson 1 of TPK’s Beginner’s Modern Calligraph Lesson 1 of TPK’s Beginner’s Modern Calligraphy Online Course doesn’t actually start with the pointed pen! ✍️ Instead, we ease into it with faux calligraphy and then pencil calligraphy. Here’s a little preview of what the pencil calligraphy lesson looks like. ✏️

If you’ve been wanting to learn calligraphy, join us in this course. It is an absolute *steal* because it’s included with your TPK Premium membership ($5/month - cancel anytime). Once the course concludes in January, you can choose to purchase lifetime access to the videos; or just continue on with us to the next course. For more information, visit the link in my bio!

#learncalligraphy #pointedpencalligraphy #moderncalligraphy #pencilcalligraphy #blackwingpencil #pencilart #letteringart #handlettering #modernlettering #artisticletters #artisticlettering
I’m editing videos for the new Beginner’s Mode I’m editing videos for the new Beginner’s Modern Calligraphy Online Course (🎉 JOIN US! link in profile for enrollment info!!) — and wanted to share this story from Lesson 1. In that lesson, we’ll chat about how to develop your motivation (this story is part of me sharing mine); and we’ll ease into our pointed pen experience with faux calligraphy and pencil calligraphy. Step by step, you’ll develop skills that will serve you for a lifetime ... and surprise and delight those around you, just like my “rent check envelopes” did! ✉️

#mailart #moderncalligraphy #learncalligraphy #storytime #calligraphy #snailmail #snailmailrevolution
Some recipes aren’t just instructions — they’re memories on a page. 💛 I spent some time illustrating one of my favorites, and it turned into the sweetest (literally) keepsake. Calligraphy, watercolor, and a little patience bring the story of a dish to life.

If you’d like to try illustrating your favorite recipe, too, I shared the full process (with helpful printables) on the TPK Blog — link in bio. ✨

#illustratedrecipe #calligraphyart #watercolorillustration #creativeproject #keepsakeart #slowcreativity #handletteringlove #moderncalligraphy #calligraphyinspiration #watercolorart
As much as cooking is an art, illustrating a recip As much as cooking is an art, illustrating a recipe takes it one step further. ✨ In TPK’s latest tutorial (link in bio), I’ll show you how to create an illustrated chocolate lava cake recipe using watercolor. You’ll find helpful PDFs and step-by-step instructions so you can follow along — or use the layout to bring one of your own favorite dishes to life.

Frame it as keepsake art, or give it as a thoughtful handmade gift this holiday season. 🎁

#illustratedrecipe #watercolorart #calligraphycommunity #foodillustration #arttutorial #watercolortutorial #creativeprojects #handmadegifts #keepsakeart #thepostmansknock
✨ One of the most beloved assignments from Lesso ✨ One of the most beloved assignments from Lesson 5 of Hand Lettering 101 was this playful project: design an artistic alphabet where no two letters look the same.

The idea? JUST PLAY. 🎨 I used watercolor and a paintbrush, but many students grabbed markers, pens, or anything colorful on hand. The results were incredible — @adriennelovesletters gave it her own flair, Isabel C. made it three times, and Laura M. created a stunning version too. (You can peek at more inside the TPK Premium Discord!)

If you’re ready to try this project yourself, you’ll find the Hand Lettering 101 eCourse waiting in the TPK Catalog. Just head to the link in my bio to be taken to the TPK website. 💌

#handlettering #watercolorlettering #moderncalligraphy #letteringpractice #creativeplay #calligraphycommunity #artinspiration #calligraphyart #watercolorart #letterlove #tpkpremium #handlettering101
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