Gift Tag Tips & Techniques

"Oooh, who is that beautiful gift for?" ... "This one looks intriguing - who's it from?" There's no question that the gift tag gets noticed, so it deserves to be more than just an afterthought. Fortunately, it's easy and inexpensive to put creative, well-coordinated tags on your gifts.

The most formal gift tag is a small card in an envelope, just right if you want to include a private message. You can usually find tag-sized cards with envelopes at stationery stores and florist shops.

The least formal gift label isn't a tag at all - just write the "To" and "From" on the wrapped package or gift ribbon (test first to see if the ink runs). Calligraphy is nice, if you feel inspired, or you might use a stencil or self-stick letters.

The easiest gift tag is the one you buy. Matching tags are supplied with some wrapping papers and gift bags; otherwise, look for sheets of self-stick gift labels or packs of tags with punched holes and pre-cut strings.

Print-your-own gift tag templates are available online. Many can be customized, and some are free and ready to print or download:

• Free Printable Gift Tags (see categories in menu)
• Alenka's Printables (click on tag to enlarge)
• Christmas tag designs in black and white for you to color
• Sheet of Dr. Seuss tags in black and white for you to color

• You can purchase pre-cut tags or make your own. Use white or colored cardstock (index weight is good). Cut geometric or other simple shapes (cookie cutters or simple coloring-book figures make good patterns). To add interest, cut with pinking shears or decorative-edge scissors (here's a good source for fancy-edge scissors).



• You can recycle used greeting cards. Choose a nice part of the design, where the reverse side is blank. Cut a tag along the shape of the design, or cut a geometric or other interesting shape. You can center the design and write the "To" and "From" on the back, or position the design to one side, leaving a blank space for "To" and "From" on the front. A recycled card design may also allow room to make a fold-over tag.



• It's easy to make fold-over gift tags with plain cardstock - just fold the cardstock, trace a pattern so it slightly overlaps the fold, and cut (but don't cut away the fold!).



• A perfectly matched gift tag is quick and easy to make from your wrapping paper - and a good way to recycle unwrinkled scraps of used wrapping paper. Choose a small element of the design to feature on the front, then cut a rectangle twice as long (or tall), fold it in half like a small card, and write the "To" and "From" names on the inside.

• Tape is a quick and easy way to affix the tag to the package. Double-stick tape won't show - but if you use regular tape, tuck the taped edge/corner of the tag slightly under the bow. Be sure the tag can be turned over or opened if necessary, to read the "To" and "From."



• A hanging gift tag looks nice dangling down the side of a tall gift. Any sort of tie will do - use a piece that's long enough to reach from the bow, across the top of the gift, and partway down the side. Affix one end to the tag and tape the other end beneath the bow.



• A tie-on gift tag can use string, yarn, narrow ribbon, curling ribbon, raffia, decorative cord, you name it! You'll need to punch a small hole in the tag - at the top, side, or in a corner. You may wish to invest in a punch that makes tiny holes for string, or one that punches a heart, flower, star, or other-shaped hole (here's a good source for decorative punches).



• To attach a string or narrow ribbon, fold a 6" length in half and push the folded end through the hole in the tag, front to back, to form a loop. Push the two loose ends through the loop, then pull the ends until the loop is snug against the tag. Use the two loose ends to tie the tag to the gift.



• To attach thick yarn or decorative cord, push one end through the hole and tie a knot to prevent it slipping out. The other end of the cord can be concealed beneath the bow.

• Cut 'n paste photos or designs from magazines or calendars
• Purchase stickers or self-stick decorations from craft supply or fine paper shops
• Use rubber stamps - color in the designs with markers
• Glue on a bit of glitter and/or sequins to enhance designs
• Use small photos in place of the "To" and/or "From" names
• Purchase punched or die-cut shapes from craft supply or fine paper shops - layer graduated sizes of the same shape for a 3-dimensional look.
• Glue on designs cut from paper doilies
• Tie or glue on silk or paper flowers & greenery sprigs; skeleton leaves
• Tie or glue on small candy canes or other wrapped candies
• Glue on a border of lace or rick rack or decorative cord

It's fun to make one or two large, particularly nice gift tags for re-use within the family. Make a chart on the reverse, showing the date, to, from, and occasion, and family members will enjoy having turns as the donor or recipient. Over the years, these "historical" tags bring back warm and entertaining memories.