How to Wrap Gift Cards Like a Pro

Gift cards are a hot commodity for the holidays! Despite the misconception that gift cards aren’t thoughtful or meaningful presents, 90% of people consider gift cards an appropriate item to gift. Additionally, for buyers, gift cards can limit overspending on gifts, as people spend 21.6% less when buying gift cards compared to other types of gifts.

However, gift cards can fall flat when it comes to handing over something fun and mysterious to unwrap. 

Creative gift card wrapping helps show the recipient that genuine care and time went into the present. Before you tuck a gift card into a plain envelope, consider these DIY gift card wrapping ideas to add excitement to your present and express your care. 

Origami inserts

If you’re skilled with paper folding, origami can show you how to wrap gift cards in a fun and unique way. 

Choose an animal or object that the recipient loves, or something related to the occasion or season, and scale it up large enough to tuck the gift card into a fold.

Source: kwernerdesign.com

Treasure hunting 

Turn a gift card into gold by placing it in a small wooden crate or bejeweled box along with chocolate coins and other small treasures to be found at the end of a series of clues. Consider the age and dexterity of the giftee before designing your hunt, which could: 

• Use the house, property, neighborhood, or whole town as the stage 
• Employ riddles or clues specific to the interests and reading level of the recipient
• Include multiple recipients, who each have their own gift card in the treasure box

Source: hallmarkideas.com

Trick wrapping 

Perhaps the best way to wrap gift cards is to tuck one inside a larger package that imitates a specific object. 

For instance, you could cut two tennis racquet cardboard shapes and crumple newspaper between them to imitate realistic thickness. Then, use extra tape, time, and folds to get the wrapping to follow the racquet shape as closely as possible. 

(Bonus points if the recipient has zero interest in tennis and is utterly flummoxed by the wrapped gift!) 

Pairing with a homemade item or sweets

A gift card can lead to exactly what someone wants, but it doesn’t always communicate the time and thought that went into it. On the other hand, handmade items can often be more heartwarming than useful to recipients. 

Consider pairing a practical gift card with a homemade item or food, such as: 

• A crocheted or knitted scarf
• Baked goods or candy
• A hand-drawn picture by a younger member of the family

Source: somethingturquoise.com

Nesting boxes

Put the envelope aside and try the Russian nesting doll approach to wrapping a gift card instead. Start with a small wrapped box, put it inside another larger box, and so on—and include as many as you’d like. 

You can add to the fun by: 

• Adding confetti to some boxes
• Employing product boxes that appear to be the final gift (but instead, hide a smaller box)
• Using a decoy gift that has to be taken apart to access the gift card as the final container

Media with meaning

You can use a gift card to introduce someone to the literature, film, music, or other pursuits that you love. This could include wrapping a: 

• Barnes & Noble gift card inside a favorite book with a note on what it means to you
• StubHub gift card in a classic concert or event t-shirt from your younger days
• Paramount+, AMC, or other film gift card, along with your top 10 favorite lists by genre

Source: Gift Wrapping Love on YouTube

Buy gift cards like a pro, too

Before you make any of these gift card wrapping ideas come to life, check out all the physical gift cards available through RaiseRight, and purchase your gifts with purpose. 

With every gift card made through RaiseRight, you can earn up to 20% back for your child’s school, sports team, or music program, or your preferred church or nonprofit. Help your favorite organization raise money without spending extra dollars or volunteer time. 

In addition to physical gift cards, RaiseRight users can generate earnings with eGift cards or by shopping online across hundreds of brands. Pro-tip: You can even earn twice by shopping online and using a RaiseRight gift card for the same brand!