Vintage Christmas Gift Tags & More Wrapping Ideas
Add a personal touch to your holiday gifts with these DIY vintage Christmas gift tags! Made with cotton canvas, iron-on transfers and free vintage Christmas printables, these fabric gift tags are a beautiful way to dress up simple kraft paper wrapping. I’m sharing step-by-step instructions, printable designs and more Christmas gift wrapping ideas for a classic, collected look with a little vintage charm.
Do you enjoy wrapping Christmas gifts as much as I do? At the end of October (or sooner), I start thinking about what my theme will be for the upcoming season. Last year it was a mix of natural, black and red with handmade chalkboard gift tags. This time, I decided to stick with neutrals (black, white & cream) and add a bit of vintage and greenery for a classic, natural look.
To embellish gifts this year, I decided to make some vintage canvas gift tags. They do a great job of dressing up plain kraft paper wrap. I already had the supplies on hand (which was a life saver because I really didn’t want to trudge out in the snow and deal with the extremely cold weather we had over the weekend)!
If you recall my Valentine’s Day treat bags, the method for making these vintage Christmas gift tags is similar.
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DIY Vintage Christmas Gift Tags
Supplies and Tools
- cotton canvas or muslin
- eyelets and tool
- iron-on transfer paper- I prefer Lesley Riley TAP or try this one
- string (I used baker’s twine and jute)
- You will also need a hammer, scissors, inkjet printer and an iron
How to Make the Fabric Gift Tags
My tags measure about 4″ x 6″ (after being folded at the top), but you can make yours any size you’d like. Adjust according to the size of the graphic you want to use.
- Rip cotton canvas into lengths. Simply mark your fabric and snip a bit with your scissors, then rip.
- Fray each edge evenly by removing some of the threads (trim with scissors as necessary).
- Fold over at the top (about an inch), then press in place with the iron.
- Add an eyelet at the top for the string to go through.
Free Vintage Christmas Images & Gift Tag Printables
The vintage Christmas images are available for free from The Graphics Fairy. I put together 3 collections below that you can print onto iron-on transfer paper using an inkjet printer.
I highly recommend using Lesley Riley’s TAP (or use this one). It’s amazing stuff! I have outlined the steps along with photos using it HERE.
**Remember to print in mirror image, as well as black and white if that’s the look you prefer.
Simply click on each image grouping below (4 per page) to download and save as a PDF.
Snow Girl with Topiary & Swedish Santa
Bird Tree & Hand Drawn Snowflake
Bird with Holly & Pine Branch
Who Would Love These Handmade Gift Tags?
I think anyone who loves vintage finds, shabby chic style or those little handmade details will appreciate a gift wrapped with these Christmas tags. They add such a personal touch, especially paired with simple kraft paper and ribbon. If you have someone on your list who appreciates a collected, nostalgic look, this is a lovely way to make their gift feel a little more special.
Tie on a little string and they’re ready to embellish gifts.
More Ways to Use Fabric Christmas Gift Tags
These vintage-inspired fabric tags aren’t just for wrapping Christmas presents. They can be used in lots of other ways throughout the holiday season. Tie one onto a gift basket, add one to a bottle of homemade goodies (or wine), or use one as a finishing touch on a Christmas place setting. I love how something so simple can add a little handmade charm to holiday decorating and entertaining.
You can learn how to make the no-sew napkins for your holiday table too!
Digging the vintage gift wrapping ideas? Check out how my entire gift wrapping scheme came together. I love the Merry Christmas and HO HO HO tags too!
See these vintage gift tags featured in A Somerset Holiday Magazine!
More Christmas Gift Wrapping Inspiration
My friends from the Creative Canadian Hop Group are sharing some of their beautiful projects today.
From left to right, they are:
Personalized Santa Sacks by Fynes Designs
Vintage Christmas Gift Tags by Satori Design for Living
5 Fabulous & Fast Gift Wrap Ideas from The Happy Housie
Craft Paper & Boxwood Wreath Gift Wrap by Craftberry Bush
Burlap Wrapped Gifts by So Much Better With Age
Black & Red Gift Wrap Plus Bow Tutorial by A Pretty Life
DIY Christmas Bag Tutorial by Suburble
Vintage Map Christmas Gift Wrap & Gift Tags by Cozy DIY Home
Looking for more inspiration? Explore my collection of Christmas gift topper ideas for creative finishing touches, or check out my post on simple Christmas gift wrap supplies and steps for helpful tips to make your holiday wrapping look beautiful.
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Hope you enjoyed our Christmas gift wrap ideas!
These are beautiful Shauna, and such a great idea! I have never thought of doing this…thank you for the idea – it’s fantastic!
Thanks, Jo-Anna! It’s those little touches that make gifts special, right?
Oh My Goodness!! I’m dying over here. I love, love, love them Shauna. I’m definitely going to share these!
Hugs, Jamie
Thank you so much, girl! I had a feeling you’d like them!
These gift tags are SO beautiful! I love them! What a creative idea and executed so beautifully! This is right up my alley! Lovely job! Wishing you a wonderful week! Angie xo
Shauna these are absolutely beautiful!! Great job
These packages are so beautiful, I wouldn’t even want to open them!
These are lovely and it’s so nice that you made some prints available for others to use to make their own vintage Christmas gift tags. I especially like the way you kept it neutral almost modern looking mixed with the vintage printed. Very updated.
Thank you, Patti! I’m thrilled with how they turned out. That iron-on transfer paper is amazing stuff!
Perfection! Loving those gift tags so much!
Oh my gosh Shauna, these are outstandingly gorgeous. And you make it look so easy! I’m really tempted to give this a try! pinned! :)
Thank you! You should give them a whirl, they’re super easy!
These are so beautiful. I have to make some to add to my gifts this year. Lovely
Those are really cute! Love the neutral colors, too.
Eeeeekkkk, HOW did i miss this!? LOVE!
Thank you for stopping by, Laurie. Enjoy your day!