Upcycled Cardboard Gift Tags (3 Ways)

So, have I mentioned how terrible I am at wrapping gifts? You'd think, being the crafty type, that I'd be at least decent at gift wrapping but no. I just can't seem to cut the paper straight or get the corners folded just so. By the end, my presents usually look like they were mauled by a wild animal. On top of that, I also always forget to buy gifts tags for things, so when we go to one of my kids' friends' birthday parties, I end up having to pull out random Christmas tags in the middle of summer. You'd think I'd stick to gift bags by now.

Rachel at Lines Across recently launched Let's Wrap Stuff, a website devoted to all things gift wrap related, and challenged a group of us to come up with a creative gift wrapping idea involving plain kraft paper. I was a little hesitant to accept because I'm pretty sure she wasn't going for "slightly mangled package" for my part of her lovely collage. Thankfully, kraft paper is more rigid than traditional wrapping so it's pretty forgiving, and the true star of my project is actually the gift tags!

Like I said, I have a problem keeping gift tags on hand but I also have a slight obsession with cereal (my go-to breakfast of choice!), so I  gathered up all my cardboard boxes and came up with three fun ways to make upcycled cardboard gift tags for the holidays. Less waste, and now I don't have an excuse for not having gift tags on hand!

Ready to rip some boxes apart??

SUPPLIES: cardboard boxes, gift tag template, scissors, pencil, acrylic paint, Mod Podge, glitter, duct tape or washi tape, hole punch.

Creating The Tags:

ONE: first, gather up your cardboard boxes. Carefully rip them open.
TWO: print out the gift tag template above, and trace onto one of your cardboard box panels.
THREE: cut out!

Duct Tape Tags:

Cover the printed side of your cardboard tag with duct tape and trim off excess. Done!

Glitter Gift Tags:



Coat the printed side of your cardboard tag with a generous layer of Mod Podge. Sprinkle on glitter and let dry.

Polka Dot Gift Tags:

Coat the printed side of your cardboard tag in your paint of choice and let dry. After your first layer is dry, paint or stamp on polka dots in a contrasting color.

And there you go! Easy recycled gift tags 3 different ways. And hopefully, people will pay attention more to the tags than my wrapping job ;)

Check out all of the amazing projects that everyone came up with using plain kraft paper!

1. Pom Pom Ice Cream Cone Gift Wrap by Let's Wrap Stuff 2. Embroidered Wrapping Paper by Lines Across 3. Holiday Lights Gift Wrap by Burlap and Blue 4. Printable DIY Watercolor Gift Tags by Dawn Nicole 5. Chalkboard Painted Wrapping Paper by The Winthrop Chronicles 6. Let it Snow Neighbor Gift Printable by Ginger Snap Crafts 7. Upcycled Cardboard Gift Tags 3 Ways by Eat. Sleep. Make. 8. Kraft Paper Gift Card Envelope Printables by Delia Creates 9. Make + Give Christmas Tree Gift Topper by Make and Tell 10. DIY Wrench Wrapping Paper by Maker Mama 11. DIY Stamped Trees Gift Wrap by Shaken Together Life 12. Brown Paper Packages by Delineate Your Dwelling 13. Yarn Tassel Gift Wrap 2 Ways by Hands Occupied 14. Holiday Writing with Washi Tape by Club Chica Circle 15. Glitter-Dipped Gift Tags by The Thinking Closet 16. Coffee Container Christmas Gift Tags by Simply Kelly Designs 17. Gift Wrapping Ideas by C.R.A.F.T. 18. Holiday Gift Wrap Ideas by Making Home Base 19. Sewn Brown Paper Gift Card Gift Giving by Dream a Little Bigger 20. Chalkboard Gift Tag & Ornament by Tried and True 21. Easy Holly Ornament Gift Tag by Rae Gun Ramblings 22. Printable Hand-Lettered Christmas Tags by Persia Lou 23. Christmas Gift Wrapping Ideas by Eighteen25 24. Washi Tape Christmas Tree Gift Card Box by That's What Che Said