Bring natural charm to your holiday gifting with these simple DIY Christmas book wrapping ideas! If you’re giving a book this season and want your wrapping to look unique and handcrafted, these two easy tutorials are for you. Each Christmas gift wrap project uses kraft paper, fresh cedar, and simple decorative touches to create something special. It’s festive, eco-friendly, and wonderfully scented — no fancy materials required. So let’s get started! Follow these simple steps to create a handmade, rustic, magazine-worthy gift wrap that you’ll get rave reviews on!
Tutorial #1: Christmas Tree Design using Cedar
This first design adds a mini Christmas tree to your wrapped book! It’s simple, stunning, and smells just like the holidays. Using fresh cedar, and a wooden star, this natural design will make your gift look straight out of a cozy holiday magazine.
Supplies You’ll Need
- A book you want to wrap (hardcover or paperback)
- Kraft or brown wrapping paper
- Tape (clear or double-sided)
- Fresh or faux cedar sprigs (I recommend fresh cedar – it smells amazing!!)
- Small silver or pearl beads (for ornaments)
- Wooden star decoration (for the tree topper)
- Natural twine or jute string
- White paint pen or gel marker (for snowflake details)
Step 1: Wrap the Book
Using kraft paper, wrap the book using the standard gift wrapping technique. 
Step 2: Add the Cedar and the Wooden Star
Time to decorate! On the back side of the wrap, glue a cedar sprig — this will be your mini Christmas tree. Cedar not only looks beautiful but also brings a subtle, fresh forest scent that reminds me of Christmas. Next, glue a wooden star to the top of the cedar. This simple detail gives your “tree” a beautiful finishing touch. You can find small wooden stars at most craft stores (or make one yourself from cardstock), or you can improvise and just draw one on too (or use another type of decoration you have on hand). 
Step 3: Draw Snowflakes
Now it’s time to get creative! Using a white paint pen or gel marker, draw small snowflakes or starbursts around the cedar tree. They don’t need to be perfect — simple, irregular shapes look charming and handmade. A few scattered white stars against the brown kraft paper really make the whole design pop. 
Step 4: Add the Ornaments
To decorate your cedar tree, glue small beads onto the branches to mimic tiny ornaments. Silver, pearl, or metallic beads work especially well and add just the right amount of sparkle without overwhelming the natural look. If you can’t find beads, I’ve seen bauble-like stickers at dollar stores, which would give the same vibe. This tiny detail makes the entire wrapping come together — it’s simple, natural, and gives the gift that perfect festive touch. 
And You’re Done!
Congrats! You’ve just created a charming, nature-inspired DIY Christmas-wrapped book with cedar! This wrapping idea is perfect for book lovers, teachers, or anyone who appreciates handmade touches. Watch the full video tutorial for this project below!
Tutorial #2: Christmas Book Wrapping with a Greeting Card Pocket
If you love wrapping gifts that look as thoughtful as they feel, this next idea is perfect for you. It features a built-in pocket on the front — perfect for tucking in a Christmas card, photo, or handwritten note — and a sprig of fresh cedar for a festive touch.
Supplies You’ll Need
- A gift you want to wrap (it’ll need to have a flat shape, a book works great for this!)
- Kraft or brown wrapping paper
- Tape (clear or double-sided)
- Fresh or faux cedar sprigs (As always, fresh ones smell amazing!)
- Natural twine or jute string
- Optional: Christmas card or handwritten note
Step 1: Wrap the Book
- Place the book in the center of your kraft paper.
- Fold one long edge of the paper over the book and tape it.
- Fold each side inward at an angle so the edges meet in the centre, creating a triangular “roof” shape that meets in the center. Tape to secure.
- Fold and tape the bottom edge to finish the wrap
Check the full video below to get a visual guide on how to fold it! This folding technique creates a small pocket on the front – This is my favorite part of this design, I can tuck in a card or a small accent which add an extra surprise for the recipient!
Step 2: Add a Personal Touch
Slip a Christmas card, a handwritten note, or a small photo into the front pocket you created earlier. You can also tuck in a cinnamon stick, a pinecone, or a sprig of cedar for added texture and scent. These small touches make the gift feel even more thoughtful and personal.
Step 3: Finish with Twine
Wrap natural twine or jute string around the book, either horizontally or diagonally like ribbon. Tie a simple bow at the front to secure everything in place. The twine adds beautiful texture and completes the rustic look!
And That’s It!
You now have a simple, beautiful, and personal wrapping design that makes your gift look extra special. This pocket-style wrap is perfect for anyone who loves adding small, heartfelt touches to their presents. Here’s the full video tutorial for this project below!
Final Thoughts
Congrats! You’ve just created a charming, nature-inspired DIY Christmas-wrapped book with cedar! Both of these wrapping ideas are perfect for book lovers, teachers, or anyone who appreciates handmade touches. You can also use this wrapping idea to any flat type gifts for Christmas, you can just adjust the size for your kraft paper. It’s proof that you don’t need fancy paper or store-bought bows to make a gift look special- . Sometimes, the most beautiful wrapping comes straight from nature. If you’ve fallen in love with using cedar for your holiday crafts, you’ll definitely enjoy exploring more DIY projects that showcase how versatile cedar can be during the festive season. Learn how to decorate your napkins with cedar for a beautifully styled Christmas dinner table, or discover how to create a holiday-themed greenery centerpiece to bring natural charm to your dining space. Don’t forget to check out more DIY Christmas decor ideas here at You Floral, your source for DIY floral and greenery projects for any season! Stay tuned for more Christmas book wrapping ideas in our DIY projects! Thanks for joining me, and happy wrapping! 🎄✨
