6 Creative Ways to Wrap Gift Cards Like a Pro

Despite the misconception that gift cards aren’t thoughtful or meaningful presents, 90% of people consider gift cards an appropriate 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 or mysterious to unwrap. 

Creative gift card wrapping shows the recipient that genuine care and time were invested in the present. Before tucking a card into a plain envelope, consider these creative ways to wrap a gift card.

1. Origami inserts

If you’re skilled at paper folding, origami is a great way to wrap gift cards in a unique and creative 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

2. 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, each with their own gift card in the treasure box

Source: hallmarkideas.com

3. Trick wrapping 

One of the best ways to wrap gift cards is to tuck one inside a larger package that imitates a specific object. 

For example, 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 ensure the wrapping follows 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!) 

4. 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 helpful 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

5. 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, place it inside a larger box, and continue adding boxes until you have 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

6. 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 bring any of these gift card wrapping ideas to life, check out all the physical gift cards available through RaiseRight, and buy your gifts with purpose. 

With every gift card purchased 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 fundraise with eGift cards, online shopping, local dining, and travel bookings!