Custom Christmas Gift Boxes vs Traditional Wrapping Paper
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Custom Christmas Gift Boxes vs. Traditional Wrapping Paper: Which Wins?

date read icon September 29, 2025
festive packaging ideas

Whenever we make up our mind to give a gift to someone, one thing should always be kept in mind. And that is the presentation of a gift. It is as important as the gift itself.

Christmas is a high time when gift giving becomes as common as drinking water. As per report, Americans spend more than $900 only on Christmas every year. But grabbing the attention of customers who are conscious of buying products to give to their loved ones is not quite easy.

So, as a brand competing in the niche, you might have an exclusive product range that you think people would love to give to their loved ones. But what you need to stand out and be sure to be chosen by onlookers is your product packaging. Because only choosing the right packaging can magnify the overall gifting experience for both the parties.

For giving your Christmas gift products a presentable feel, there are two popular packaging options. One is gift boxes and the other is wrapping paper. And it is observed that people buy such products that come in splendidly decorated and designed Christmas gift boxes instead of wrapping paper.

The reason for this preference is that gift boxes are more easy to handle, and are also strong enough than a thin wrapping paper that can easily be torn.

Both of these custom holiday packaging options have their own advantages and disadvantages. And this blog is totally focused on discussing these options individually so you know which goes best for your products.

Why Do Gifts Need Packaging?

Presentation of gift and greatly influence the receiving gesture. And beautifully packed not only reflect the sentiments of the giver but also increase the perceived value of the gift itself.

For people, choosing a product that is packed in beautiful packaging that is also gift-worthy holds very much importance. People on the receiving end connect with the gift wrapping on an emotional level.

So you must make sure that your products are packed in such gift boxes that not only compel onlookers to buy but also strengthen your brand.

Keep in mind that branded gift packaging with your personal brand message tends to leave memorable impressions on customers as well as the recipients.

Now let us discuss the gift wrapping paper and the Christmas gift boxes individually to learn which option is suitable for your gift packaging needs.

Gift Wrapping Paper


Wrapping paper is the most traditional method and in use for ages to cover and decorate gifts. It is available in the form of rolls of various lengths and features many patterns, colors, and finishes.

Using wrapping paper lets you be creative. You can also improve the appearance by adding ribbons or bows to make the gift look special.

Advantages of Wrapping Paper for Gifts


The major benefits of using gift wrapping paper include its ability to personalize gifts, its cost-effectiveness, and the sense of excitement it creates. It also gives hints to receivers about the product packed inside.

Personal Touch

Wrapping paper adds a creative and personal element to gifts. It comes in many styles ranging from glossy to matte finishes.

Combine different wrapping papers, along with ribbons or decorative bows, to make each gift look unique.

Affordable

Compared to gift boxes, wrapping paper is generally less expensive. Buying rolls or selecting wrapping paper after holidays often provides additional savings. A single roll can cover multiple gift products, which further lowers the overall incurred costs.

Surprise Factor

Unwrapping a gift is an enjoyable experience, and gift wrapping paper adds to this excitement. It builds anticipation as you peel back the paper, making the entire process of giving and receiving presents more enjoyable.

Disadvantages of Gift Wrapping Paper


We cannot get fixated on just the benefits mentioned above. The drawbacks of using gift wrapping paper can never be ignored.

  1. Waste Generation: Wrapping is only used once and discarded the moment the gift is unwrapped. According to a study, only the USA approximately produces 4.6 million pounds of waste of wrapping paper annually. This results in increased land waste and harm to the environment. Also, due to different finishes on wrapping papers, recyclability is not a possibility every time.

  2. Time and Effort Consuming: We all are familiar that wrapping a gift is too much time and effort consuming. There is no second opinion in this. Plus, we also know no one has got the time to sit down and wrap a gift because life has become more hectic. Also, there are skills required to perfectly wrap a gift as it is more than just scissors and tape. So, it is not everyone’s cup of tea.

  3. Fragile and Easy to Tear: Wrapping paper is just “paper”. And just like every paper, it is easily torn with a little to no effort or even due to mishandling. This can result in an unpleasant looking gift that won’t grab as much attention as the perfectly wrapped one.

  4. Initial Packaging Requirements: Wrapping does not mean to directly wrap around the product. The product needs a primary or initial packaging then that packaging is wrapped to give a proper gift feel. Wrapping paper is not a suitable option even when the package does not have a regular shape.

Custom Christmas Gift Boxes


Boxes as we all know are made to securely hold the products. But if we think they are limited for just protective storage then it is very wrong. Boxes hold the power to give a splendid visual outlook to any product packed inside them. Another benefit is branding; boxes can be made to improve brand image as well.

Compared to gift wrapping paper, gift boxes are an exceptional alternative you can use to showcase your Christmas themed products on the shelves.

To know in depth, let’s look at the benefits you can get when using gift boxes for presenting products meant for the Christmas season.

Advantage of Christmas Gift Boxes


Decorative Christmas gift boxes offer many benefits which make them a splendid choice for businesses who want to show their products in such a way that customers can even use them as gifts. Here are few advantages discussed below:

Aesthetics

Gift boxes can be made with beautiful patterns and vivid color tones. With our plenty of customization options, you have the freedom to make your boxes look more beautiful. These options include embossing/debossing and multiple finishing choices.

For businesses, printed Christmas gift boxes can also be a splendid branding medium. When you put your brand specific design on the boxes, you can make your brand stand above all in the competition.

Take holiday promotions as an example, businesses have the option to customize the gift boxes with Christmas specific designs. Products with this kind of packaging are the most suitable choice to be used as a gift by customers to their loved ones. Our experts are available for your assistance for stylish presentation ideas.

Convenience

One of the prominent advantages of Christmas gift boxes is their convenience.

Because as compared to wrapping paper where a person has to be skillful to cut, fold, and tape around the product or product packaging, Christmas gift boxes are very straightforward. You just have to put the product inside the box and VOILA, a gift box is ready.

This not only saves time but is effortless, especially during the busy Christmas season. At Print247, you have the option to make your gift boxes into different shapes and sizes to accommodate different products like small jewelry gifts or clothing products.

Gift boxes don't require the products to be packed in initial packaging like wrapping paper.

Also consider when your customers have a little time in their hand and they are strolling the aisles to buy a gift for their loved one, then your beautifully wrapped gift in Christmas gift boxes will definitely be their first choice.

Reusability

As discussed above, wrapping paper is discarded after only one use. But this is not the case with specially designed Christmas gift boxes. They are here to stay at least until the Christmas season ends.

Meaning when customers buy products to gift to their loved ones, those receivers can further put the box to pack something else and hand it over as a gift to someone else. And the cycle goes on and on.

This helps to reduce land waste unlike wrapping paper and also the boxes are recyclable, leaving no harm on the environment.

Environmental Friendliness

Plenty of businesses use Christmas gift boxes made from recycled materials like Kraft. They are totally recyclable and leave no residue for future generations to bear witness.

Wrapping paper, either crumbled or shredded, leaves litter and waste everywhere unlike recyclable and eco-friendly boxes.

In a nutshell, using gift boxes is much better for the environment and minimizing waste disposal costs.

Disadvantages of Christmas Gift Boxes


While boxes for Christmas gifts offer many advantages, there is still room for cons or disadvantages that need to be considered:

  1. Limited Life: Although available in a plethora of designs and sizes, gift boxes are not meant to last forever. They are only meant to be used for the ongoing Christmas season and when they have fulfilled their purpose, they must be discarded in recycle bins for the safety of the environment.

  2. Higher Costs: Compared to wrapping paper, boxes cost more. And when customization is included the cost goes up a notch. Although they cost more, they provide more benefits than the cost put into their making.

  3. Lack of Versatility: Christmas gift boxes are, well, used only for the Christmas season and no other occasion. The reason for this is the theme printed on them is only relevant to be used around Christmas. But still, they fulfil their purpose quite well.

Custom Christmas Gift Boxes or Wrapping Paper? Choosing The Best One

In the above sections, we have discussed all the pros and cons of both the packaging options. And in our opinion, you have more customization freedom and usability in gift boxes rather than in wrapping paper.

Another fact we would like to add is that boxes are aimed to protect the products as well while giving off distinctive visual appeal. Whereas wrapping paper just wraps around the product or initial packaging without adding any protective layer like boxes.

Another distinguishing point is recyclability, boxes tend to be more eco-friendly than wrapping paper because some finishes on the wrapping papers prove to be difficult to recycle.

In a nutshell, and our concrete answer for your question of choosing between both the custom holiday packaging options is decorative Christmas gift boxes.

Print247 – Your Ideal Christmas Packaging Solution Provider

Just knowing about which packaging option to choose is never enough. What you need is the services of a proficient box packaging supplier like us to meet your packaging needs.

At Print247, we make it our goal to facilitate your box printing and designing needs. So that you design such gift worthy boxes that your customers can just buy at a glance and give away to their family, friends, and loved ones on Christmas.

Apart from visual distinction, you also have the freedom to size and shape your boxes to match your marketing theme during the most rushy time of Christmas.

Contact our experts now to get a quote for your required gift boxes or if you need stylish presentation ideas for the boxes.

Author: Bill ‘Hogg’ Ryan
AUTHOR

Bill ‘Hogg’ Ryan

Bill is a Houston-based packaging writer with 6 years in the industry. His hands-on career began with printing machines; he has built profound expertise in custom packaging solutions across multiple sectors, including cosmetics, food, and retail. A recognized industry contributor in the State. Bill now shares insights through writing, focusing on packaging trends and innovations. In his leisure time, he can be seen riding his favorite Stallion, ‘Tex,’ or jamming to country music.