50 DIY Christmas Gift Tags to Write Heartfelt Messages
Updated on December 14, 2022
Creating custom Christmas gift tags is a great way to make your presents more personalized for the recipients, even if they’re Secret Santa tags. This article describes the best ideas for DIY Christmas present tags.
Christmas gift tags are a fantastic way to make your presents more personal and special. In addition to providing a festive aesthetic, gift tags are practical for tracking who gave which present and which presents need to be wrapped or opened first. You can buy gift tags at craft stores or online, or make them home. DIY gift tags are better than store-bought counterparts for creating unique present labels and customizing them for each gift recipient. For example, use knitted mittens as gift tags for your grandmother who loves crocheting, or wood slice tags for a friend who is into rustic décor. Here is a list of the DIY Christmas gift tags you will find in this article:
- Knitting chart tags (free printable)
- Gingerbread men tags (free printable)
- Reindeer hug tags (free printable)
- Ugly sweater tags (free printable)
- Chalkboard tags (free printable)
- Want, Need, Make, Read tags (free printables)
- Mitten tags (free printable)
- Embroidered cardstock tags
- Embossed cardstock tags
- Magazine clipping tags
- Tags from scrapbook paper scraps
- Tags from paper scraps and epoxy resin
- Paper ornament tags
- Paper stocking tags
- Tea-dyed cardstock tags
- Black-and-neon cardstock tags
- Rudolph ornament tags
- Paper gnome tags
- Movable paper reindeer
- Knitted tags
- Tags from faux knit mittens
- Denim tags
- Leather tags
- Tags from wood grain vinyl
- Tags from wood slices
- Air-dry clay tags
- Polymer clay
- Salt dough tags
- Genuine cookie tags
- Upcycled luggage tags
- Upcycled business cards
- Tags from upcycled cereal boxes
- Upcycled greeting cards
- Christmas tree tags from upcycled cupcake cups
- Tags with tissue paper tassel decorations
- Tags with snowflake decorations
- Tags with tree and heart decorations
- Tags with 3D paper tree decorations
- Tags with paper quilling decorations
- Tags with embossed and metallic decorations
- Tags with marbled decorations
- Tags with glitter decorations
- Tags with faux holly sprig decorations
- Tags with button decorations
- Tags with photo decorations
- Tags with wreath decorations
- Tags with dried orange decorations
- Tags with a typography design
- Tags with ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas quotes
Read on to discover more information about each DIY Christmas gift tag, including necessary supplies and tutorial sources.
1. Knitting chart tags (free printable)
Use a knitting chart to make cozy Christmas gift tags with clean lines that your family and friends will surely appreciate. Eat Drink Chic provides a free printable for a knitting chart that you can print on paper to start working on your project right away. You will need a printer, cardstock, a hole punch, scissors, and red and white twine.
2. Gingerbread men tags (free printable)
Craft paper Christmas gift tags using printable gingerbread men. Visit Hale Grafx and download the free printable template to get started.
3. Reindeer hug tags (free printable)
The silhouette of a reindeer and the Peace, Love and Reindeer Hugs message make endearing Christmas gift tags for close friends and family. Go to Eat Drink Chic, download the free printable, and start working on this crafting project right away.
4. Ugly sweater tags (free printable)
Putting ugly sweaters on DIY Christmas gift tags would be a gag for family and friends aware of the ugly sweater trend. This homemade design belongs to Crafts by Amanda, so visit the websites to download the printable for free, print it on cardstock paper, make holes using a puncher, and add twine or ribbon.
5. Chalkboard tags (free printable)
Make elegant Christmas gift tags using a chalkboard-style design with white lettering against a black background and cute drawings. The chalkboard-style design is available as a free printable at World Label, courtesy of Lia Griffith.
6. Want, Need, Make, Read tags (free printables)
Make thoughtful Christmas gift tags for your friends and family marking them with Something you want, Something you need, Something you make, and Something you read. This DIY project idea belongs to Merriment Design and requires white cardstock, scissors, and clear tape. Visit Merriment Design to download the four printable templates for free and check out the complete instructions.
7. Mitten tags (free printable)
Easily make Christmas gift tags using a template for printable mittens available for free at Design Eat Repeat. The template is a simple outline that you can print on cardstock and cut to design flat gift tags in various colors.
8. Embroidered cardstock tags
Crafting embroidered gift tags for Christmas is an easy way to label presents using just a needle and thread. This DIY design is from our own repertoire and shows how to make a simple stitch using red thread, a sharpened pencil, a black marker, a pin, and tags. Use the same red thread to wrap the presents, creating a seamless design when paired with the tags. Check out our full guide for embroidering gift labels.
9. Embossed cardstock tags
Craft elegant Christmas gift tags using the embossing technique on cardstock by following this DIY tutorial from Inspiration Made Simple. The list of supplies includes an embossing machine, festive embossing folders, cardstock, scissors, a hole punch, and ribbon or twine. Use glittered cardstock for a touch of glamor.
10. Magazine clipping tags
Use magazine clippings to create in-vogue Christmas gift tags and take advantage of this opportunity to recycle old magazines you have been hoarding. This DIY project idea comes from We Are Scout and uses magazine or catalog pages, cardstock, a pencil, a ruler, scissors ora craft knife and a cutting mat, glue, a paint brush, and embellishments like glitter, washi tape, stickers and mini pom-poms. Check out We Are Scout to learn more.
11. Tags from scrapbook paper scraps
Scrapbook paper scraps are a great idea to make and customize Christmas gift tags. This DIY project comes from Simply Kelly Designs and requires the Silhouette Portrait cutting machine and mat, scrapbook paper, white cardstock, a printer, and paper adhesive. Go to Simply Kelly Designs, download the Christmas tags cut file for Silhouette Studio and follow all the instructions.
12. Tags from paper scraps and epoxy resin
Using paper scraps and epoxy resin is a great way to craft Christmas gift tags. This DIY project comes from Resin Obsession and uses clear resin, gloves, a cup, a stir stick, a timer, a piece of foam, tissue paper, Christmas cards, wrapping paper, empty tags, stamps, washi tape, ribbon, decoupage glue, adhesive dots, a hole punch, and various embellishments. The goal is to upcycle any leftover material. Check out Resin Obsession for more information.
13. Paper ornament tags
Craft Christmas gift tags using paper shaped as ornaments to add an extra festive touch to your presents and make the labels look store-bought. This DIY project comes from Crafting Cheerfully and requires decorative paper in various colors (like glitter paper), a pencil, scissors, a hole punch, glue, tape, and string. Go to Crafting Cheerfully, download the free template for the ornaments, and check out the complete guide.
14. Paper stocking tags
Natasha Barr shows you how to make DIY Christmas gift cards in the shape of stockings using paper. The stockings will have a hole inside, ideal for including a card. The list of supplies includes a printer, craft paper, wrapping paper, glue, scissors, red and white twine, and something heavy and flat, like a stack of books. The colors of the stockings depend on the patterns of the wrapping paper, so use wrapping paper in various festive patterns like white and red with pine trees, snowflakes, gingerbread men, candy canes, and so on. Visit Natasha Barr, download the free pattern, and follow the instructions to start working on this design. To make the gift tags extra special, glue an additional layer, such as white paper-shaped snowflakes.
15. Tea-dyed cardstock tags
Using tea-dyed cardstock is a great way to create vintage Christmas gift tags, especially when paired with a Santa Claus drawn with clear lines. Dyeing cardstock with tea is better than using brown cardstock for making retro gift tags. This project design belongs to Pops de Milk and uses white, pastel yellow and pastel pink cardstock, black tea, boiling water, a heat-resistant container large enough to fit the cardstock, dish cloths, a rolling pin, a cardstock printer, scissors, a hole punch, and twine. Check out Pops de Milk for more info.
16. Black-and-neon cardstock tags
Create funky Christmas gift tags with a neon design and a black overlay using washi tape. This DIY project belongs to Thinking Closet and requires washi tape in various patterns, white cardstock, scissors, a Silhouette cutting machine, black adhesive-backed cardstock, and a hole punch. Go to Thinking Closet, download the free template, and check out the complete guide.
17. Fabric scraps
Using fabric scraps to create DIY Christmas gift tags is easy, cheap, and leads to playful designs that pair well with plain gift wraps. This project design belongs to Upcycle My Stuff and calls for thin cardboard such as Amazon envelope packaging, fabric scraps of any size, a gift tag punch, scraps of ribbon or twine, fabric glue, sticky back paper or plain paper, and scissors or a rotary cutter. Head over to Upcycle My Stuff for the complete step-by-step instructions.
18. Rudolph ornament tags
Making Christmas gift tags out of Rudolph cardboard ornaments is a great way to keep children busy during the holiday. This DIY project belongs to Girl Just DIY and requires round cardboard ornaments, small red pom-poms, googly eyes, red ribbon, twigs for antlers, and a low-heat glue gun. Instead of round cardboard ornaments, you can cut ordinary cardboard in the shape of ornaments with the help of a template and make holes with a paper puncher. Check out Girl Just DIY for the complete guide.
19. Paper gnome tags
Turn paper-shaped gnomes into jolly Christmas gift tags by following this DIY project from Vintage Kitty. It requires paper in various colors, glue or tape, a black pen and a red crayon or a colored pencil, scissors, and string or ribbon. Crafting just one gnome takes a long time since you must cut out each part of the body and assemble the gnome by layering the cutouts. So it is a great way to keep kids occupied. Visit Vintage Kitty to download the gnome template and check out the assembly instructions.
20. Movable paper reindeer
Using a paper reindeer that moves is an awesome idea for crafting playful Christmas gift tags. This DIY design belongs to Eat Drink Chic and uses Kraft cards, white texture cards, craft brads, double-sided tape, scissors, a craft punch, a printer, a scalper, a ruler, and a cutting board. Go to Eat Drink Chic, download the reindeer templates, and follow the step-by-step instructions.
21. Knitted tags
Knitted gift tags would be unexpected for Christmas, so they are great way to surprise your loved ones with thoughtfully wrapped presents. This DIY project belongs to Designs by Diligence and requires crocheting skills. You will need worsted cotton yarn, a H/8 5mm hook, a tapestry needle, and embroidery thread. Check out Designs by Diligence for the knitting instructions.
22. Tags from faux knit mittens
Using faux knit mittens is a fantastic way to create Christmas gift tags and wrap fabric gifts, such as sweaters. This DIY project belongs to Tikkido and requires cardstock, yarn, and glue. Use a mitten cookie cutter or a free template from the Internet for the mitten shape. You do not need crocheting skills or a crocheting hook for these mittens. Make a simple chain using your fingers and glue it to a mitten-shaped cardstock. Head over to Tikkido for more info.
23. Denim tags
Using denim to create monogrammed Christmas gift tags is a great way to upcycle old jeans and make your presents seem store-bought. The idea for this DIY project comes from Pillar Box Blue and uses denim scraps, scissors, pins, a needle, thread, a tag to use as a template, white fabric paint, a letter stencil, an eyelet tool and eyelets, and ribbon. It is not necessary to wrap tags in denim since the material is sturdy enough to hold on its own. Head over to Pillar Box Blue for the full guide.
24. Leather tags
Using handmade leather is a stylish way to create Christmas gift tags and stamp them with a sweet message. This DIY project belongs to Weaver Leather Supply and asks for a steel square, a scratch awl, an art knife, a mallet, letter stamps, regular and glitter paint for leather, paint bruhes, string of thread, and painter’s tape. Head over to Weaver Leather Supply for the full guide.
25. Tags from wood grain vinyl
Create folksy Christmas gift tags from wood grain vinyl for people who appreciate rustic design. This DIY project idea belongs to Paper and Stitch and requires vinyl siding samples in various wood finishes, scissors, a small handheld drill, and a string for tying the tags to the presents. Use a Sharpie marker to write on vinyl. Head over to Paper and Stitch for additional information.
26. Tags from wood slices
Using wood slices is a fantastic way to create rustic Christmas gift tags. This DIY project comes from Homedit and requires a branch, a drill with a small drill bit, yarn, twine or ribbon, sandpaper, and a saw. Personalize the wood slices with names or festive designs using stickers, a Sharpie pen, or a wood-etching tool. Go to Homedit to get the full instructions.
27. Air-dry clay tags
Air-dry clay is a fantastic material for making personalized Christmas gift tags. It is similar to polymer clay and salt dough but does not require baking, which makes air-dry clay safe for kid crafts. This DIY project idea comes from Modern Glam and uses air-dry clay, ribbon or string, cookie cutters, a rolling pin, a toothpick for poking holes, acrylic paint for adding color, and letter stamps for creating monograms or messages. Since this design is customizable, use whatever you have on hand, such as Christmasy stamps or cookie cutters with festive shapes, like gingerbread men, Christmas trees, stars, or stockings. Go to Modern Glam for the complete tutorial.
28. Polymer clay
Using polymer clay is a fun way for adults and kids to craft Christmas gift tags together. This DIY project idea belongs to Happy Hour Projects and uses polymer clay, holiday-themed stamps, wax paper, rolling pin, a fine-tipped Sharpie marker for writing messages by hand, a bamboo skewer as a hole puncher, and small cutters. For instance, use cookie cutters with festive shapes, such as Christmas trees, snowflakes, gingerbread houses, and stockings. Check out Happy Hour Projects for additional information.
29. Salt dough tags
Use salt dough to make personalized Christmas gift tags by stamping or hand-painting the labels. Salt dough is just as malleable as polymer clay, and it’s a good choice for crafting projects when you do not have other materials to work with. The idea for this DIY design comes from A Piece of Rainbow and shows you how to prepare stamped salt dough gift tags. To make the salt dough, you will need all-purpose flour, salt, and water. The list of supplies also includes twine, stamps and stamping blocks, cookie cutters, and a straw for making holes. The gift tags will turn our black and white, but you can add color using watercolor paint or brush markers. Head over to A Piece of Rainbow for more information.
30. Genuine cookie tags
Bake authentic cookies to create delicious and edible Christmas gift tags for your friends with a sweet tooth. This DIY recipe idea comes from Pixel Whisk and requires bleached all-purpose flour, salt, sugar, unsalted butter, egg, lemon zest, pure vanilla extract, and colored sugars and silver dragées. The ingredient list for the royal icing includes confectioners sugar, meringue powder, water, vanilla extract, food coloring, and a zip lock or piping bags. You will also need a tag template, a straw to serve as a hole puncher, TO/FROM or alphabet rubber stamps, ribbons, and bags. Check out Pixel Whisk for the cooking and assembly directions.
31. Upcycled luggage tags
Upcycling luggage tags is a creative way to craft Christmas tags when paired with washi or craft tape. This DIY project idea comes from Angel In The North and uses a computer and a printer, sellotape, a pencil, empty luggage tags, white yarn, and washi or craft tape for additional embellishments. Check out Angel In The North for more information.
32. Upcycled business cards
Upcycling blank business cards and stamping them with festive shapes is a cool way to create Christmas gift tags. This DIY design idea comes from Calm Cradle and uses empty business cards, a hole punch, twine or ribbon, stamps, and stamp pads. Head over to Calm Cradle for additional details.
33. Tags from upcycled cereal boxes
Upcycling old cereal boxes is an innovative way to make Christmas gift tags since you will not have to spend so much money. This DIY project idea belongs to Creme de la Craft and uses a cereal box, scissors, a pen or pencil, scrap paper, glue, glitter, a hole punch, decorations such as buttons and ribbons, and a stencil like a cookie cutter for shaping the tags. Check out Creme de la Craft for more information.
34. Upcycled greeting cards
Upcycling old greeting cards is a smart way to craft Christmas gift cards. And you do not have to worry about picking a festive pattern since you must work with what you already have. This DIY project idea comes from Honestly Modern and uses old greeting cards, a tag punch or a ruler, pencil and scissors, and twine. Head over to Honestly Modern for more info.
35. Christmas tree tags from upcycled cupcake cups
Using holiday-themed cupcake cups to create Christmas trees is a charming idea for fancy DIY gift tags. This project design belongs to Molly Mell and requires cupcake and mini-muffin cups with festive patterns, scissors, double-sided tape, a needle, string, fancy tape for the finish, and various embellishments, such as beads, tiny bells, charms, and glitter glue. Head over to Molly Mell to get the full step-by-step instructions.
36. Tags with tissue paper tassel decorations
Using tassels made from bright-colored tissue paper is a cheerful way to craft Christmas gift tags. This DIY project design comes from our own collection and requires tissue paper in various colors, washi tape, ribbon, scissors, a hole punch, glue, and a free template available for download. Get all the instructions necessary for making tassel gift tags from our website.
37. Tags with snowflake decorations
Using snowflake cutouts is an easy and charming way to decorate Christmas gift tags by attaching them to brown tags. This project idea belongs to The Novice Chef and requires brown gift tags, ribbon or baker’s twine for stringing, red, green and white construction paper or cardstock, a snowflake hole punch, a TO/FROM stamp or an alphabet stamp, a stamp ink, and a glue gun. Head over to The Novice Chef for the complete step-by-step instructions.
38. Tags with tree and heart decorations
This trees and hearts DIY project from Curious and Catcat is a fantastic way to create discrete Christmas gift tags with a pop of color. The list of supplies includes light beige paper, red craft paper, scrapbook paper in at least three shades of dark green, brown scrapbook paper, paper glue, scissors, red yarn, a sewing machine, raffia ribbon, and a hole punch. Visit Curious and Catcat to get the full instructions.
39. Tags with 3D paper tree decorations
Use 3D paper trees to make delightful gift tags that perfectly match presents under the Christmas tree. The idea for this DIY project comes from Cardstock Warehouse and uses cardstock paper in various colors, glue, dimensional pop dots, coordinating eyelets, a binder clip, a snow marker, a heat tool, and string, twine, or ribbon. Visit Cardstock Warehouse, download the free printable, and check out the tutorial instructions.
40. Tags with paper quilling decorations
Paper quilling is a great technique for creating gorgeous Christmas gift tags since there are many approaches to designs. For example, Artsy Craftsy Mom creates adorable gift tags with paper-quilled apliqués in the shape of a reindeer, Santa’s boot, and candy cane. For this project, you need a quilling tool, quilling paper, blank white gift tags, googly eyes, festive-colored thread, and glue. Head over to Artsy Craftsy Mom for the step-by-step instructions.
41. Tags with embossed and metallic decorations
Decorate your Christmas gift tags with embossed and metallic patterns by following the DIY video guide provided by Paper Crave. The list of supplies includes X-ACTO basic shapes templates, X-ACTO precision-tip scissors, Kraft cardstock, a pen or pencil, a hole punch, scrap paper, an ink pad, stamps, metallic embossing powders, a heat embossing tool, and glitter twine.
42. Tags with marbled decorations
Craft discrete and elegant Christmas gift tags by following the marble trend. The idea for this DIY project comes from Posh Little Designs and uses white paper tags, nail polish, shaving cream, toothpicks, parchment paper, and soft paper napkins. There are many ways to approach this design. For instance, use black, silver or gold nail polish for sophisticated labels or colorful nail polish for a more lively design. Alternatively, match the colors of the wrapping paper for cohesive-looking presents. Head over to Posh Little Designs for the step-by-step instructions.
43. Tags with glitter decorations
Make sparkly Christmas gift tags for your friends and family by dipping them in glitter. This DIY project design comes from Mom Spark and requires cardstock, glue, brush, chunky glitter, a single hole punch, and a stamp and ink or a maker. Visit Mom Spark, download the free tag printable, and check out the complete step-by-step instructions.
44. Tags with faux holly sprig decorations
Decorating holly sprigs made from green felt and red buttons is a charming way to create DIY Christmas gift tags using crafting supplies you already have. This project design belongs to 1 Dog Woof and uses blank gift tags, green felt, red buttons, glue, a hole puncher, and red and white thread. Check out 1 Dog Woof for more information.
45. Tags with button decorations
Craft lovely Christmas gift tags by designing holiday decorations using buttons. For example, turn simple buttons into ornaments and draw the ornament hangers and string using a Sharpie marker. Or, build a snowman by placing a black button on top of two white buttons and adding a twine bow. Check out Hamburger Liebe for more information.
46. Tags with photo decorations
Using photos of your family and friends creates unique Christmas gift tags they will hold on to and cherish for years. This DIY project idea belongs to Toolbox Divas and requires photographs, empty tags, Mod Podge, a single hole puncher, a sponge brush, and scissors. Print the pictures on photo paper if necessary. Instead of empty tags, you can cut cardstock in the shape of tags using any tag template from the Internet. Check out Toolbox Divas for step-by-step instructions.
47. Tags with wreath decorations
Using gift tags with tiny wreaths on them is a great way to add a bit of greenery to Christmas presents. This DIY project idea comes from Frolic and uses spool wire, clippers, floral tape, cardstock, twine, scissors, and greens such as boxwood, rosemary, myrtle, and seeded eucalyptus. Make it extra special by using small cuttings from your Christmas tree. Check out Frolic for the step-by-step instructions.
48. Tags with dried orange decorations
Make gift tags using dried oranges to add a unique twist to your presents and make them smell zesty and fresh like Christmas. This project idea belongs to Limoneira and gives you the complete instructions for preparing the present from scratch. It requires dried oranges, holly berry decor, twine, blank gift tags, wrapping paper, and the present you need to wrap. Check out Limoneira for the full guide.
49. Tags with a typography design
Typographic Christmas gift tags with a beautiful font are appropriate in a formal setting, like sending presents to coworkers. This DIY design belongs to Eat Drink Chic, so visit the website to download the designs, print them on Kraft cards, use a hole punch, and add twine or ribbon.
50. Tags with ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas quotes
Using quotes from the ‘Twas the Night before Christmas classic poem is a poetic way to design your own holiday gift tags. This DIY project comes from Creativity Designs and has a minimalist printable design, thanks to simple, black and white graphics. The supply list includes cardstock, a printer with black ink cartridge, a craft trimmer, a hole punch, a corner rounder, and twine. Visit Creativity Designs, download the free printable, and check out the complete instructions.
Conclusion
With these DIY Christmas gift tags, you are sure to find the perfect way to top off all your holiday gifts and add a personal touch to every present under the tree. Choose the tag design that fits your style, get the necessary supplies, and start crafting. Check out these creative gift wrapping ideas that pair well with the gift tags outlined in this article.
What are your favorite DIY Christmas gift tags? Share your thoughts below!