5 Ways to Embellish Gifts Using the Cricut Maker

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Don’t you love it when the outside of the gift is as perfect as the inside? I have a friend who is just amazing at wrapping gifts and I think the recipient always feels extra special because of the effort she makes. This Christmas, I’m making gift wrapping easy with these five ways to embellish gifts using the Cricut Maker! From leather tags to balsa wood bows, these ideas will dress up a package and add a little something special to those DIY holiday gifts under the tree.

The first gift wrap idea includes the full packaging but the other four ideas are all about the toppers and embellishments. Wrap your gifts any way you want, in cute boxes or patterned bags, with gift wrap or kraft paper, then add that something special to take them to the next level.

Gift Box with Glittered Star Closure

To make a simple gift box with a glittered star closure, you’ll need white kraft board, fine red glitter {or another color to match your other gift wrap}, mod podge, and a foam brush.

In Cricut Design Space, insert the star box image {#M2F516} onto the canvas and alter the size as you desire.

Use white kraft board on a standard grip mat and use the scoring wheel and the fine point blade to score and cut the project.

When the image has been cut, fold along the score lines, and glue the tabs to complete the box.

To add a festive touch, use the foam brush to apply mod podge to the star, shake glitter over the mod podge, and tap off the extra.

Let it dry completely, then slide the sides of the star together to seal the box.

The red star is such a simple touch but it looks so pretty! In addition to using these star boxes to hold gifts, they’d make great party favors too!

Fabric Monogrammed Gift Bag

A large patterned fabric monogram on a white gift bag or box looks adorable and it couldn’t be simpler to make.

You’ll need gift bags and pieces of fabric or fusible fabric. This is a great way to use up all those extra scraps that are left over from other projects.

Find a font you like in Cricut Design Space and size the letter to fit the package. I used a medium gift bag and sized the monogram to a 6 inch width. I used the Birthday Bash font {one of my favorites} but you can obviously use any font in any style.

Place the fabric face down {with the bonded side up if you’re using fusible fabric} on the fabric grip mat and insert the rotary blade into the Cricut Maker.

Be sure to turn the mirror function on so the letter doesn’t end up backwards. Cut the letter.

If you used regular fabric, you can attach it to the bag with spray adhesive.

I like to use the Cricut EasyPress 2 to attach fusible fabric to gift bags and boxes, however, please note that the Cricut interactive quick reference guide for the EasyPress 2 does not recommend using the machine in this way, probably because you run the risk of burning the paper. I use the lowest temperature setting of 210 degrees and apply the heat for 1-2 seconds at a time, moving the EasyPress 2 around. If you leave it one spot, you’ll increase the risk of burning the gift bag.

Once the monogram is adhered, fill the bag with coordinating tissue paper and add some ribbon or tulle, if desired.

Balsa Wood Bow Gift Topper

I love balsa wood and I think it’s so amazing that you can cut it with ease with the Cricut Maker! If you missed the wood veneer floral wreath I made last year, check out how fun this medium is by clicking that link!

I couldn’t resist topping a gift with a little balsa wood bow. It’s the perfect way to add a modern or a masculine touch to a gift.

Because balsa wood doesn’t bend like other mediums, I altered an image available on Cricut Design Space. Don’t ever let those images stop you from experimenting … most images can be altered with just a few simple steps to get exactly what you want!

I started with a bow image meant to be created with leather. Since I wouldn’t be able to loop the balsa wood, I used the slice tool to remove the ends of the bow …

… by placing a rectangle over the ends, selecting Slice, then removing the piece that was sliced off.

The slice tool is a great way to alter shapes in Cricut Design Space.

I altered the size a bit as well to make sure it would fit my package and have dimensions that looked like a bow.

Once the design is ready to cut, use a strong grip mat and a knife blade on the Cricut Maker. The Cricut Maker will make multiple passes over the image to ensure it cuts right through so be prepared for a longer cut than if you were using paper.

When the cut is complete, use the spatula tool to lift the pieces off the mat to avoid snapping the wood.

Hot glue the bow to the top of a package. If you want to add a little extra dimension, use pop dots or glue a tiny piece of cardboard between each layer.

I love the way the wood veneer bow looks on top of a gift!

And wouldn’t it be cute on a holiday wreath or other DIY holiday decorations?

Embellished Leather Gift Tags

Leather tags are another great way to top a gift and leather cuts like butter on the Cricut Maker!

I created two different versions to show you just how versatile the Cricut Maker is. One version uses pens to write directly onto the leather before cutting and the other version uses the slice tool to cut a monogram out of the center of the tag.

I inserted a tag image onto the canvas then added the text on one tag and the monogram on the other. Be sure to select the tag and the writing and attach it together so the tag will print and cut correctly.

Place the leather on a strong grip mat. Cricut recommends placing the smooth side down but, because I wanted to print directly onto the leather, I experimented with placing the smooth side up and had no trouble with it.

I used the knife blade in the Cricut Maker and a gold medium tip 1.0 pen from the multi-pen set.

Before cutting leather, move the white star wheels to the side or they may mark the leather.

Cut …

… and attach the tags to the top of the gift with twine or ribbon.

These leather tags would make great place cards or DIY holiday cards too!

Patterned Cardboard Monogram Gift Topper

I love upcycling and lately I’ve received online orders in patterned boxes that I just couldn’t bring myself to throw away. And I’m glad I didn’t because they’re perfect for using to make colorful monogram gift toppers!

Create the monogram using a favorite font in Cricut Design Space {I used Birthday Bash again} and size it to fit the package. I made it about six inches tall.

Before cutting the letter, run a test sample with the cardboard you’re using. Corrugated cardboard can vary in thickness and it may not work well with the corrugated cardboard setting in the system.

I used the chipboard setting and the knife blade and it cut flawlessly. You can see that the white star wheels caused an indent in the cardboard. Slide them to the side to avoid that.

Glue or tie the monogram to the top of a white box for a quick and easy topper that looks so cute and colorful!

There you go … five ideas to jazz up your handmade holiday gifts this season!

Not into bright colors or lots of patterns? Adapt these ideas to fit any color theme or any style by changing the colors and patterns to suit your style. Wouldn’t a black and white theme be striking?