Etsy's Handmade Blog
Holiday How-Tos: Sellers, Wrap It Up with Gift Wrap!
Story by daniellexo, EtsyStore
Published on November 1, 2007 in How-To 		Photo by

schOOLLOcker

This article was originally published on November 1, 2007. We've updated the content to be current as of September 8, 2008 for the upcoming holiday selling season. Check out Holiday How-To: Offering Services for more great tips on providing those special extra touches for your holiday shoppers.

Want to offer your buyers an extra bonus this holiday season? Why not offer gift wrap? It's a great way to make a few extra dollars, while sending your items out ready for giving. The presentation looks great, and weary shoppers will love you for it. If you make your own handmade wrapping paper and tags or use recycled materials, it really completes the BuyHandmade package!

You must list gift wrap as a supply and not a service to comply with the policies in the DOs & DON'Ts of Etsy. These guidelines should help:

  • The gift wrap should be a stand-alone listing in your shop. The buyer must not be required to make a separate purchase from your shop in order to buy the gift wrap. 
  • List the gift wrap as a commercial supply if you're using paper and packaging you've purchased. The top-tag (Category) should be Supplies; the second tag should be Commercial. Be sure to also tag it as gift wrap.
  • If the gift wrap is handmade by you, you may list it as a handmade supply or paper good. In this case, the top tag (Category) could be either Supplies or Paper Goods. Be sure to also tag it as gift wrap.
  • Be prepared to sell only the gift wrap if someone purchases it without also buying an item from your shop. (You're selling the gift wrap as an item, not the service of wrapping. It's possible a shopper might just want the wrapping paper.)
  • Be sure to include the details about this gift wrap (dimensions, materials, colors, embellishments, etc).
  • Make a note in your shop's item descriptions that you offer gift wrap, and the buyer must purchase the gift wrap in addition to the item they would like wrapped.
  • Also note this gift wrap will only be available for items in your shop. (Some new shoppers may not realize Etsy is made up of many unique shops.)
  • You may want to make a note that your customer should purchase the item and the gift wrap at the same time. You can note this in your gift wrap listing and your item listings.

Follow those tips and you will be ready to offer a special little extra for your customers! And get creative — handmade wrapping paper, crocheted ribbon, sewn fabric bags are all great handmade alternatives to store-bought wrapping paper.

So what do you think? Will you be offering gift wrapping this holiday season? If so, let us know here! 

Tags Buy Handmade Pledge, daniellexo, Etsy Labs, gifts, gift wrapping, Holiday, Holiday How-Tos, holidays, HOW-TO, Seller Handbook, selling, Your Shop 101
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47 comments     Login to add your own!

Nov. 1, 2007 at 5:44 p.m. Ivydee

THIS ROCKS DANIELLEXO!

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

Nov. 1, 2007 at 5:46 p.m. SoCalledMommy

Great article! Off to do some wrapping-thinking!

Nov. 1, 2007 at 5:50 p.m. lavajewelry

I gift-wrap all of the items I send out, and I offer a free personalized note card (made by LeasLetters.etsy.com) for items purchased as gifts. :)

Nov. 1, 2007 at 5:51 p.m. SparxsDesigns

I offer wrapping for free....all they have to do is request it when they checkout. Thanks for the article.

Nov. 1, 2007 at 5:58 p.m. mmmfiber

Brilliant! I applaud you!

Nov. 1, 2007 at 5:59 p.m. highlandghillie

excellent idea, and thanks for the "how to" on setting it up in my shop :)

Nov. 1, 2007 at 6:03 p.m. artjewelrycollection

Great work around------thanks so much! :)

Nov. 1, 2007 at 6:04 p.m. artjewelrycollection

I should say that I also offer free gift wrap in my shop, however, I can use this method of listing in my other shop, lol. (twopretty.etsy)

Nov. 1, 2007 at 6:05 p.m. RunAliceRun

Good idea. Although, if a buyer does want the gift wrapping only (since this is a separate listing), it might be a good idea to have some sort of primary shipping charge to cover that cost. I noticed on a listing of one of the examples, that it had free primary and secondary shipping.

Nov. 1, 2007 at 6:05 p.m. crostini

I lurve that spirograph gift wrap. That is fantabulous!

Nov. 1, 2007 at 6:20 p.m. Vintagemomcreations

Love the spirograph gift wrap.. and I WILL be working on some wrap myself. At this point I have decorated some boxes.. and sewn some bags as wrap in my store :)

Nov. 1, 2007 at 6:23 p.m. MmeFortuna

Thanks for the article and the issues it addresses. I offer complimentary gift wrap and note for any jewelry purchased as a gift so it makes it pretty easy!

Nov. 1, 2007 at 6:29 p.m. kjoo

Wonderful tips!Very useful post many thanks*

Nov. 1, 2007 at 6:46 p.m. cipolla

I do indeed offer a gift wrap option in the shop, complete with a matching card - even less details for the buyer to worry about. I've been using handmade stamps to make paper wrap since high school art class... fun and functional! -- cheers. m.

Nov. 1, 2007 at 7:50 p.m. PamperingBeki

Very nice! All of my jewelry is complimentary gift wrapped anyway. Buyers really appreciate the extra touch!

Nov. 1, 2007 at 8:18 p.m. margotbianca

perfect! thank you for clarifying this issue :).

i'm off to edit my tags...

(and, i *will* be offering gift wrapping during the holidays, and after)

Nov. 1, 2007 at 9:19 p.m. FourSeasonsFragrance

WONDERFUL!!!

Some of my items come gift-wrapped, for those that don't it is nice to know I can list them under supplies!!

Nov. 1, 2007 at 10:41 p.m. Sincerely

Well, I am delighted to have my vintage wrap included on your list! It is gorgeous and eco-friendly! Thanks daniellexo!

Nov. 1, 2007 at 10:49 p.m. BlueJeanBaby

Great tip! I offered gift wrap in my shop as a service last year, and I will offer it again this year!

Nov. 1, 2007 at 11:20 p.m. DBeadery

I always wrap my orders in tissue paper, and tie with simple, inexpensive ribbon. It's no big fancy expensive deal.. it's just to let the buyer feel cared for and special.

deb~*~

Nov. 2, 2007 at 7:37 a.m. LAVENDERDRAGONHERBS

I offer Gift Wrapping in my shp in my Tags, as a service and I do not charge for it.
I think it is confusing to have to list as suggested.

Nov. 2, 2007 at 12:06 p.m. kalliART

gift wrapping is great, but I also already offer it for free on all jewelry and most of my items for sale.

Nov. 2, 2007 at 12:13 p.m. erinys

Thanks for the great tips! I've offered some gift wrapping in the past but the clarifications and how-tos are helpful.

Nov. 2, 2007 at 2:31 p.m. lucybluestudio

That is a great idea!

Nov. 2, 2007 at 4:25 p.m. miraartz

Great ideas in this how-to.
I was planing on giving free gift wrap for the holidays. But I will also have the option of buying a gift card.

Ill see how it works.

Thanks for the advise

Nov. 3, 2007 at 3:32 a.m. MayaBella

This is a super idea! And thanks so much for all the tips. I think all my questions about wrap have been answered! now just need the pics to list!

Nov. 3, 2007 at 10:24 p.m. alikii

That great... I'll start to look for a nice wrap idea!!!!

Nov. 4, 2007 at 2:46 a.m. Peldyn

I plan on offering it for free if requested. I think paying for it is just not right.

Nov. 4, 2007 at 6:32 a.m. thymbyldesigns

I am always wrapping orders as gifts - it's always free of charge, because I think that all my customers deserve this little extra treat.

My gift wrapping is paper, often hand-stamped with my own hand-carved stamps. If I have to use cello, I use glassine or cello bags that don't affect the environment.

Nov. 4, 2007 at 9:39 p.m. SparksFly

Thanks so much for this great article! It has sparked a few new ideas for me... I do already have holiday gift tags listed in my store, but I am really excited about experimenting with a few new things.

Thanks!

Nov. 5, 2007 at 4:18 a.m. inmyheadstudios

great way to use up the many many pieces of handmade paper i made this weekend! thank you!

Nov. 5, 2007 at 10:24 a.m. Happiknits

Great ideas, thank you!

Nov. 20, 2007 at 2:40 p.m. Urbanknit

great idea, i think i'll go ahead and offer gift-wrapping

Dec. 5, 2007 at 12:55 a.m. TiffanyTeske

Great info! I am going to go list gift wrapping now...

Jan. 5, 2008 at 10:36 p.m. CricketsCreations

Thank you so much for this article! I've got my Gift Wrapped Option up now at http://www.etsy.com/your_shop.php?ran...
Celeste (Crickets Creations Handknit Scarves)

Jan. 15, 2008 at 5:43 a.m. mandodeb

This is a great article, DanielleXO! I really appreciated the gift wrapping sellers did for the holidays - I bought items, and had them wrap the items and send directly to my out-of-state recipients. I got a couple compliments on how nicely the gifts were done up. Thanks for letting us know how to set it up in our shops!

April 29, 2008 at 4:41 p.m. SSmartRaggs

Very well written; an excellent explaination. Thank you!

Aug. 30, 2008 at 10:22 p.m. MyKangaroo

Excellent info!

Sept. 26, 2008 at 9:43 a.m. treehousetogs

definitely including unique wrapping services this year, prompted by this article. Thanks you!

Nov. 6, 2008 at 5:17 p.m. ifrogcrafts

Thanks!!! Spending time today looking for options towards a successful shop. Love this one!!!

Nov. 13, 2008 at 12:51 p.m. fancibags

All of my bags are shipped in a signature purple inner box that is included with every sale. I am now going to offer a gift tag option to make the sale complete. But I have to come up with some ideas...and fast! Thanks for the info, Nancy

Oct. 17, 2009 at 9:15 p.m. HeatherJaneDesign

I am going to be listing my gift wrap soon. I have white or kraft gift bags that are embellished with stamped images that are colored and layered on coordinating quality cardstock. I am going to offer themes for baby, birthday, and Christmas.

Oct. 28, 2009 at 1:58 p.m. steampunkjewelry

Great opportunity! So many people want gift sent direct these days!

Nov. 3, 2009 at 4:18 p.m. PamelaHayesDesigns

Thank you so much for the idea of shipping labels. I'm just getting started, but am know for my gift wrapping. It's one of my favorite things to do. Thank you!

Nov. 4, 2009 at 2:07 a.m. eroa

Thank you. Very helpful!

Nov. 4, 2009 at 2:09 a.m. eroa

Thank you. Very helpful article!

Nov. 19, 2009 at 7:20 p.m. sakizome

I gift wrap all my items for free. I like my buyers to receive a wonderful present to themselves in the post!

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