Free Christmas Gift Tag Templates [16 Best Designs]

A gift tag is a small, removable label that is often affixed to a wrapped package/gift. It generally has the name of the sender, the recipient, and/or a written message to the recipient. You can use the tag for different gifts, from Christmas to birthdays.

Gifts are a way to communicate how you feel about your loved ones. While you might put a lot of effort into wrapping and decorating your presents, a gift tag is an additional opportunity to show that you put in some extra time thinking about the person you are gifting.

The tag can be made to suit the occasion, the holiday party you are attending, or even your own preferences. You can write any message you want on the tag. It could be a simple “thanks” or “congratulations.” You can also add the recipient’s name and their relationship, such as wife, husband, daughter, son, etc.

However, you could also have fun and utilize your creativity to make it personal. This makes gift wrapping and opening more fun and interactive. Whether the gift is wrapped or not, the recipients can still see it and read it when they open their gifts. While you can use store-bought gift tags, you can also create your tags at home using household items and have adequately effective tags. Gift tags are an easy way to add a small personal touch to a gift.

This article guides you on how to create gift tags that you can use for holidays such as Christmas.

Many online services offer gift tag templates. Pre-made templates are meant to simplify the process of creating gift tags. They guide you on how to style and format your tags. They outline messages for different occasions, thus saving you the time and effort of creating tags from scratch.

You can download such free templates from below. You can customize the templates to create your own tag just by tweaking the width and adding text or images:

Why Should You Tag The Gifts You Offer?  

A gift tag has several uses. You can use it to indicate who the gift is for. This can be useful when you are gifting several people simultaneously. For example, if you place several Christmas gifts under the tree, you can use tags to show the respective recipient of each gift.

It also makes for an interesting start when opening a present, as tags are usually on top or at the side. You can add a message or note to the recipient on the tag. The first thing your recipient sees is what message you have written on the gift tag. Using a tag thus gives you an opportunity to convey your affection, appreciation, and warm thoughts to your loved ones.

Gift tags are usually accompanied by colorful designs, ribbons, and various other decorative items that help present the gift in a more attractive way. This adds delight and pomp to the entire gift-opening session. They are also a way of personalizing gifts for every season. Gifting is usually a stressful ordeal for most people, especially before they decide what to gift their loved ones. However, with a gift tag, you can customize the message to add some uniqueness to each gift. They are also used to offer moral advice and recommend certain life choices.

Gift tags are also very easy to make, and it is easy to make them using items found in your house. This makes them more affordable than printed gift cards.

The gift tags have a lot of flexibility, and you can use them for practically anything. Because the tag is small and the message is short, you can opt for either a handwritten card or a piece of printed paper. Regardless of the gift size, all you need to do is place a message that will make your recipient feel special.

Here are different types of messages you can write on your Christmas gift tag and other holiday gifts:

Short and traditional

If you have something simple to say, your message can be conveyed in a short and traditional manner. There are certain messages that have been in use for ages. This type of message is meant to be simple and brief.

For example:

-Wishing you a lovely Merry Christmas and a happy new year
-Happy holidays
-Christmas wishes with love
-Glad tidings for the festive season
-A very merry Christmas

Sentimental family message

Some people like to write sentimental messages such as those related to their relatives or loved ones. You can add some personality to such a message. Such a message can also be sent to close and long-time friends. Certain religious phrases are considered appropriate for Christmas gifting.

Examples of such messages include:

-Christmas is for family and loved ones
-Family is the greatest gift of all
-Merry Christmas! Love, Mom and Dad
-Joy, peace and blessings from our family to yours, this festive season
-I’m lucky to have you as my family
-Hope you have a wonderful time with your loved ones today… Merry Christmas!
-I love spending the festive season with my family

Song lyrics

You can also use song lyrics as your message. Sung quotes are perfect for helping the recipient get in the mood for Christmas. Most people can quote at least one festive song lyric by heart without stammering a lot. You could also personalize the message by adding a personal touch or something relevant to your relationship with the person.

Examples of such messages include:

-Have a holly, jolly Christmas
-Feliz Navidad!!!
-I wish it were Christmas every day
-It is the most wonderful time of the year
-All I want for Christmas is you
-Baby, it is cold outside…that must mean it is Christmas

Jokes and sarcasm

A gift tag message can also be used to make someone smile or laugh. You can use a funny phrase or an inside joke you share with the recipient. You can use your creativity to create something to lighten the recipient. You can also use sarcasm.

For example:

-Christmas calories don’t count
-What do snowmen wear on their heads? Ice caps!
-I know it is early, but merry Christmas. You’ll get your present at the end of this year.
-The Christmas spirit really soots you
-May your bells jingle all the way

Romantic phrases

A gift tag message can be used to express affection and love. You can use a romantic phrase to convey a heartfelt message. This can be used for all types of gifting, whether you are celebrating an upcoming anniversary or proposing. Such a message can also be corny and cheeky.

Examples include:

-You jingle my bells
-My dearest Christmas bear, happy holidays. Love you
-You are warmer than my Christmas sweater
-Meet me under the mistletoe
-You are my favorite part of Christmas
-Spending time with you is the greatest Christmas gift I could ask for
-Christmas wishes with love
-I think you are wonderful, and so does my cat

Playful puns

Another way to put a smile on someone’s face is to use a pun or a play on words. With the right words, you can make your recipient smile and laugh. You can send such a git tag to family or friends.

Examples include:

-There snowbody quite like you
-Daschund through the snow
-All this festivity is making me santamental
-Your presents is requested
-I love you from head to mistletoe
-Love at frost sight

There are different types of materials you can use to make homemade gift tags. This is an opportunity for you to explore your creativity and have fun gift wrapping. Beautiful, handmade present tags will guarantee lots of smiles and joy on the day when your friends and loved ones open their gifts.

Here are some DIY gift tag ideas that will inspire you to make creative tags for your loved ones:

Sticky notes 

You can handwrite your gift tag. If you have a simple message to send to your loved ones, sticky notes can be your best option. You can buy ready-made sticky notes from different stores. The sticky notes will come in different colors. You need two sticky notes with contrasting colors only.

Write your message on one, leave about an inch of space at the bottom, and stick it on the gift. Cut a chevron pattern at the bottom of the other sticky note and draw an enticing design on it. Stick the cut note on the other written note to create some sort of cover. This tag can be attached to any type of gift. 

Family recipes

Family recipes are a great content for homemade gift tags. It is a creative way of expressing your love for the recipient without saying something in words. The recipient will be able to read the ingredients and make the dish or have it cooked. You can print it or handwrite it on a notecard.

Chocolates and candies

Treats are great additions to a gift and can be used as tags too. You can use chocolate and candies of different shapes or cut them into salt dough ornaments. Then, hang the treat with twine or thread it on your bow. Treats are great for lighting peoples’ moods during Christmas and holidays.

Old greeting cards

Old greeting cards are excellent material for gift tags. Use scalloped scissors to cut the old cards into shapes. Tape the cuttings to the gift or use ribbon to create hanging tags. This is a cheap method that can result in quality and functional gift tags without all the extra paper or ink.

Extra wrapping paper

If you have extra wrapping paper after wrapping your gifts, you can use it to create DIY gift tags. Cut the wrapping paper into different shapes, such as ovals and squares, and use them to write messages to your loved ones. You can use a ribbon to attach the tag to the gift. This can be a quick and easy way to produce quality tags.

Brown paper bags

You can use ordinary brown paper bags to produce great tags for your gifts. Cut the paper bags into designs that you can write your message to the recipient with regular or scalloped scissors. Attach the tag with ribbon, twine, or stamps. This is a cheap way of creating tags at home. 

Scrapbook or craft paper

Scrapbooks and craft paper can be used to create tags for your gifts. Use scalloped scissors to cut the paper into different shapes and sizes that can fit your message. You can find creative ways to combine different patterns and colors to create attractive gift tags. Use ribbon to attach the tag to the gifts. Also, you can add glitter or stamps as decorative. 

Use your junk mail

If you have junk mail lying around, you can recycle it by cutting it into different shapes and sizes to create tags. Junk mail is usually colorful and will therefore produce eye-catching tags. You can use them for any type of gift, whether big or small.

Magazine clippings

Magazines are great sources for gift tag content. Use a scissor to cut magazine clippings you wish to use as tags. Clippings can be of pictures and quotes that would interest your loved ones. Such clippings will often be found in home and garden type of magazines. Select clippings that have color and enough space to write your message. 

Cut up an old shirt box

If you have shirt boxes lying around, you can use them to create gift tags. First, cut the box into your desired patterns. Next, use stamps and markers to add color to the tag. Then, attach the tag to the gifts using ribbon or twine, adding some decorative elements. This method can be suitable when creating tags that will not fold up, maybe when the gift is in transit.

Gift tags are small pieces of paper or cards attached to presents to show the recipient how much you appreciate them or send any other short sentiment or message. Gift tags can be custom-made to suit the holiday, your needs, and your taste. They can be customized in different colors, shapes, sizes, and designs. You can use the different methods suggested by this article to write good gift tags. You can use these DIY gift tag ideas to create something beautiful, thoughtful, and unique. Remember that what makes handmade gifts more special is the fact that they are put together with love, joy, and creativity and are often very appreciated by family and friends.