How to wrap presents like a pro: Victoria Beckham’s gift wrapper shares her secrets – including the budget must-haves.

Many of us willingly invest time, thought, and hard-earned funds into securing the perfect Christmas gift for loved ones. But when it comes to making the effort to wrap that gift beautifully? That part can, admittedly, sometimes be a bit of an afterthought.

Gift wrapper to the stars, Jane Means, understands better than anyone how a well-wrapped present can truly elevate the gifting experience. It’s the reason she’s previously been entrusted with wrapping gifts for the likes of Victoria Beckham and even the royal family.

In 2025, Jane has observed a number of key gifting and wrapping trends defining the festive aesthetic – and she’s willing to share her secrets.

From a preference for eco-friendly materials to tactile bows, these five observed trends provide the decorative touches for wow-worthy pressies.

Quiet eco-luxury base

Forget glitter-laden wrapping paper. One of the biggest wrapping trends on Jane’s radar is a preference for eco-inspired materials like ‘matte kraft, recycled parcel paper and reversible eco wraps’. The expert coins the aesthetic: ‘quiet eco-luxury’.

‘Humble brown paper dressed with a single strip of designer wrap or one statement ribbon instantly delivers a high-end finish without excessive waste,’ Jane explains.

‘This approach also encourages people to invest in fewer, better quality materials that can be reused year after year. The trend reflects a wider move towards restraint as the new signifier of luxury.’

So long, plastic and glitter toppers and novelty bows. In 2025, Jane says the best finishing touches are sourced from nature.

‘A single stem tucked beneath ribbon creates more impact than bulky artificial embellishments ever could.’

Jane’s favourites: ‘Sprigs of rosemary, bay, eucalyptus, cones, nuts and dried fruit.’

‘These elements introduce scent, texture and seasonality into the gift itself.’

Gift wrapping trends may come and go, but Jane explains that the royal family prefer time honoured classic Christmas colours, crisp wrapping techniques and a proportionate ribbon that ties it all together.

‘Royal-style wrapping is built on precision, symmetry and ceremonial detail,’ Jane explains.

‘Every fold, measurement and ribbon placement is intentional.

‘Nothing is rushed and nothing is left to chance. The aim is to ensure the gift looks as important as what lies inside it. This approach creates a sense of occasion before the present is even opened.’

If you want your gifts all neatly wrapped up in a bow this year, Jane says one material has emerged as a top contender: ‘Velvet ribbons are the hero texture of Christmas 2025, prized for their softness, weight and ability to hold shape,’ Jane declares.

Raffia is also a popular 2025 ribbon choice, lining up neatly with the quiet eco-luxury trend.

When it comes to ribbons, the gift-wrapping expert advises always being generous with both size and quantity.

Citing the way luxury brand items are wrapped in ribbon, she explains they purposefully have distinct ‘body and drape’ because ‘it communicates quality before the gift is even opened’.

Accordingly, Jane recommends emulating this with your own ribbon ties. ‘Thicker ribbons create stronger bow silhouettes and have greater presence under the tree.’

Monochrome or heritage tones palettes

A cohesive colour scheme can bring your gift wrapping together – and there are two firm trends Jane notes this year.

The first keeps with tradition: wrapping in ‘deep heritage reds and forest greens’.

But for a fashion-forward look, Jane says a bold monochrome palette is impactful.

Whichever route you take, the wrapping expert’s best tip is to be consistent with your tonal palette.

‘Disciplined colour use instantly elevates a gift, even when materials are modest’.

Incorporate recycled materials

What’s old is new again! ‘Newspapers, comics, posters, wallpaper off-cuts and old maps are all being reused as wrapping in deliberate design choices (rather than a last-minute solution!),’ Jane explains.

‘These materials add narrative and individuality to gifting.’

Jane notes that recycled wrapping offers the chance to truly personalise a gift for the recipient – for instance, wrapping a present in a poster from someone’s favourite childhood movie or the sheet music of their favourite song.

‘This level of personalisation creates a real emotional impact when gifting,’ she says.