Christmas Eve Wrap Race: A quarter of Brits wrap gifts the night before
– Nearly 1 in 10 (9%) of 18–24-year-olds admit they leave wrapping until Christmas Day
– Panicked Brits are reaching for tin foil and kitchen roll when the paper runs out
– The majority (56%) of Brits feel personalised wrapping paper makes a gift that extra bit special
London, 22 December: New research from VistaPrint reveals that Britain’s festive season is fuelled by last-minute panic, with a quarter of the nation (25%) admitting they wrap their Christmas gifts on Christmas Eve. And for some, the rush is even more extreme – nearly 1 in 10 (9%) of 18–24-year-olds confess they don’t start wrapping until Christmas Day.
But while many leave it late, others take an entirely different approach. Across the UK, a small but dedicated cohort has already wrapped their gifts before November, showing just how wildly wrapping habits can vary.
The great wrapping scramble
When forced into a last-minute situation, Brits are improvising. One in eight (12%) say they would reach for tin foil or kitchen roll if they suddenly found themselves out of wrapping paper – a number that jumps to almost 1 in 5 (17%) among 25–34-year-olds.
Gen Z, however, are far more likely to throw in the towel entirely. Over a quarter (28%) of 18–24-year-olds would simply hand over a gift completely unwrapped rather than attempt a budget-friendly wrapping hack.
Meanwhile, the Welsh hold the crown for being the nation’s most organised gift-wrappers, with nearly half (41%) insisting they would never run out of wrapping paper on Christmas Eve. They are also the most confident in their skills, reporting the highest rate of colour-coordinated, ribbon-perfect wrapping.
Across the board, older generations (55+) are the most self-assured when it comes to wrapping technique, with 39% believing they are the best wrappers in their household – compared to only 26% of 25–34-year-olds.
Regardless of skill level, some presents remain notoriously tricky to wrap. Bikes (24%), potted plants (11%) and gardening tools (7%) top the list of Britain’s most difficult-to-wrap gifts.
Personalisation wins hearts, and the Christmas morning excitement
Brits may leave their wrapping to the wire, but when they do get the paper out, effort matters. More than half (56%) say personalised wrapping paper makes a gift feel that extra bit special, while 52% admit they feel more excited to open a beautifully wrapped present.
Aesthetic matters too: 43% believe a beautifully wrapped gift actually makes the present inside feel more expensive, proving presentation really can elevate the moment.
And it’s men who are most influenced by presentation. Nearly half of men (47%) believe that a beautifully wrapped gift signals there’s a more expensive present inside, compared to only 38% of women.
Jane Means, gift-wrapping expert partnering with VistaPrint, comments: “Beautifully wrapped gifts create anticipation and show real thoughtfulness. VistaPrint’s personalised wrapping paper makes that easier than ever. Small techniques can make a big difference: using double-sided tape creates a seamless finish, and choosing papers that complement your ribbon or tag instantly elevates your wrapping. Whether you’re a last-minute wrapper or someone who plans ahead, personalisation is a simple way to make your gifts feel truly special.”
For personalised wrapping solutions and creative ways to upgrade your gifts this Christmas, explore VistaPrint’s festive wrapping collection HERE.
Jane Means’ top tips to elevate gift wrapping this Christmas are:
Trim your paper to the right size. Too much excess paper makes wrapping harder and look bulkier. Trim your paper to the right size and use double-sided tape for a clean, professional finish.
Use flexible materials for odd-shaped gifts. Fabric, tissue paper, or cellophane mould easily around awkward items for a smooth, stress-free wrap.
Make it personalised. Use themed elements like dried flowers for gardeners, sheet music for musicians, or on sites like VistaPrint, you can design personalised wrapping paper to include pictures of friends, family, or pets.
Add small decorative touches. Sprigs of foliage from the garden, baubles, feathers, or recycled trimmings instantly elevate your gifts- and on a budget!
Keep oversized gifts simple. Wrap bigger gifts in simple brown packing paper, then add a decorative ribbon, bow or even a sprig from your Christmas tree to make it stand out.
Make Christmas wrapping fun! Make a moment out of wrapping, put on music, pour yourself a festive drink, and even invite friends over so you can do it all together!