Christmas Tissue Paper: What to Buy, How to Use It, and What to Skip
Christmas Tissue Paper: What to Buy, How to Use It, and What to Skip
Christmas tissue paper is one of the most versatile holiday supplies. It’s the paper you use for gift wrapping, for crafts, for decorating, and for filling gift bags. The problem is that most people either buy the cheapest tissue paper they can find (thin, crinkly paper that tears) or skip it entirely (they just use wrapping paper). The right tissue paper is quality, festive, and versatile. This guide covers what to buy, how to use it, and what to skip.
Christmas tissue paper covers the thin, decorative paper used during the holiday season for gift wrapping, crafts, and decorations. The best tissue paper is quality, festive, and versatile. The worst is thin, cheap, and tears when you fold it.
The right Christmas tissue paper makes gifts and crafts look polished. Here’s what to buy, how to use it, and what to skip.
Types of Christmas Tissue Paper
Solid Color Tissue Paper
Solid color tissue paper is the most versatile option. It’s the paper you use for gift bags, for crafts, and for decorating.
What to look for:
- A weight of at least 17gsm (thick enough to not tear when folded)
- A set of 100 to 200 sheets in assorted colors (red, green, white, gold, silver)
- A quality material (acid-free, for crafts and archival use)
- A size of 20 x 26 inches (standard tissue paper size)
- A set that’s colorfast (the color doesn’t bleed)
What to skip:
- Tissue paper that’s too thin (it tears when you fold it)
- Tissue paper that’s not colorfast (the color bleeds)
- Tissue paper that’s too small (it doesn’t fit in a standard gift bag)
Price range: $10 to $20 for a set of 100 to 200 sheets.
Printed Tissue Paper
Printed tissue paper is the festive option. It’s the paper with holiday patterns, like snowflakes, trees, ornaments, or holly berries.
What to look for:
- A weight of at least 17gsm
- A set of 50 to 100 sheets in a holiday pattern
- A quality print (the pattern is clear, not blurry)
- A size of 20 x 26 inches
- A set that’s colorfast
What to skip:
- Tissue paper with a blurry print
- Tissue paper that’s too thin
- Tissue paper that’s too busy (the pattern is too large or too dense)
Price range: $10 to $25 for a set of 50 to 100 sheets.
Metallic Tissue Paper
Metallic tissue paper is the elegant option. It’s the paper with a metallic finish, like gold, silver, or copper.
What to look for:
- A weight of at least 17gsm
- A set of 50 to 100 sheets in a metallic color
- A quality metallic finish (the finish doesn’t flake off)
- A size of 20 x 26 inches
What to skip:
- Metallic tissue paper that flakes off
- Metallic tissue paper that’s too thin
- Metallic tissue paper that’s too shiny (it looks cheap)
Price range: $10 to $20 for a set of 50 to 100 sheets.
Recycled Tissue Paper
Recycled tissue paper is the eco-friendly option. It’s the paper made from recycled materials.
What to look for:
- A weight of at least 17gsm
- A set of 100 to 200 sheets in assorted colors
- A quality material (100% recycled, acid-free)
- A size of 20 x 26 inches
- A set that’s colorfast
What to skip:
- Recycled tissue paper that’s too thin
- Recycled tissue paper that’s not colorfast
- Recycled tissue paper that’s too expensive
Price range: $10 to $25 for a set of 100 to 200 sheets.
How to Use Christmas Tissue Paper
For Gift Bags
Tissue paper is the way to fill a gift bag and make it look polished.
How to do it:
- Choose 2 to 3 sheets of tissue paper in coordinating colors
- Lay the sheets on top of each other (alternating colors)
- Pinch the center of the stack and lift it up
- Place the pinched center into the gift bag (on top of the gift)
- Arrange the paper so it fills the top of the bag
- Fluff the paper so it looks full and elegant
Tip: Choose tissue paper in colors that coordinate with the gift bag.
For Gift Wrapping
Tissue paper is the way to wrap a gift that’s too delicate for wrapping paper.
How to do it:
- Lay 2 to 3 sheets of tissue paper on a flat surface
- Place the gift in the center of the paper
- Fold the paper around the gift (completely covered)
- Secure with tape (if needed)
- Add a ribbon or a bow
Tip: Choose tissue paper in a color that matches the gift.
For Crafts
Tissue paper is the material for holiday crafts, especially for kids.
Easy craft ideas:
- A tissue paper wreath (cut tissue paper into squares, crumple them, and glue them to a paper plate)
- A tissue paper tree (cut tissue paper into triangles, glue them to a paper triangle)
- Tissue paper ornaments (crumple tissue paper into balls, add a string)
- Tissue paper garland (cut tissue paper into strips, string them together)
- Tissue paper snowflakes (fold tissue paper, cut out a snowflake pattern)
Tip: Choose tissue paper in holiday colors (red, green, white, gold).
For Decorating
Tissue paper is the material for holiday decorations.
Easy decoration ideas:
- Tissue paper pom-poms (fold tissue paper like a fan, tie the center, and fluff the layers)
- Tissue paper garland (cut tissue paper into strips, string them together)
- Tissue paper flowers (cut tissue paper into petals, stack them, and fluff)
- Tissue paper confetti (cut tissue paper into small pieces, scatter it on a table)
Tip: Choose tissue paper in colors that match your decor.
For a Christmas Tree
Tissue paper is the material for making a small Christmas tree.
How to make a tissue paper tree:
- Choose green tissue paper (3 to 5 sheets)
- Cut the tissue paper into a triangle (the size of the tree you want)
- Cut the triangle into strips (horizontal strips, 1 inch wide)
- Fringe each strip (cut vertical slits, 1/2 inch apart)
- Roll each strip into a cone (with the fringe pointing down)
- Stack the cones (from largest to smallest) and glue them together
- Add a star or a bow on top
Tip: This is a fun craft for kids and a good decoration for a small space.
What to Skip Entirely
Tissue paper that’s too thin. It tears when you fold it, it tears when you crumple it, and it doesn’t look good. Choose a weight of at least 17gsm.
Tissue paper that’s not colorfast. The color bleeds onto the gift, the craft, or the decoration. Choose colorfast tissue paper.
Tissue paper with a blurry print. A blurry print looks cheap. Choose a quality print.
Tissue paper that’s too busy. A pattern that’s too large or too dense looks chaotic. Choose a simple pattern.
Metallic tissue paper that flakes off. A metallic finish that flakes off gets everywhere. Choose a quality metallic finish.
Too much tissue paper. If you only wrap 10 gifts, you don’t need 500 sheets. Buy the quantity you need.
FAQ
What is Christmas tissue paper? Christmas tissue paper is thin, decorative paper used during the holiday season for gift wrapping, crafts, and decorations. It comes in solid colors, printed patterns, metallic finishes, and recycled options. The best is quality, festive, and versatile.
What should I look for in Christmas tissue paper? Look for a weight of at least 17gsm (thick enough to not tear), a set of 100 to 200 sheets in assorted colors, a quality material (acid-free, colorfast), and a size of 20 x 26 inches. Choose quality over quantity.
How much does Christmas tissue paper cost? Solid color tissue paper costs $10 to $20 for 100 to 200 sheets. Printed tissue paper costs $10 to $25 for 50 to 100 sheets. Metallic tissue paper costs $10 to $20 for 50 to 100 sheets. Recycled tissue paper costs $10 to $25 for 100 to 200 sheets.
Where can I buy Christmas tissue paper? You can buy Christmas tissue paper at Amazon (wide selection, bulk options), a craft store (Michaels, Hobby Lobby for quality tissue paper), a dollar store (affordable, but check the quality), a party supply store (Party City for printed and metallic options), and a big box store (Target, Walmart for affordable sets).
What should I avoid when buying Christmas tissue paper? Avoid tissue paper that’s too thin (it tears), that’s not colorfast (the color bleeds), with a blurry print, that’s too busy, metallic tissue paper that flakes off, and buying too much (buy the quantity you need).
How do I use tissue paper in a gift bag? Choose 2 to 3 sheets in coordinating colors. Lay them on top of each other. Pinch the center and lift. Place the pinched center into the gift bag (on top of the gift). Arrange the paper so it fills the top of the bag. Fluff the paper so it looks full and elegant.
What crafts can I make with Christmas tissue paper? You can make a tissue paper wreath (crumpled squares glued to a paper plate), a tissue paper tree (triangles glued to a paper triangle), tissue paper ornaments (crumpled balls with a string), tissue paper garland (strips strung together), and tissue paper snowflakes (folded and cut). These are all easy crafts for kids.
References
- Amazon. “Christmas Tissue Paper.” Check on Amazon
- Michaels. “Tissue Paper.” https://www.michaels.com/tissue-paper
- Party City. “Christmas Tissue Paper.” https://www.partycity.com/christmas-tissue-paper
