Chalk Couture Gift Tag for Christmas Packages

I made the cutest wooden Christmas gift tag with a Chalk Couture transfer, and it turned an ordinary wrapped box into something that feels extra special. The finished tag looks like a little postcard sent straight from the North Pole, and once the gift is opened, it can be used as a Christmas ornament too.

Supplies I Used

For this project, I started with a Chalk Couture five by seven Simple Tag. It comes with jute for hanging, so I removed that before painting and saved it for the end.

I also used the From the North Pole transfer, Bright White for the background, Cherry for the design, surface wax, greenery, cranberries, small white berry stems, ribbon, and hot glue.

The wrapped package already had a big bow, so my plan was to attach the finished tag to the bow and add a few holiday sprigs around it. My box was a little small for such a large tag, but I happen to like a package that makes a statement.

Painting the Wooden Tag

I used Bright White to paint the front of the Simple Tag. You can paint both sides if you want the back finished too, but I only painted the front for this project.

The first coat covered well, though I wanted a solid white background behind the red design, so I added another coat. I used a toothbrush handle through the hole at the top to keep the tag from sliding around while I painted. Any small tool that fits through the hole can help you hold it steady without putting your fingers in the wet paint.

Chalk paste works well for painting these small surfaces, and I use it that way often. Once I had the coverage I wanted, I let the tag dry and cool completely before moving on.

Adding the Chalk Couture North Pole Design

Waxing the painted surface

I rubbed a little surface wax over the painted tag. This adds a bit of protection and helps keep a sticky transfer from pulling up the painted background.

You only need a light amount. I worked it over the surface, then made sure the tag felt smooth before applying the design.

Fuzzing and placing the transfer

Chalk Couture transfers are sticky, which helps create those clean designs, but a fresh transfer can grip a painted surface a little too well. I fuzzed the From the North Pole transfer first to reduce the stickiness.

After fuzzing it, I centered the design on the tag and pressed it down. I made sure the transfer was smooth and fully attached around the detailed areas so the paste wouldn’t slip underneath.

Applying the Cherry color

I used Cherry for the whole design. The red against the bright white background gave me that classic Christmas look, and it coordinated nicely with my wrapping paper and bow.

After spreading the color over the transfer, I peeled it back slowly. Pulling it up at a steady pace gave me time to check the design as I went. If an area had been missed, I could have placed the transfer back down and touched it up before removing it completely.

The design has a slightly distressed look in a few areas, which works perfectly with the postcard style. I set the transfer aside to wash with cold water and let the finished tag dry before attaching it to the gift.

Turning the Tag Into a Package Decoration

The Simple Tag comes with jute, so I threaded that back through the hole and tied the tag onto my package bow. You could also use ribbon if you want it to blend into the bow or add another color and texture.

The tag is generously sized, and I think it would look especially good on a larger box. It still worked on my smaller package, but a bigger package would give the design more room to stand out.

I used a fun North Pole newspaper style wrapping paper, which made the red and white tag feel like it belonged with the package. Any simple paper would work too. Kraft paper, solid white paper, or a red Christmas print would all let the tag become the main feature.

Dressing Up the Bow

I wanted a little more texture around the tag, so I added greenery directly to the bow. I tucked in a few small sprigs, then glued on white berry stems and deep red cranberries.

I used hot glue to hold everything in place and pressed the pieces down with the end of my toothbrush handle so I could keep my fingers away from the glue. Once the glue had set, the greenery and berries made the bow look full without covering the North Pole design.

Since the greenery is attached to the bow, the ribbon can still be reused after the present is opened. The wooden tag can also be removed and hung on the Christmas tree using the same jute.

More Ways to Use the Tag

This tag works beautifully on a gift, but it has plenty of other uses. You can add it to a wreath, hang it from a cabinet knob, tie it onto a basket, or use it as an ornament.

You could also paint both sides and add a handwritten message to the back. That would turn the tag into a keepsake the recipient can enjoy every Christmas.

The five by seven size gives the design plenty of presence, so it works especially well anywhere you want one festive piece to stand out. Just let each painted layer dry, wax the surface lightly, and fuzz the transfer before pressing it onto the tag.

Chalk Couture supplies I used

• From The North Pole
• Surface Wax

You can shop my full Chalk Couture store here.

I am an independent Chalk Couture designer, so I earn a commission on these links. See my disclosure for more.