If you've got a button tin and a roll of twine sitting around, this short video is for you. I show seven different ways to wrap a gift using nothing more than those two things — plus a few extras from my stash like dried flowers, a small branch from outside, a doily, and some handmade paper buttons. The techniques range from a single shank button tied into a simple bow to layered multi-button arrangements using four-hole buttons threaded and wrapped around the package. Whether you're wrapping for Christmas or any other occasion throughout the year, there's something here to spark an idea.
What we cover
A roundup of button-and-twine gift wrapping ideas — how to thread and knot buttons onto a parcel, how to layer multiple buttons along twine, how to use a doily as a base for an oversized handmade button, and a few small techniques that make the finishing details look deliberate and tidy.
What you'll learn
How to tie a shank button onto a wrapped parcel with twine, including:
- Looping both thread ends through the shank in opposite directions so the button sits centred
- Finishing with a small bow, or leaving the ends loose for a more minimal look
- Adding a natural element — a small branch, a dried flower, or a single rose — tucked under the twine for almost no extra effort
How to thread a two-hole button directly onto twine, pulling both ends through separate holes and tying the knot on top of the button rather than beneath it, so the button becomes the focal point of the tie
How to hide a bow underneath the button — by threading the button onto the twine before you wrap the package, getting the button centred, wrapping and twisting at the back, then tying the bow and sliding it underneath so the button sits on top and the bow peeks out below
How to get bow tails going in the same direction, including:
- Identifying which thread is pointing downward before you form the loop
- Going under the loop rather than over when completing the bow — the one adjustment that makes the tails land on the same side consistently
How to layer multiple buttons along a single piece of twine, including:
- Threading two or more buttons through the first set of holes in one pass, wrapping the twine around, then going back through the second set of holes
- Using a separate, shorter piece of twine wrapped around the middle of the arrangement to add a second bow without obscuring the buttons
- Applying a small piece of sticky tape to hold twine in place on the parcel while you work through multiple buttons — much easier than trying to juggle everything at once
How to use a four-hole button in a cross or diagonal stitch pattern on a package — going through two diagonal holes, wrapping around, repeating in the other direction, then tying off at the back and trimming or taping the ends flat
How to pair a doily with a large handmade paper button — placing the doily flat on the package, centring the button on top, and threading twine through the button holes to secure both the doily and the button in a single tie
Tips & gotchas
If your twine keeps unravelling at the tip and you can't get it through the button holes cleanly, add a tiny drop of glue to the end and let it set for a moment. It stiffens the fibres just enough to thread like a needle. Tweezers can help too, especially with smaller holes.
When you're building up a layered button arrangement and need to keep the twine taut while you add more buttons, a small piece of sticky tape on the back or underside of the package holds everything in position. It sounds fiddly but it genuinely makes the difference between a neat result and one that shifts around as you work.
The bow-direction trick is worth practising once before you're wrapping a stack of presents on Christmas Eve. Look at which thread is angling downward before you form your loop — then go under the loop rather than over it when you complete the bow. Your tails will land on the same side. It's a small thing but it makes the finished bow look much more intentional.
One thing I'm careful about during demonstrations: I try not to cut twine mid-way through if I want to reuse it. If you're working from a limited amount, plan your lengths before you start wrapping rather than trimming as you go.
The wrapping becomes part of the gift. I also have a full video on making oversized paper buttons from scratch if you want to go even further with the handmade element — those are the large four-hole buttons I use in the doily combination here, and they're surprisingly quick to make.
