Gift Wrapping Options: The Complete Guide for Shopify Merchants

Gift wrapping might seem like a small detail, but it's one of the most requested features by online shoppers. Studies show that 68% of consumers prefer to purchase from stores that offer gift wrapping, and they're willing to pay a premium for the convenience.

For Shopify merchants, adding gift wrapping options isn't just about meeting customer expectations—it's a proven revenue driver that can add 5-15% to your average order value while creating memorable unboxing experiences.

Why Gift Wrapping Matters for Ecommerce

Unlike physical retail stores, online shoppers can't walk into a gift wrap section. They're counting on you to handle the presentation. Here's why offering this service is essential:

1. Convenience Drives Conversions

Many customers shopping for gifts are time-pressed. If they have to wrap the gift themselves after it arrives, that's friction. Remove that friction, and you'll capture sales from customers who would otherwise shop locally.

2. Premium Perception Increases Value

Beautifully wrapped packages create an impression of quality and care. This perception extends to your brand, making customers more likely to return and recommend you to others.

3. Additional Revenue Stream

Gift wrapping is typically priced at $3-15 per item, with high profit margins. Even if only 10% of orders opt in, the revenue adds up quickly.

Types of Gift Wrapping Options to Offer

The best Shopify stores offer tiered gift wrapping options that cater to different customer needs and budgets:

Basic Gift Wrap ($3-5)

• Simple, elegant wrapping paper
• Coordinating ribbon or bow
• Brand tissue paper
• Standard gift tag

Premium Gift Wrap ($8-12)

• High-quality or specialty wrapping paper
• Satin ribbon with custom finishing
• Personalized gift message card
• Decorative embellishments
• Gift box option

Luxury Gift Presentation ($15-25+)

• Premium branded gift box
• Magnetic closure or ribbon-tied box
• Custom tissue paper and confetti
• Handwritten calligraphy message
• Premium add-ons (dried flowers, wax seals)

Pricing Strategies for Gift Wrapping

Your pricing strategy should balance profitability with customer value. Here are proven approaches:

Cost-Plus Pricing

Calculate your materials cost, add labor (typically 2-3 minutes per item), and add a 40-60% margin. This ensures profitability while staying competitive.

Value-Based Pricing

Price based on the perceived value to the customer. For high-ticket items, customers expect and will pay more for premium presentation.

Free Gift Wrapping Threshold

Pro Tip: Offer free basic gift wrapping on orders over a certain amount (e.g., $75). This encourages customers to add items to their cart while building goodwill.

Implementing Gift Wrapping on Shopify

Option 1: Cart Attributes

Shopify's built-in cart attributes can capture basic gift wrapping requests, but this requires theme customization and doesn't handle pricing automatically.

Option 2: Gift Wrapping Apps

Dedicated apps like WithGifted offer comprehensive gift wrapping and messaging solutions that integrate seamlessly with your store. Benefits include:

Easy setup with no coding required
Automatic pricing and checkout integration
Multiple wrapping tiers and options
Combined gift message and wrapping workflows
Order management and fulfillment support

Option 3: Product Variants

Create a "Gift Wrapping" product with different variants for each tier. Customers add this to their cart with their purchase. While simple, this approach can be clunky for customer experience.

Best Practices for Gift Wrapping Services

1. Showcase Your Wrapping Quality

Add high-quality photos of your gift wrapping options to your product pages and a dedicated "Gift Services" page. Customers want to see exactly what the recipient will experience.

2. Seasonal Themes

Update your wrapping options for major holidays—Christmas, Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, etc. Seasonal wrapping creates urgency and shows attention to detail.

3. Eco-Friendly Options

Offer sustainable wrapping alternatives for environmentally conscious customers. Recycled paper, reusable fabric wraps, and plastic-free ribbons are increasingly popular.

4. Clear Communication

Set expectations about what gift wrapping includes and any limitations. For example, oversized items might not be available for wrapping, or multi-item orders might ship in separate packages.

5. Train Your Team

Consistent, high-quality wrapping requires training. Create photo guides and checklists to ensure every wrapped gift meets your standards.

Combining Gift Wrapping with Gift Messaging

Gift wrapping and gift messaging work together to create a complete gifting experience. When you offer both:

Customers feel they're sending a complete, thoughtful gift
You capture more data about gift recipients (valuable for marketing)
The perceived value of the service increases
Customer satisfaction scores improve significantly

WithGifted combines gift messaging, gift wrapping options, and recipient data capture in one seamless solution—making it easy for Shopify merchants to offer the complete gifting experience.

Measuring Gift Wrapping Success

Track these metrics to optimize your gift wrapping program:

Adoption Rate

What percentage of orders include gift wrapping?

AOV Impact

Do gift wrap orders have higher average values?

Tier Distribution

Which wrapping options are most popular?

Seasonal Trends

When does gift wrapping demand peak?

Customer Feedback

What do recipients say about the presentation?

Take Your Gifting Experience to the Next Level

Gift wrapping is more than a service—it's a statement about your brand's attention to detail and commitment to customer experience. When combined with personalized gift messaging, it creates moments of joy that customers remember and share.

Ready to Add Professional Gift Wrapping?

WithGifted makes it easy to offer gift wrapping and messaging on your Shopify store—start creating memorable gifting experiences today.

Install WithGifted Free →