First impressions matter. Yeah we all know it's really what's on the inside that counts, but when it comes to gift-giving, it's the packaging that sets the tone. And gifts are a big part of Christmas - in the words of Little Women's Jo March in the 1860s: "Christmas won't be Christmas without any presents!" So, whether you're giving a prezzie to a friend or family member, or you're a brand sending out some goodies, how can you make sure they look as good as possible? We've put together a guide to making the perfect present packaging to help you out...

To start - let's, er, wrap it up? Wrapping and tissue paper

When you think of present packaging, what do you think of first? Let me guess - wrapping paper? It's hard to imagine Christmas without it, especially when you picture the tree all decorated and you're trying to guess what Santa might have left you... Jewellery? A pair of shoes or a jumper? Books? Some soap or candles? Whatever's inside, wrapping paper is a classic product of Xmas for good reason. Pro tip: Measure it before cutting to avoid waste and achieve a nice, professional finish.

But recently I've also been using tissue paper to wrap my gifts - it adds a great element of luxury and protection to what's inside. There's tonnes of colours to choose from, whether you're trying to match it to the season, or you just want to make the present pop. Either way, they're both great choices to take that first step in making your presents look really pretty!

The icing on the cake! Stickers, ribbons, and bows

Next? Seal it with a sticker! I'm not the only one who still gets excited by stickers, right? I bet I’m not (or I hope not anyway), and they look great on present packaging, either as well as or even instead of a bit of packaging tape. So why not add a festive sticker to your wrapping paper or tissue paper to seal the deal? (They also look great on gift boxes and bags, but more on those in a bit.)

Quick tip - try not to overdo it on the stickers and tape, no one wants to be wrestling with the present too much when they're eager to get it open and find out what's inside! (I speak from experience here...)

And of course there's ribbon - the cherry on top of any present. Tie some festive ribbon around your gift or stick a pre-made bow on top - either way, you can't really go wrong. And don't forget about gift tags and cards, where you can write a personalised note to the lucky recipient, so they know who their lovely present is from! (Unless you want to remain mysterious of course, say for a Secret Santa present.)

For an eco-friendly finish, grab a paper gift bag

To really finish it all off, why not pop your present in a paper gift bag? They're a great way to give people gifts, especially if you're giving them more than one. You wouldn't want to ruin it by giving presents to someone in a rubbish old plastic bag, would you? Not only are gift bags an eco-friendly alternative, they're way prettier too - with looads of colours and styles to choose from.

Don't want to use wrapping paper? Try a gift box

While wrapping paper might be the star of Christmas, it's not the only way to present your gifts. Why not pop them in a pretty gift box with a bit of shredded tissue paper inside to pad it out, because isn't it fun to rummage around a bit to find what's inside?

Take some time choosing a box that fits the gift to a T, whether it's a standard lid and base, a flat pack, or a magnetic box that practically begs to be a Christmas Eve or Christmas Day hamper. (They're the perfect solution if you have several gifts and don't want to wrap each one!) Just make sure your packaging is appropriately sized - a tiny product definitely does not need an oversized box. And again, tie some ribbon around the box, and add a few stickers for the icing on the cake (especially if the box itself is plain).

Cotton bags are also great for presenting small items that are perhaps too delicate to be wrapped, or if you're looking for something that will house a few different smaller products together in a gift set (like a mini cosmetic collection). Pop these either in a gift box or a paper gift bag, or they can be used all on their own as a really lovely present packaging solution.

And there we are! How to create perfect present packaging that looks great. Now that you’re equipped with everything you need to make your presents shine, head over to Tiny Box Company's Christmas collection - with advent calendars and cracker boxes available too - and check out our 10 tips here on designing a festive packaging range.