Easy Christmas Present Picks or Bowl Filler

These sweet little homespun Christmas presents are one of those simple holiday crafts that can be used in so many different ways. Add a skewer to turn them into Christmas tree picks, tuck them into a garland or greenery arrangement, or leave the skewer off and use them as bowl filler.

They are incredibly easy to make, require only a few basic supplies, and can be customized with any fabric, ribbon, or color palette that coordinates with your Christmas decor.

For mine, I used burgundy and cream homespun fabric with simple jute twine. I love the warm, old-fashioned look of homespun, especially with my cozy cottage primitive Christmas decor. However, you could make these with traditional Christmas plaid, ticking stripe, velvet, grain-sack-style fabric, or even scraps left over from another holiday project.

The secret to making these little presents especially versatile is using floral foam from Dollar Tree for the center. Because the foam is lightweight and easy to pierce, you can insert a wooden skewer into the bottom and turn each present into a decorative pick. This makes them perfect for tucking into a Christmas tree, wreath, garland, basket, crock, or arrangement.

This is also a wonderful project for using small pieces of fabric you may already have in your craft stash.

A Simple Addition to My Christmas in July Collection

These homespun present picks are part of my 2026 Christmas in July collection.

Last week, I shared the first projects in this year’s collection, and next week I will be bringing everything together during our live Christmas crafting event. These little presents are the perfect bridge between the projects because they can be tucked into a tree or arrangement alongside the other pieces we are creating.

I especially love the idea of using them in a small kitchen Christmas tree. They would look adorable tucked among greenery, gingerbread ornaments, pantry-label tags, wooden ornaments, and little sprigs of berries.

Even though these presents are simple, they add so much texture and warmth to a Christmas display.

Supplies

To make these fabric-wrapped Christmas present picks, you will need:

• Floral foam blocks from Dollar Tree, measuring approximately 2.9 by 3.9 by 3.9 inches
• Homespun fabric or another fabric that coordinates with your Christmas decor
• Jute twine, ribbon, or narrow fabric strips
• Wooden skewer sticks
• Hot glue gun
• Glue sticks
• Scissors
• Wire cutters or heavy-duty scissors, if you need to shorten the skewers
• Optional greenery, berries, bells, tags, or other small embellishments

The floral foam blocks I used are found in the floral and craft section at Dollar Tree. They are the white foam blocks labeled for silk flowers.

You can certainly use another type of lightweight foam, but I particularly like these blocks because they are already close to the size and shape of a small wrapped present. They are also very lightweight, which is important when you are adding them to the branches of a Christmas tree or garland.

Choosing Fabric for Your Christmas Presents

This is a wonderful project to personalize for your own decorating style.

I used two different burgundy and cream homespun fabrics from Hobby Lobby. One has a slightly larger check, while the other has a much smaller check. Using two coordinating patterns gives the arrangement a collected look without making it feel too busy.

You could also use:

• Red and cream ticking
• Black and tan homespun
• Green plaid
• Traditional tartan
• Grain-sack-style fabric
• Drop cloth
• Vintage quilt scraps
• Velvet
• Linen
• Christmas fabric
• Neutral fabric with festive ribbon

Try to choose a fabric that is not overly thick. A lightweight cotton or homespun fabric is easy to fold around the foam and creates cleaner corners.

If you are using fabric with a directional pattern, pay attention to the direction of the design before cutting. Checks, plaids, and ticking are especially forgiving because they look good from almost every angle.

How Much Fabric Will You Need?

The exact amount of fabric will depend on the size of your floral foam and how much overlap you prefer.

You do not need to measure everything perfectly. I find it easiest to place the foam block onto the fabric and bring the fabric up around each side, just as you would when determining how much wrapping paper you need for a real present.

You want enough fabric to completely cover the foam with a little extra for overlapping and folding.

Avoid leaving too much excess fabric, particularly around the ends. Large, bulky folds can make the finished present look uneven. You can always trim away additional fabric before gluing it in place.

Step 1: Prepare the Floral Foam

Begin with one floral foam block.

The Dollar Tree foam I used measures approximately 2.9 inches by 3.9 inches by 3.9 inches. You can leave the block at its original size or cut it into smaller pieces to create presents in several sizes.

For this project, I left mine close to the original size because I wanted the presents to be substantial enough to show up in a Christmas tree or greenery arrangement.

If you decide to cut the foam, use a serrated knife or craft knife and work over a protected surface. Floral foam can be a little messy, so keep a small trash bag or vacuum nearby.

You can create:

• One larger present from the full block
• Two smaller rectangular presents
• Several miniature packages
• A mixture of square and rectangular shapes

Using presents in several sizes would be especially pretty in a large tree, dough bowl, or Christmas centerpiece.

Step 2: Cut the Fabric

Lay your fabric flat with the right side facing down.

Place the floral foam in the center and pull the fabric around it as though you were wrapping a real present. Make sure the fabric can cover all six sides of the foam.

Cut the fabric, leaving enough overlap to secure it with hot glue.

Before gluing, wrap the fabric loosely around the block one more time. This gives you an opportunity to trim away any unnecessary bulk and decide which direction you would like the pattern to run.

With checked or plaid fabric, I like to keep the lines as straight as possible along the edges of the package. It does not need to be absolutely perfect, but keeping the pattern fairly straight helps the finished present look neat.

Step 3: Wrap the Foam Like a Present

Place the foam in the center of the fabric with the side you would like to use as the bottom facing upward.

Pull one long side of the fabric over the foam. Add a thin line of hot glue and press the fabric into place.

Be careful when working with hot glue around floral foam. You only need enough glue to hold the fabric securely. Using too much glue may create hard bumps beneath the fabric.

Pull the opposite side of the fabric over the first side, making sure it is snug but not so tight that it distorts the foam. Secure the overlapping edge with hot glue.

At this point, the center of the block should be completely wrapped, and the fabric at each end will still be open.

Step 4: Fold the Ends

Fold the ends just as you would when wrapping a traditional gift.

Push the sides of the fabric inward to create two flaps. Fold one flap toward the center and secure it with a small amount of hot glue.

Bring the remaining flap over it and glue it into place.

Repeat this process on the opposite end.

Take your time with the corners. Homespun fabric has a naturally soft and slightly frayed appearance, so the package does not need to look perfectly crisp. A little imperfection adds to the handmade, old-fashioned charm.

If you have too much fabric gathered at the ends, trim away a small amount before gluing the final flap.

Once the glue has cooled, look over the present and add a little more glue anywhere the fabric feels loose.

Step 5: Add Twine or Ribbon

Next, wrap the package with jute twine.

I kept mine very simple by wrapping the twine around the present in both directions and tying it into a bow on top.

Begin by placing the center of the twine underneath the package. Bring the ends up over the top, cross them, and then wrap them around the opposite sides. Bring the twine back to the top and tie it securely.

Finish with a simple bow.

You can adjust the loops and trim the ends once the bow is tied.

I love the rustic texture of jute twine with the burgundy homespun fabric. It gives the packages a cozy, primitive look without adding too many embellishments.

However, this is where you can make the presents coordinate with any style of Christmas decor.

Instead of twine, try:

• Velvet ribbon
• Satin ribbon
• Ticking strips
• Torn fabric strips
• Bakers twine
• Gingham ribbon
• Lace
• Narrow plaid ribbon
• Raffia

For a more festive look, you could also tuck a tiny sprig of greenery, a small bell, a dried orange slice, or a miniature tag beneath the bow.

Step 6: Add the Wooden Skewer

To turn the fabric present into a Christmas pick, insert a wooden skewer into the bottom of the floral foam.

Choose the least noticeable side of the present as the bottom. Gently press the pointed end of the skewer through the fabric and into the center of the foam.

Do not push the skewer all the way through the present. Insert it far enough that it feels secure and does not wobble.

If the fabric is difficult to pierce, carefully make a tiny opening with the tip of your scissors before inserting the skewer.

You can also add a small amount of hot glue around the opening before pushing the skewer into the foam. This is optional, but it can help hold the skewer in place if you plan to move the pick frequently.

The length of the skewer will depend on how you plan to display the present.

Leave the skewer longer for:

• Deep Christmas tree branches
• Large greenery arrangements
• Oversized garlands
• Crock or basket arrangements

Shorten the skewer for:

• Small tabletop trees
• Narrow garlands
• Wreaths
• Smaller centerpieces

Use wire cutters or sturdy scissors to trim the skewer. Always cut it before placing the pick into your arrangement.

How to Use the Christmas Present Picks

One of my favorite things about this project is how many different ways the finished presents can be used.

Add Them to a Christmas Tree

Insert the skewer between the branches of your Christmas tree and position the present so it looks like it is resting naturally among the greenery.

The foam is very lightweight, so it will not weigh down the branches the way a real wrapped box might.

Use several presents throughout the tree, or group three together near the base or center of the tree for a larger statement.

These would be especially charming in:

• A kitchen Christmas tree
• A gingerbread tree
• A primitive Christmas tree
• A small tabletop tree
• A woodland tree
• A traditional red and green tree

You could even make smaller packages to fill in empty spaces where a traditional ornament may not sit properly.

Tuck Them into Garland

The wooden skewers make it easy to insert the presents into a garland.

Tuck them into greenery on a mantel, shelf, stair railing, hutch, or kitchen cabinet. Place the present at a slight angle so it appears nestled into the branches.

Pair them with pinecones, berries, bells, candlelight, wooden beads, dried orange slices, or homespun bows.

Use Them in a Wreath

Smaller present picks could be added to a Christmas wreath.

Cluster two or three presents together near the bottom or side of the wreath and surround them with greenery, berries, or ribbon.

Because the presents are lightweight, they are much easier to attach than wooden blocks or real boxes.

Create a Christmas Centerpiece

Add several present picks to a bowl, basket, crock, wooden box, or galvanized container filled with Christmas greenery.

The skewers can be inserted directly into the greenery or into additional floral foam hidden inside the container.

Add cinnamon sticks, dried berries, pinecones, and simple greenery for a warm and cozy arrangement.

Use Them as Bowl Filler

Leave the skewers off and use the presents as bowl filler.

Place them in a dough bowl, basket, trencher, wooden crate, or crock. Mix them with greenery, dried fruit, cinnamon sticks, bells, pinecones, or handmade ornaments.

The homespun fabric makes them look especially pretty in an antique wooden bowl or primitive basket.

Add Them to a Tiered Tray or Shelf

A single little present can also be used as a shelf sitter.

Place one beside a small tree, candle, Santa, snowman, or holiday sign. They are an easy way to add pattern and Christmas color without overwhelming a small display.

Make a Set in Coordinating Fabrics

These look especially pretty when made in sets.

Choose two or three fabrics that share the same colors but have different-sized patterns. For example, you could pair:

• Large burgundy checks with small burgundy checks
• Red ticking with red plaid
• Black homespun with tan ticking
• Green gingham with neutral linen
• Brown plaid with cream grain-sack fabric

The fabrics do not need to match perfectly. Slightly different checks and plaids will make the collection look gathered over time.

For a very simple look, make all of the presents from the same fabric and vary the ribbon or twine.

Optional Embellishment Ideas

I love the simplicity of the homespun and twine, but you can certainly embellish these little presents.

Try adding:

• Miniature rusty bells
• Tiny candy canes
• Faux cedar sprigs
• Dried orange slices
• Small wooden tags
• Miniature pinecones
• Rose hips or berries
• Cinnamon sticks
• Vintage-style buttons
• Small paper labels
• Wax seals
• Torn strips of muslin

Keep the scale of the embellishments in mind. Since the presents are small, one tiny accent is often all they need.

Tips for Making the Presents Look Neat

Although this project is easy, a few small details will help give the finished presents a polished look.

Do not cut the fabric too large. Extra fabric can create bulky folds, particularly on the ends.

Use hot glue sparingly. Too much glue may show through lightweight fabric or create lumps beneath it.

Keep the fabric snug. The fabric should fit closely around the foam without pulling so tightly that the foam bends.

Check your pattern placement. Plaids and checks look best when the lines are reasonably straight.

Choose the bottom before adding the skewer. Place the seam or least-finished side on the bottom whenever possible.

Vary the direction of the bows. When making several presents, turn some of the bows or packages slightly differently so they do not look too uniform in an arrangement.

Can You Make These Without Floral Foam?

Yes. You could wrap small cardboard boxes, wood blocks, or pieces of packing foam.

However, floral foam is ideal when you want to turn the present into a pick. The wooden skewer slides easily into the foam and stays secure without requiring a drill or additional hardware.

Floral foam is also lightweight, inexpensive, and easy to cut into custom sizes.

If you only plan to use the presents as bowl filler, a small cardboard box or recycled packaging would work too.

A Simple Christmas Craft with So Many Possibilities

These homespun Christmas present picks are such a simple project, but they add the sweetest touch to holiday greenery.

I love that they can be customized to fit any Christmas color palette and used year after year. The fabric adds warmth and texture, while the floral foam keeps them light enough to use almost anywhere.

Make a few for a small Christmas tree, create an entire set for your garland, or leave off the skewers and pile them into an old wooden bowl.

They are also a wonderful project to make with leftover fabric and supplies you may already have on hand.

These little presents will be used alongside the other projects in my 2026 Christmas in July collection, and I cannot wait to bring everything together during our live crafting event next week. It is going to be so much fun to see how all of these individual pieces work together to create one cozy, collected Christmas display.