DIY Paperwhite Flower Bulb Gift Ideas (Planting Holiday Cheer!)
If you’re looking for flower bulb gift ideas that are thoughtful, easy, and elegant, this DIY paperwhite project is the perfect choice. It’s simple enough for non-gardeners, affordable to make in batches, and blooms just in time for Christmas.
Paperwhites add a bright, fragrant touch to the holiday season. And their graceful blooms make them the perfect hostess gift!
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Why a Paperwhite Bulb Gift?
Paperwhites are one of the easiest flowers to grow indoors during winter. Once “forced”, they’ll bloom within 4–6 weeks. Just in time for Christmas!
They make a charming holiday gift that’s:
- Unique and handmade – more personal than store-bought gifts.
- Low-maintenance – even non-gardeners can grow them.
- Budget-friendly – you can make several at once.
- Festive – their white blooms fit beautifully with holiday décor.
Paperwhites are very fragrant. They have a strong, sweet, musky scent that fills a room once they bloom.
What You’ll Need
You don’t have to spend much to make these look beautiful. You can use what you have on hand or pick up supplies for just a few dollars.
Core Items:
- Paperwhite bulbs (usually sold in garden centers or online in fall)
- Containers: mason jars, recycled glass jars, thrifted glassware, tin cans wrapped in burlap, or dollar store vases (no drainage needed)
- Pebbles, river stones, or potting soil
- Water
Optional For Gifting:
- Ribbon or twine
- Holiday embellishments (tiny ornaments, pinecones, or faux greenery)
- Free printable tag below, explaining how to care for the bulbs
Pro Tip: You can never make too many! A few matching jars of blooming paperwhites lined up together make a stunning holiday centerpiece.
When to Start Paperwhite Bulbs for Christmas
Paperwhites typically take 4 to 6 weeks to bloom. For Christmas blooms, start them mid to late November or right around Thanksgiving.
If you’re giving them as gifts earlier in December, start them a week or two ahead of that so the recipient can enjoy watching them grow.
For continuous paperwhite blooms all season long at home, start a new batch every week or two.
Step-by-Step: How to Make a Paperwhite Gift Jar
1. Add The Base Layer
Fill your jar halfway with pebbles or small stones. This gives the bulbs something to rest on and keeps them out of sitting water. You can also fill the jar halfway with potting soil.
2. Position the Bulbs
Place your paperwhite bulbs on top of the stones, pointed side up and roots down. The rocks or soil need to provide an anchor to hold the bulb as it grows, but it should not be buried completely.
3. Add Water
Pour water into the jar until it just touches the bottom of the bulbs. You don’t want them submerged, just close enough for the roots to reach the moisture at all times.
4. Decorate the Jar
Tie a ribbon or twine around the top and add an ornament or piece of faux greenery. You can even wrap the outside with burlap or place the jar in a small basket.
5. Include Care Instructions
Add the printable tag below with instructions: “Keep paperwhite bulbs just above water. Place in sunlight. Watch them bloom!”
Can you plant paperwhite bulbs outdoors? Paperwhites are not hardy in most cold climates. In warm regions (zones 8–11), you can plant them outdoors in fall, and they’ll bloom naturally in late winter or early spring.
Easy Add-Ons and Gift Tag Ideas
Turn your simple jar into a complete gift with small extras:
- A holiday tea bag or hot cocoa packet tied to the jar
- A mini ornament or bell on the ribbon
- A gift card tucked under the twine
- Write a cute message on the back of the printable instructions tag, like:
- “Let your Christmas spirit bloom!
- “You make life bloom brighter.”
- “Planting a little Christmas cheer.”
- “Blooming with holiday cheer!”
- “Let it grow, let it grow, let it grow!”
- “Thanks for helping me grow.” (for teachers or mentors)
Pro Tip: Once they bloom, move paperwhites to a cooler location to extend flowering time.
Free Printable Paperwhite Bulb Instruction Gift Tags
To use the tags below:
- Download the free printable tags.
- Cut out the tags. Secure them with twine or ribbon.
- Attach to your jar.
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What’s Next?
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