We may not know what the holiday season will look like this year, but what we do know is that a luxe leather gift tag adds a personal, made-by-hand touch. Follow our easy step-by-step guide and garnish your gifts like a pro.
Published December 17, 2017, Updated November 1, 2020
![What You’ll Need Women with DIY leather gift tag supplies](https://assets.hgtv.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/ddbb656eb49460e521042bb7433424a4_940x640.jpg)
What You’ll Need
The supplies you’ll need include: vegetable tanned leather scraps or hide, strong scissors or shears, mallet and protective rubber board, alphabet stamping kit, round leather drive punch, edge beveller and wood slicker (optional), cookie cutters in various shapes and sizes and ribbon or baker’s twine.
Related: Looking for Ways to Help Spark Creativity at Home? Design a Fun DIY Kids’ Craft Room
![Step One Women with DIY leather gift tag supplies - tracing on leather](https://assets.hgtv.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/c660e92c65662cc43649693b60300238_940x640.jpg)
Step One
Lay out a piece of leather upside-down on a flat surface and trace the shape of a cookie cutter using a pencil or an ultra fine point permanent marker. Be careful not to shift your cookie cutter as you’re tracing.
![Step Two Women cutting out leather shape in shape of treee](https://assets.hgtv.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/6756981076c2d9968f63a3b426fecd0b_940x640.jpg)
Step Two
Gently cut out the shape with sharp scissors. You can tidy up the edges with an edge beveller or wood slicker, but don’t strive for perfection: a slightly raw or worn edge is part of the handmade charm and will age well.
Related: Bring a Citrus Twist to Your Table With These DIY Painted Coasters
![Step Three Women punching a hole in leather gift tag](https://assets.hgtv.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/ea68eaf41bb2763517808d29b8f122bf_940x640.jpg)
Step Three
Punch a hole in the shape with a mallet and a round leather drive punch. Don’t forget to put down a thick rubber board or mat to protect your working surface.
![Step Four Stamping letters into red leather tag](https://assets.hgtv.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/299674f8461198d464680a9ede38a8f2_940x640.jpg)
Step Four
Stamp the recipient’s name, initials or a festive phrase using an alphabet stamping kit. Use a ruler or tape to ensure the letters are aligned correctly. We’ll warn you: with all the hammering, this is a noisy craft! If you live in a condo or apartment, avoid crafting during the early or late hours of the day.
![Step Five woman threading DIY leather gift tag with red and white twine](https://assets.hgtv.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/7971e7870cc585b517e3ae15d58e2c8d_940x640.jpg)
Step Five
Finish by threading a ribbon or piece of baker’s twine through the hole. Look for ribbon or twine to complement the colour of your leather.
![Top Your Gifts Red DIY leather gift tag with the letter R on it](https://assets.hgtv.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/54670c082c82d2bca7e64aad79f959b2_940x640.jpg)
Top Your Gifts
Leather tags make great gift toppers, but they’re also cute on luggage, purses and even door handles! We’d recommend upgrading to a sturdier ribbon or thread should you wish to reuse your leather tag after the holidays.
Related: 20 Stylish Gift Ideas for the Decor Lover on Your List
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