You always place much effort toward choosing a personalized gift for each recipient, yet the jewel within is marred by your botched Christmas present wrapping performance. They say it’s the thought that counts, but whoever says that has never been presented with a garbled mess of paper and ribbon.
The gift says Merry Christmas but you’re wrapping job says bah humbug. Learn how to wrap with stunning detail and impress from the outside in.
Gather the Materials
Perhaps you wrap horribly because you gather needed materials in a hasty manner. Take the time to gather the necessary materials of wrapping paper, scissors, tape, and most importantly, a large and clear surface to work. A big table or the floor provides enough space to place all needed items and pay due diligence to wrapping job at hand.
Address Fragile Pieces
Make sure you position the box right side up so no fragile pieces within get squashed or break while en route to a Christmas party or destination. Secure the opening of the box with a strip of tape before enveloping it in wrapping paper.
Measure Twice and Cut Once
Unfold or roll out the wrapping paper to begin measuring how much you’ll need. Without cutting, position the box in the center of the paper, rolling out enough to cover both sides while accounting for the width of the box as well. Take your time to measure before cutting. Many unimpressive wrapping jobs feature individual and odd-placed pieces of paper rather than one that was measured well.
Tape Half to the Top
After cutting the paper, position the box in the center of the paper and fix the end of one side to the top of the box with a piece of tape. Don’t settle for an awkward or off-center alignment. If it doesn’t look right, undo the tape and start again.
Make an Edge
Before you raise the other side of the paper (to overlap over the first) create a seam, folding the last few centimeters to half an inch and making a tight crease. Bring the side up so it overlaps with the other half and secure with a piece of tape.
Too much tape can distract from the presentation, so buy double-sided tape for a securer fasten as well as a cleaner look.
Fold the Sides
Fold the top flap onto the side, which creates a wing-like effect. Flatten against the present, fold the remaining triangle, and fasten. Repeat for the other side.
The Ribbon
Measure out a piece of ribbon to lap over the box and then recreate the step on the other side, forming an ‘X’ at the top and bottom of the present. You could use more strips to create a different effect, yet sometimes less makes more of an impression. Place the bow on top at the center of the box and you’re good to go.
The Card
The card can awkwardly accompany the box, get lost, or take away from the allure of the wrap, and so on. So, rather than lose the card but maintain the box’s presentation, tape the card squarely to the underside of the box. That way, you won’t lose it and it won’t disturb the wonderful presentation you took so long to provide.
Personal Touch
You don’t want your gift to look too generic, so put a personal touch on it, using colored glitter to write a message atop of the wrapping paper or paste Christmas-like trinkets, like small Santas or personalized Christmas tree ornaments, to the box for added effect. You want the box dress nicely, yet you want it to appear unique as well.
Videos
It’s difficult for some to read textual information while getting a ‘visual’ in their heads. Therefore, complement the above information with a number of instructional videos to help you ‘see’ how others have perfected the art of Christmas wrapping. You’ll soon be impressing friends and gift recipients with your new-found wrapping skills.
Helen Moser is a decorator and hostess extraordinaire. With a deep passion for the holidays, she loves writing about her tips and tricks to fun, beautiful decor to celebrate those special days throughout the year.