The gifts are all bought – neatly lined in a row –
now for the wrapping paper and the big red bow…
But the problem is this: your hands are all thumbs
and your gifts need to look fabulous not dumb.
That’s where I can be of help:
to show how easy it can be
to turn a simple box into a masterpiece.
Firstly, you need to gather some supplies. The basics are: scissors, wrapping paper, transparent sticky tape (sellotape), a bow or some ribbon and a gift tag or sticker.
Make sure you buy enough wrapping paper to cover the entire gift. If you’re not sure how much you’ll need, measure the gift or buy two rolls of the same wrapping paper.
If you want to save money and keep the kids busy, buy A2 or A1 sheets of blank paper and let the kids draw on them or dip their hands or thumbs in paint and create print-artworks. Alternatively you can paint or decorate plain A4 sheets and just tape them together at the back.
If you want your gift to look extra special, buy a ready-made bow or a long length of ribbon to tie around the box and then into a bow. You can also tie strips of leftover fabric or even shoelaces around a box or parcel for an interesting twist.
One of the most important steps when wrapping a gift, is attaching a tag. This ensures that the right person gets the right gift. Gift tags come in all shapes and sizes – from little blackboard squares to elaborate wooden frames. Consider choosing an elaborate tag to use with plain wrapping paper and a simple cardboard card if you’re using patterned paper.
When you’ve gathered all your materials clear a flat space (like a table top or the floor) to work on.
Step 1:
Place the gift in the centre of the gift wrap.
Step 2:
Fold one half of the paper over the gift, tucking in the edges.
Step 3:
Fold the other edge over.
Step 4:
Secure it with tape.
Step 5: Press the top part of the wrapping paper down and against the gift.
Step 6:
Fold the corners inwards
Step 7:
Fold the entire piece upwards and secure with tape.
Step 8:
Repeat on the other side.
Step 9:
Embellish with a bow, piece of ribbon or even just a nice name tag.
Tips and variations:
Use cellophane or crepe paper as gift wrap.
If your gift is an unusual shape, place it in a box and fill with tissue paper or wrap it with multiple layers of paper.
For a 2-in-1 gift, wrap the gift in a scarf (women) or tie it with a necktie (men).
Use plain wrapping paper and glue a strip of patterned gift wrap around the middle.
Black paper will create a stunning contrast when used with bright or silver and gold ribbons or a bow.
Sources: https://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/how-to-wrap-a-gift.navId-403678.html, https://www.yummymummyclub.ca/blogs/lisa-thornbury-party-mummy/gift-wrapping-for-dummies, https://www.oprah.com/food/How-to-Wrap-a-Gift-Use-our-Step-by-Step-Guide
