How do I wrap presents well?
Measure before cutting, crease everything, and the technique for awkward shapes.
- Difficulty
- beginner
- Time
- 15 min
- Read
- 2 min
Short answer
Cut the paper so it overlaps by about 3cm, and crease every fold sharply with a fingernail. Sharp creases are what makes wrapping look neat — not expensive paper.
Wrapping looks better or worse almost entirely because of creases and paper quantity. Both are free to get right, and neither requires any particular dexterity.
What you'll need
- Wrapping paper
- Scissors
- Tape
- Ribbon (optional)
- Gift bags for awkward shapes (optional)
Step by step
- Measure before cutting.Roll the box across the paper to check it goes round with about 3cm overlap, and that there is enough at the ends to reach roughly halfway up the side. Cutting too much is the most common error and it makes the ends bulky.
- Cut a straight line.Fold the paper over and cut along the fold, or use the grid printed on the back of many rolls. A wavy edge shows on every seam.
- Fold the leading edge over before taping.A small fold on the edge that will be visible gives a clean straight line rather than a cut one. It is the single detail that makes wrapping look done properly.
- Pull the paper taut.Snug against the box before taping. Loose paper creases badly and looks untidy no matter what you do afterwards.
- Crease every fold sharply.Run a fingernail or the edge of the scissors along each fold. Sharp creases are what distinguish neat wrapping from wrapping, and they cost nothing.
- Do the ends properly.Push the sides in to form two triangles, fold the top flap down, then the bottom flap up, creasing each. Tape at the end rather than as you go.
- Use a bag or a box for awkward shapes.Anything round, soft or irregular is far better in a gift bag, or boxed first. Fighting to wrap a football is a waste of an evening.
- Use double-sided tape for a clean finish.No visible tape at all. It costs slightly more and it looks considerably better.
Tips
- Heavier paper is easier to work with and tears less. Very thin paper is a false economy.
- Wrap on a hard flat surface, not a carpet or a lap. It makes creasing and cutting far easier.
- Fabric wraps and reusable bags are quicker than paper, produce no waste, and can be used again for years.
Questions people ask
How much paper do I need?
Enough to go round with about 3cm overlap, and enough at each end to reach roughly halfway up the side of the box. More than that makes the ends bulky.
How do I wrap something round?
Use a gift bag, or put it in a box first. Round and irregular shapes take far more effort than the result justifies.