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Updated Oct 14, 2024How to Wrap a Present Step by Step (With Pictures)
These are the best techniques and easiest hacks.
While finding the perfect gift for your fiancé, parents or friends can be a challenge, there is another part of the gifting process that can also throw you a few curveballs: gift wrapping. If you're wondering how to wrap a present like a pro, you've come to the right place. We've compiled a video tutorial and a step-by-step guide to help you perfect your gift-wrapping techniques. Whether you're handing over an engagement gift to an excited couple or a wedding party gift to your friends and family, we're here to ensure the outside looks just as good as the contents. Learning how to properly wrap a present is a skill worth having and is an excellent way to build anticipation and add a sense of occasion to your gifting rituals. Below, you'll find our easy-to-follow instructions and a few gift-wrapping suggestions for those all-important finishing touches.
In this article:
- How to Wrap a Gift Box (Tutorial)
- How to Wrap Oddly Shaped Gifts
- How to Make Wrapped Gifts Unique
- Sustainable Gift Wrapping Ideas
How to Wrap a Gift Box (Tutorial)
THE KNOT ORIGINAL VIDEO
Before you learn how to gift wrap presents for your loved ones, there are a few things you'll need to do first. Start by gathering all the items to be wrapped, along with your gift-wrapping supplies and give yourself plenty of space (and time) to complete the task. The kitchen table or even the floor works well—basically, any flat surface that offers enough room for laying out your gift wrap and presents. Now, check out our handy tutorial video and step-by-step instructions for an easy way to wrap presents for the holidays, a birthday or any other special occasion.
Gift Wrapping Supplies
- Wrapping paper
- Scissors
- Double-stick tape
- Pencil
- Pen
- Gift tags
- Ribbon
- Bows
Gift Wrapping Steps
1. To measure your wrapping paper, start by placing the paper on a flat surface with the inside facing up.
2. Place the box onto the gift paper and wrap the paper lengthwise around one side of the box, leaving a quarter- or half-inch lip extending over the top.
3. Hold the lip down, then fold the box over with the paper to measure how much you'll need. Mark the paper with a pencil.
4. Measure the height of the narrow sides by leaving enough paper to cover half or three-quarters of the height of the box and mark the paper with a pencil. (You'll probably just need to mark one side, as the other side is measured from the edge of the wrapping paper to the box. Ideally, you should only have to cut the paper on two sides.)
5. Cut the paper with scissors, using your pencil marks as a guide.
6. Place the box upside-down onto the paper, center it vertically and fold the wrapping paper around the box, with the quarter- or half-inch lip curling around the left side.
7. Stretch the paper over the underside of the box so the visible edge of the wrapping paper is flush with the left side. (This hides the seam and ensures the package looks neat from every angle.)
8. Secure the paper with double-stick tape.
9. To fold the open ends, fold down the paper in the middle and crease each side on an angle.
10. Fold the side pieces inward and crease the paper again, making sure everything is neat and tidy.
11. Fold the flap up and secure it with double-stick tape.
12. Repeat steps 9 through 11 on the other side.
13. Add a bow (or a few) to the top of your gift box for a display-worthy finish. You can mix different sizes and textures to create more visual interest. Alternatively, you can wrap a pretty ribbon around the box and tie it in a bow.
14. Finally, don't forget to add a gift card or tag. Secure it to the paper with double-stick tape to ensure it doesn't get lost (and your presents don't get mixed up).
How to Wrap Oddly Shaped Gifts
While wrapping a regular rectangular box is pretty straightforward, things can get a little tricky with more oddly shaped gifts. To help you get around this problem, we've come up with some gift-wrapping hacks to help you disguise weirdly shaped items without ruining the surprise. One of our favorite gift-wrapping ideas is placing a gift in a paper gift bag and concealing it with fancy tissue paper to make it look more luxurious. Simple yet effective, it's one of the best gift-wrapping methods and is guaranteed to save you time or help you out in a pinch. For smaller things like gift vouchers or cash, a personalized envelope or a thoughtful card is always a winner. You could also hide your gift inside a little box and wrap it with paper and ribbon.
Another easy way to wrap presents that aren't uniform in shape is to put them in cotton or muslin drawstring bags. These work well for several reasons: They come in different sizes, they're reusable and the flexible fabric can fit various items while still providing enough structure to keep everything neat. Gather + Knot offers cute fabric sacks in fun and colorful patterns, but you can also find plenty of other options on Amazon.
How to Make Wrapped Gifts Unique
Now that you know how to wrap a present perfectly, you're probably wondering how to make it look more personal. Simple things like adding a ribbon or bow can create some extra pizzazz, as can affixing a pretty gift tag to the outside. If you're wrapping Christmas presents, you can wind some sparkly twine or tartan ribbon around your gift and make a bow for a festive finish.
Unique gift-wrapping ideas don't stop here, though. If you've got the time and materials, there are even more creative gift-wrapping methods you can try, like crafting your own tags or decorating your own paper. Even something as simple as brown paper can be transformed with hand-drawn sketches, stamped motifs or ribbons from your box of odds and ends. Ultimately, your imagination is the limit when adding a bespoke touch to your gift wrapping. Don't forget to have some fun—this is a gift, after all!
Sustainable Gift Wrapping Ideas
We couldn't complete an article on how to wrap gifts without considering the materials required to make them look pretty. Eco-friendly gift wrapping is growing in popularity and it's not hard to see why—looking for ways to reduce waste when wrapping presents is a no-brainer. Simple hacks like choosing brown paper over lavish foil and glitter designs can pay off in dividends, as plainer gift wrap is generally easier to recycle and doesn't contain microplastics like some of the fancier stuff. You can also opt for a reusable tote or a drawstring bag so the recipient can repurpose it after opening their gift. If you're committed to finding more sustainable holiday gift-wrapping materials (including compostable and reusable options), check out these retailers below:
