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How to Wrap a Gift

Pretty and popular, gift bags have saved many a person the time and trouble of wrapping. But there's something special about receiving a traditionally wrapped gift, complete with ribbons and bows. Besides, if you have a lot of gifts to wrap, buying a bunch of gift bags can add up! Following these simple steps, even the most gift-wrap challenged (yes, you!) will be able to create a beautifully wrapped package in minutes!

Wrapping a box

This method works on any container with a top, a bottom and 4 flat sides. With a little practice you can easily adjust it to work on boxes of different shapes.

  1. Cut a piece of paper about 1-1/2 to 2" wider than the distance around the width of the box (less if it's a really tiny package like a jewelry box). Length of the paper should be the length of the box plus a little more than the height of the box.
  2. Place the box upside down in the center of the paper (in the same direction as you measured in step 1).
  3. Bring one side of the paper up to the center of the box. Unless it will cause damage, tape it to the box.
  4. Wrap the rest of the paper tightly and smoothly around the box. Fold over about 1/2" of the edge to make a straight line and tape.
  5. At each end of the box, fold the sides in against the end to lay flat. This will leave you with 2 triangles - one on the top and one on the bottom.
  6. Fold the upper triangle down against the end of the package. Fold the lower triangle up to cover it. Fold over the end of the lower triangle and tape. Repeat at the other end.
  7. Turn the gift right-side up.
  8. To tie ribbon: lay a long piece of ribbon over the top of the box with the ends draping over the sides.. Bring ends under the bottom of the gift, cross ends, turn them 90 degrees and bring them up over the ends of the box. Tie and add a bow.

    An alternate way to tie ribbon: drape a long piece of ribbon over one corner of the box. Bring ends underneath and tie on top of the opposite (diagonal) corner. Add a bow.

For flat objects (like calendars) skip step 5 and 6. Instead, fold paper to one triangle at each end, fold up and tape.

Wrapping odd-shaped objects

There are numerous ways to wrap oddly shaped gifts, but this one is easy to do and works for everything.

  1. Cut two square pieces of paper, each at least twice as long as the height of the object.
  2. Place the sheets of paper diagonal to each other, so you have 8 distinct "points".
  3. Bring all 8 corners to the top of the object.
  4. Tie paper with a ribbon just above the object. Flare out the points of paper like a flower.

 

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