How to Disguise a Gift with Wrapping

It's always fun to surprise friends and family with creatively deceptive gift wrap. Here are a few tips that will get you started in creating a great surprise.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Gift
• Tape
• Wrapping paper
• Scissors
• Ribbon
• Boxes
• Random found objects
• Plastic tablecloth
• Newspaper

1. Start by making the gift as small as you can. For example, fold down a special concert tee until it fits inside a coffee mug. Then when you go to wrap the mug, the gift will be a lot heavier than the recipient would expect.
2. Gather alternative wrapping materials. Utilize oddly shaped yet common items. Potato chip cans, luggage and empty jars are all fair game. Go shopping in the basement or garage. Does your family have a clean yet quirky vintage box, originally used for toys or shoes? What about boxes for 1990's computer programs? These can be hilarious detours to further confuse the recipient while opening your gift.
3. Think nesting objects. Wrap the original small object, then put that into another container, and wrap. Repeat as often as possible. Weigh the gift down as you go along.
4. As the gift gets bigger and heavier, traditional wrapping paper won't cut it. You can use newspaper, but I recommend going to a party store or card shop and buying a cheap plastic tablecloth. These can be purchased for a dollar or two, but don't tear as easily as paper.
5. Consider a part for the whole. It's hard to wrap a car or a house, but reasonable to wrap the keys.

Tips & Warnings

• Let your family help you wrap. Kids particularly like to disguise gifts.
• Remember to remove the price tag.