How to Wrap a Perfect Gift

Wrapping a gift beautifully is a process.

A beautifully wrapped gift contains more than the present inside the package. Perfectly wrapping a gift means paying attention to the components that comprise gift wrapping. With each step, from box to bow, you will see the ideal in your head meet with the product of your careful efforts. You can wrap a perfect gift.

Things You'll Need

• Gift box
• Wrapping paper
• Colored tissue paper
• Ribbon
• Wire-edged ribbon
• Two-sided tape
• Rolling scissors

Instructions

Box and Paper

1. 

   Perfect gift wrapping begins with the box.

   Choose a box. The right box should accommodate tissue paper with room for your gift to easily fit inside.

2. 

   Use wrapping paper that matches the occasion and the recipient's personality.

   Select wrapping paper, matching ribbon and a bow that suits the occasion and the recipient. You may want a solid color or paper with patterns. The Container Store recommends selecting paper with small print for small packages and larger print for larger boxes.

3. 

   Tissue paper comes in many colors.

   Line the box with tissue paper. Allow enough to hang over the sides of the box. Place the gift in the box. Wrap the tissue paper over the gift. Put the top on the box.

4. 

   Cut wrapping paper to fit the box that holds your gift.

   Spread or unroll a sheet of wrapping paper on the table. Place the box upside down on the paper. Situate the box on the paper so that it will fold across the box and overlap on the bottom (which is facing up) of the box. Leave enough paper on the ends of the box to fold and cover the ends of the box.

5. Fold the paper with one side over about an inch of the box bottom, and tape in place. Wrap the paper all the way around the box, over the secured side and even with the edge of the box. Secure with two-sided tape.

6. Turn the box right-side up. Push in the sides of each end, creasing the top and bottom of the paper in toward the box ends. Fold the bottom end of the paper up, and fold the top end of the paper downward to cover the bottom end that is taped to the box. Fold the top edge of the paper so that it aligns with the bottom of the box end. Tape in place.

Ribbon and Bow

1. 

   Select a ribbon color to complement wrapping paper.

   Set the box facing up. To make a basic bow, wrap ribbon from a spool around the box length and bring the spool to the center of the box. Leave sufficient ribbon to form a handmade bow.

2. 

   Tie ribbon around a box to meet in the center.

   Cross the loose ribbon end with ribbon on the spool end, wrapping each ribbon end around the box width. Cut the spool end of ribbon to match the length of the the other end. Tie the ribbon in a knot where the ribbon crosses in the center.

3. 

   A handmade bow is simple to make.

   Make a handmade bow by cutting wire-edge ribbon in a length to accommodate the size of bow you want to make. Make two matching loops, and cross the right loop over the left. Tie the loops in a knot. Tie the bow tight, and make the bow loops match. Tape to the center of the ribbon on the box.

Tips & Warnings

• Experiment with ribbon and bow placement for different wrapping effects.

References

• The Container Store: Gorgeous Gift Presentation

Resources

• The Humor Columnist: Twelve Easy Steps for Wrapping Perfect Gifts