How to Use Gift Wrap

Present your friends and relatives with gifts you're proud to say you wrapped yourself.

Once your holiday or birthday gift shopping is done, you may breathe a sigh of relief, but you still need to wrap your gifts. If you feel as though you're all thumbs, you can still give beautifully wrapped presents to your friends and relatives. Measuring wrapping paper carefully and tucking in all cut ends will go a long way in helping you to avoid gift-wrapping fiascoes. Gather all of your supplies ahead of time, and don't be afraid to be creative when it comes to adding finishing touches.

Things You'll Need

• Gift wrap
• Clear tape
• Scissors
• Bows, ribbons or other finishing touches

Instructions

1. Unroll or unfold your wrapping paper and lay the gift on the unprinted side, several inches from the end of the roll.

2. Fold the edges of the paper up loosely around the gift to gauge how much paper you will need. Mentally add an extra couple of inches and cut the paper straight across to make a rectangle or a square.

3. Center the gift upside down on the cut-out square of gift wrap. Fold the left side of the paper up, creasing it firmly against the edge of the gift and onto the top of the gift. Tape the edge of the gift wrap into place.

4. Fold a 1-inch margin on the right side of the gift wrap to make a clean edge, then fold the right side of the paper up and over the gift, allowing it to overlap the side of the gift wrap that is already taped in place. If you have too much paper, trim off the excess and refold another 1-inch margin. Tape the edge into place.

5. Press in two of the corners of the side of the gift wrap that is now farthest away from you. Crease the edges down to the edge of the gift. You will now have two flaps on that side. First fold up the bottom flap, then the top, and tape them into place. If you have paper hanging over the edge of your gift, trim it. Repeat this process with the side closest to you.

6. Check your gift to make sure you have no raw edges of gift wrap showing. If you do, either tape them down or cut them away. Turn the gift over so that the seamless side is on top.

7. Add finishing touches. Place a bow on the top of the gift, or make your own by curling ribbon. If it is wintertime, you could make paper snowflakes to add to the present. You could tape a candy bar or a package of gum to the gift if your recipient has a sweet tooth, or you could add hair ornaments to a gift for a little girl. Add the person's name to the gift. Use your imagination to personalize your present.

Tips & Warnings

• If you need to stack your gifts, or if you need to store your present for a while, postpone adding finishing touches. This will prevent them from becoming crushed or, in the case of edible decorations, from melting.

References

• RealSimple: How to Wrap a Present
• MarthaStewart.com: Gift Wrapping Ideas