The Best Step-by-Step Guide to Gift Wrapping Like a Pro
You did it: You've picked out the world’s greatest present! The meticulous hours spent browsing shelves, online stores, gift guides, and more have lead you to this exact moment, finally able to gift this perfect object to someone you care about. But there’s one thing that could throw a wrench in the whole “perfect” thing: Gift wrapping.
For those of us who groan at the thought of wrapping presents, this step-by-step guide on how to wrap a gift is for you. (It was photographed at The Mercantile, Ree Drummond's bakery, store, and restaurant in Pawhuska, Oklahoma, so you know it'll be gorgeously wrapped!) Say goodbye to the days of family members mocking your sloppily wrapped gifts every Christmas. No longer will you be tangled in a web of tape, ribbon, and wrapping paper. That feeling of shame you get when purchasing a gift bag? A thing of the past! Your Christmas presents, birthday presents, anniversary presents, and any other special occasion gifts will get a serious makeover thanks to these easy-to-follow techniques.
You’ll be proud to deliver your present to the lucky recipient. It has impeccably folded paper and a ribbon flourish on top, after all. If you wince when they start tearing into the paper, that’s just the sign of a job well done. Once you’ve read these simple steps, you’ll be on your way to becoming a gift wrapping pro in no time! (And check out these DIY gift wrapping ideas for some gorgeous inspiration.)
What You’ll Need to Wrap a Gift
Wrapping paper (the thicker, the better)
Gift boxes
Tissue paper (if needed, for fragile items)
Sharp scissors
Tape (opt for double-sided for a true professional look)
Ribbon (optional)
Step One: Measure and Cut Paper
Roll out your paper with the pattern facing the ground and place your box face down. For a rectangle, it’s advisable to keep the box vertical, with the long sides parallel to the end of the roll. Cut above the box toward the roll, leaving enough paper on either end.
Step Two: Tape One Side to the Box
With the box centered on your piece of paper, lift one side up and tape it halfway across the box. This helps keep the box in place.
Step 3: Fold Other Side and Bring to the Edge
Unroll the paper, lift it all the way to the end of edge of the box, and cut. Fold the end in so you have a clean line and tape it down.
Step 4: Tuck and Fold One End
All that’s left to tackle are the ends. Taking one at a time, tuck each side inward to make four 45-degree-angle flaps.
Step 5: Fold Top Down, Lift Bottom Up
Take the top and fold it down, creating a sharp crease where it meets the bottom of the box. Finally, lift the bottom flap up, fold the top for a clean line, and tape down.
Step 6: Flip the Box and Finish the Last Side
At this point, you can flip the box so that it's the right-side up to repeat step five and fold in the last side.
Step 7: Add Ribbon
No present is complete without a ribbon on top. Lay the box facedown on a long piece of ribbon and pull the ribbon ends up over the box so they cross in the middle.
Step 8: Thread the Ribbon
Turn the box over so that it's right-side up. Thread the ends under the ribbon and then tie in a bow in the middle.
Step 9: Add Any Other Embellishments
More is more when it comes to gift wrapping. Tie on a few artificial flowers, an ornament, or stick on a pretty label to go all out. You'll be so impressed with the finished product!
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