Tips and Tricks For Perfectly Wrapping Presents

Whether you’re wrapping a present for a birthday, holiday, or just because, there’s nothing quite like the satisfaction of a present perfectly wrapped. But if you’re not a professional gift-wrapper, it can be easy to end up with wrinkled paper, wonky corners, and tape all over the place. Never fear—we’ve gathered some of the best tips and tricks from gift-wrapping experts to help you make your presents look picture-perfect. Just follow these simple steps and you’ll be wrapping like a pro in no time!

Pick the Right Paper

The first step to perfect present-wrapping is picking out the right paper. If you’re going for a classic look, opt for solid-colored wrapping paper in red, green, or white. If you want something a little more festive, go for paper with patterns or shiny accents. And if you’re really feeling creative, try using newspapers, maps, or even brown craft paper—the possibilities are endless! Just make sure that whatever paper you choose is thick enough to hold up under the weight of your present without tearing.

Cut Clean Lines

One of the easiest ways to ruin a perfectly good piece of wrapping paper is to cut it into jagged, uneven lines. To avoid this mistake, use a sharp pair of paper scissors (or a rotary cutter if you have one) and cut along both sides of a ruler to ensure perfectly straight edges. You can also fold your wrapping paper in half before cutting to create evenly-sized pieces that are easier to work with.

Create Crisp Corners

Even if you’ve cut your wrapping paper perfectly, it can still end up looking crumpled and wrinkled if you don’t fold the corners correctly. To achieve sharp, clean corners every time, fold each side of the wrapping paper in toward the center of the present so that the edges meet in the middle. Then use your thumb to push down on the centerfold and crease all four edges firmly. This will give you nice, crisp corners that will stay in place no matter how much shuffling and shaking your present goes through.

“Measure Twice, Cut Once.” 

This age-old saying definitely applies when it comes to wrapping presents! Before you start cutting or folding your wrapping paper, take a few moments to double-check the dimensions of your present. That way you can be sure that your paper is big enough to wrap around it completely with plenty of extra room for overlapping at the seams. Better too big than too small—you can always trim off any excess paper after you’ve wrapped your present but filling in any gaps is much more difficult (not to mention less attractive).

“Less is More” When it Comes to Tape

Applying tape should be considered an art form—too little and your wrapper will come undone before your recipient has even had a chance to open it; too much and you’ll end up with more tape than wrapper! A general rule of thumb is to apply two strips of tape per side: one strip along the seam where the two pieces of paper overlap and another strip about an inch away from that one (toward the outer edge of the wrapper). This will ensure that your wrapper stays securely in place without becoming overly bulky or wrinkled from too much tape. Strategic placement of double sided tape is also another attractive option if you want to hide the tape entirely so all your recipient sees is the gift wrap that you worked so hard on.

By following these five simple tips, you’ll be able to wrap any present like a pro! Just remember to start with high-quality gift wrap, cut clean lines with sharp scissors, create crisp corners by folding correctly, “measure twice and cut once,” and use tape sparingly for best results. With just a little bit practice (and maybe a YouTube tutorial or two for a step by step guide), anyone can master the art of perfect present-wrapping!

What to Do With Common Gift Wrapping Mistakes and Issues?

Not Using Tissue Paper

Tissue paper is one of those things that can make or break a wrapped present. Not only does tissue paper add a touch of luxury, but it also helps keep delicate items safe from getting damaged during transit. If you’re wrapping a fragile gift, be sure to use tissue paper in addition to wrapping paper. This will help cushion the item and prevent it from breaking. Trust us, your recipient will thank you!

Can’t Get Wrapping Paper/Don’t Have Enough

Don’t have enough wrapping paper or can’t find any at the store? If you’re really in a pinch, you can also use newspaper or magazines as wrapping paper. Just be sure to choose something that won’t clash too badly with the rest of the gift’s appearance. Another way to remedy the problem is to cover any bare spots with tissue paper, gift tags or labels.

The Gift Is Oddly Shaped

When it comes to wrapping gifts, there are a few general rules to follow. Make sure the paper is big enough to cover the entire gift, and use tape sparingly to avoid ruining the paper. But what do you do when you have an oddly shaped gift? Here are a few tips for wrapping those difficult-to-cover items:

For cylindrical objects, start by wrapping the paper around one end of the object. Then, fold the paper over the top and bottom of the cylinder, tucking in the excess paper as you go. Secure the folds with tape, and trim off any excess paper.

For strangely shaped items, start by covering the largest side of the object with paper. Then, use smaller pieces of paper to cover the other sides, being sure to smooth out any wrinkles or creases. Once all sides are covered, secure the paper with tape and trim off any excess.

Another option is to use a gift box. If the gift is small enough, you can put it in a gift box and then fill any extra space with tissue paper or packing peanuts. Once the box is full, you can close it up and wrap it as usual. If the gift is too large for a box, you can cut down a cardboard box to fit around it to create more of a flat surface, and then wrap the whole thing in duct tape or packing tape. Whatever method you choose, make sure the gift is secure so it doesn’t fall apart during transit.

If you need wrapping paper for your gifts, swing by our location in downtown Wilmington for a roll, or contact us on our website for any questions you may have!