Present wrapping tips

[bigchanges1]

Does anyone have any present wrapping tips at all please?

My only one does not make the present look any better, but is much more comfortable - it’s to wrap sitting on the sofa with the present and paper etc on an ironing board in front of you.

One of the gifts I received last year was so well wrapped, I had serious wrapping envy. I think they used some sort of sticky dots & strips I’ve never seen before. I decided then & there I had to up my wrapping game for this year.

Any tips gratefully appreciated - thank you

I have 3 children , so I buy 3 different types of wrapping paper and each child gets their presents wrapped in one of them - so no name tags! Looks great on Xmas morning!

That’s a good idea @WoWsers16 & one I’ll use as I’ve resorted to writing initials in a corner after the time 3 labels came off between getting the presents out of their hiding place & getting them down the stairs - thank you!

Gift bags.

Also, clear dots instead of sellotape make things a lot easier.

Boxes and bags 👍

I fold the edges of the paper so there are no cut edges which looks neater.

Heavy duty office sellotape dispenser.

@bigchanges1

That’s a good idea *@WoWsers16* & one I’ll use as I’ve resorted to writing initials in a corner after the time 3 labels came off between getting the presents out of their hiding place & getting them down the stairs - thank you!

I also used to write initials - but this was amazing last year and I was so pleased with how easy it was! X

Sticky name tags.

It's all about the ribbons and bibbons in my family. I usually go round the shops in the week before Christmas and pick up reduced-price Christmas decorations to tie onto presents. They tend to end up in circulation for years; everyone saves them when they unwrap a present, and they get redeployed again the next time.

Fold the paper towards you, rather than away.

So if you are wrapping a rectangular box, when you get to the ends you fold up the end furthest away from you, pulling it towards you. Then flip it around to do the other end the same way.

I don't know why, but it always ends up much neater

Getting a sellotape dispenser was a game changer for me and we also use sticky name labels as then there's no fear or tags falling off.

Oh... I can literally look at any present I've wrapped, and know who it's for and what it is. Never needed to label...

A really important one is to cut the paper to size. Excess paper=messy wrapping.

When wrapping a box with nice corners and edges, crease the paper along the edge so it’s a bit sharper. It’s a small thing but makes a difference.

No sellotape- double sided sticky tape is fine. Poundland sell packs of three and it tears much more easily than sellotape.

Use wider ribbons than you think you need. Preposterously wide!

When tying a ribbon, measure first. Then find the centre and put that on top. Cross ribbons underneath to bring them back up to the top. Loop the ends under the top ribbon so that you cinch it in and tie the bow. Trim ends.

Buy good thick paper, with grid lines on the back.

For a beginner, I recommend only buying gifts in boxes with crisp edges

Tape-wise, I'm generally a fan of scotch tape - it tears easily, doesn't show against most papers, and can often be repositioned slightly if needed.

I think different textures add to the luxurious feel. I use a mix of satin and velvet ribbons with brown or simply patterned after a paper.

I like sticker labels, scotch tape on a dispenser and good scissors!

I'm another one that uses gift bags. I might add a stick on bow if I really want to make an effort...

Ooh thanks for the ironing board tip I always do mine sat on the floor and end up with pins and needles.

Have to say my wrapping can be a little slap dash lol “wrapped with love not with care”
Don’t stress urself ! Wrapping only goes in the bin anyway !
Xx

@WoWsers16

I have 3 children , so I buy 3 different types of wrapping paper and each child gets their presents wrapped in one of them - so no name tags! Looks great on Xmas morning!

I do this too, makes it so easy

Easy, marry an anal OCD, everything needs to be straight and perfect man like my hubby 🤣🤣🤣 Only problem is I can do 5 presents to his one.

I do find a dining table best though. I fold the edges over on the paper as I can never cut neatly. Always have strips of tape already cut. Never use the glittery paper, its crap and the tape doesn't stick. And anything odd shaped, try and wrap in its box or put it in a nice box or bag with tissue paper.

Some fantastic tips given - thank you all. I’ve got sticky dots, good quality non-glittery paper with cutting guides (different pattern for each child), thick ribbons, gift boxes for tricky items and gift bags on my list.

I’ll have it all laid out ready & will remember to fold all edges & wrap towards me. I’m ready for this. If they look as good as I hope, I’ll post a photo

I have a good tape dispenser, long scissors but my secret weapon is my Dymo label printer to make personalised gift labels.

I made a quick gift bag out of wrapping paper following this technique:

Super easy and made wrapping of an awkward item much easier.

Other than that, I'd generally say scotch tape in a tape dispenser and either use different wrap (so no tags), or use sticky tags.

Make everything into a box, cylinder or packet. Packets are really useful for odd shapes and add to the curiosity factor. Basically I make an envelope without anything in it, just like wrapping a box but leave one end open. Put the thing inside and then you have an end to fold over and tape. I use this for stocking presents a lot for small bouncy balls, and things like that.

Japanese wrapping videos on YouTube