Nobody remembers the paper. They remember the moment it comes off, and whether it looked like someone cared. Here are twelve tricks we use every year, and not one takes longer than a minute.
The twelve tricks
- Measure with the box. Wrap the paper around the box, then cut so the edges overlap by about two centimetres. Any more and the seam gets bulky.
- Cut along a fold. Crease the paper where you want to cut, then run the scissors down the crease. It gives you a dead-straight edge every time.
- Use double-sided tape. Tape hidden underneath the paper means no shiny strips showing on the finished gift.
- Fold the raw edge under. Turn the cut edge over by a centimetre before sticking it down. It looks like the paper was made to fit.
- Make sharp corners. Push each side flap in to form a small triangle, fold it flat against the box, then tape it. Crisp corners are the whole trick.
- Run out of paper? Go diagonal. Set the box on the paper at a 45-degree angle and fold the corners in. A diagonal wrap covers a surprising amount with a small sheet.
- Put awkward shapes in a bag. Bottles, soft toys and anything lumpy look better in a gift bag with tissue paper than in a heroic wrap.
- Wrap the lid and box separately. For a boxed gift with a lid, wrap each half on its own. It opens neatly and the box can be used again.
- Tie ribbon the easy way. Wrap it around the box, cross the ends underneath, bring them back up and knot on top before adding a bow.
- Curl your ribbon. Pull a ribbon end firmly along the closed blade of a pair of scissors and it springs into a curl.
- Tuck the tag under the ribbon. It stays put and does not slide off in the pile of presents under the tree.
- Smooth crumpled paper. Reused paper can be flattened under a heavy book overnight, and last year’s sheets are good as new.
Wrapped it all? Now for the card. Make one in our card maker, or browse the gift guides if there is still a name on your list with nothing next to it.