Wrapping presents this holiday season can be tedious and tiresome. Especially now days with all of the choices we have in the gift wrap department alone and the limited time to get it all together! Growing up, my parents always put special love and attention into the little details of things, and our Christmas presents were no different. This is something that began with my dad’s mother and her ways of wrapping gifts. It’s all in the presentation! Now when I am giving a gift to someone special, I love thinking of how to wrap the gift making the appearance and experience of opening the gift just as special as what is inside! I also don’t like to stress it or overthink wrapping gifts, so I think you’ll find my tips quite simple and quick, but pretty and exuberant. Just as I say you can never be too overdressed, just under-dressed, same goes for this holiday gift wrap guide.
I believe it’s all about the thought that counts when it comes to the season of giving. In fact, sometimes the most valuable gifts are not tangible or monetary at all. But if you do give a tangible gift to someone special this year, I don’t want to leave you hanging! So, I’m sharing what I’ve learned from generations of overachieving gift wrappers. Here’s my guide to Holiday Gift Wrapping 101.
Step 1. Pick a Color Palette
If you’re anything like me, you like cohesiveness. Same goes for the theme and colors of the gift wrap for the year under our tree. I love Target, Hobby Lobby and Zazzle for finding gift wrap that is cohesive. Sometimes I get lucky at homegoods too. It’s a bonus if you can find paper that has the grid lines on the back side for cutting your paper precisely without waste. Pro Tip: Stick with 3 colors for your palette. Here I chose white, navy and red. You can have fun with pattern play too! Think polka dots and stripes on the paper or your ribbon!
Step 2. Add in Whimsical Details
It really is all in the details y’all. Next I scan the stores or internet for pretty and relatively inexpensive ornaments or swag that will add texture and character to the gift wrap. It makes the experience truly personal for the person receiving the gift. For example, maybe for your niece who loves dance, you’ll use pinks and a tiny nutcracker or ballerina ornament! It’s special and is an ornament that they can keep (if they choose) to use on their tree for years to come. Each year they will remember you when they decorate their tree with that special ornament. Pro Tip: You can get lucky with inexpensive ornaments at the Dollar Tree usually! Keep in mind you don’t need an ornament on every gift. I add in berries and swag to some of the other gifts, tucked beneath the bows.
Step 3. Wrapping your gift
Put the box right side down on the paper, (in other words flip your gift upside down) ensuring the top/front of the gift will have no paper seams front and center when you flip it over at finish. Measure with the paper half way to one side, and the other, leaving a few centimeters extra to fold inward creating a smooth edge. Measure the same way, half up on the other smaller sides of the box so you’ll know where to cut. This is where the grid lined paper comes in handy! Next fold the vertical edge (where you left a few centimeters) inward those few centimeters, making the edge you will tape to meet your other edge, not raw. This way if your cut got a little sloppy, now it looks even versus a raw, jagged edge. This makes it so that the nice folded edge is only shown. Pro Tip: Use the double sided clear tape meant for gifts for no visible tape or fold regular tape into little o’s to stick underneath paper.
Step 4. Making the Triangle
On the shorter two ends of the box you want to make a triangle by bringing the top corner of the paper straight down and flush against the box, starting the form of your triangle. Fold one of the triangles down on the ground forming another and repeat. Pro Tip: For a more professional appearance I also tend to fold the peak of the final triangle underneath, creating a flat edge/straight line versus a peak to the triangle, before then taping the final triangle up to finish this end of the gift. Repeat on the other end.
Step 5. Garnish your packages & place
The bows, ornaments and swag are like the jewelry and accessories to the outfit. It ties everything together. Have fun with what you picked out and make it personalized for the gift receiver! They’ll appreciate your attention to detail and probably be inspired the next time they go to wrap a gift for someone too!
I hope today’s post was helpful in learning how to wrap a Christmas present like a pro! Enjoy the season!
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