An expert’s guide to becoming a wrap star

It’s better to give than to receive – especially when presents are beautifully wrapped. Yes, even the awkward shapes. Jessica Doyle finds out how it’s done

Gift-wrapping is often the last thing on the list, done late on Christmas Eve. But if you want your presents to be really appreciated by the recipient, it might be worth getting the task in order a little earlier.

According to Gina Auerbach, a gift wrapper at John Lewis & Partners (above), ‘The most common mistake people make is that they are on a quest for perfection, but give themselves very little time to achieve it.’ She suggests setting aside a whole evening. ‘This will help to take the pressure off. Being relaxed will mean you are less likely to rush, pull the paper a little too tight, or cut it in a wavy line.’ Here’s her expert advice for wrapping a present.

SQUARE-SHAPED GIFTS eg , a book or box

To achieve a neat finish, you need the right amount of paper – too much and it will bunch up and you’ll lose the neat edge you are looking for. Once the gift is wrapped, smooth the edges with your fingers along all the sides to create a crisp line. If you’re coming to the end of your wrapping paper or you accidentally cut a piece too small, try turning the paper so that it is diagonal, with a corner facing the top and bottom of the gift. If you wrap the corners up flush with the corners of the box, like an envelope, it should give you enough to cover the whole gift.

ADD A LITTLE TWIST

If you opt for a plain wrapping paper, a mix of ribbons collected over the year looks lovely, and makes each gift unique. For additional decorations that cost you nothing, look outside. Cuttings from your garden can be tied into bows, and leaves dried and used as name tags.

AWKWARD SHAPES

For larger items, forget the idea that one sheet of paper will do the job. Decide whether you want to follow the lines of the gift or not, as it might give the game away. An easy way out is to find an old parcel box or shoe box to repurpose, which is easier to tackle. Another option is to make a gift bag from one sheet of wrapping paper, where you create a base by folding the paper into a diamond shape. There are online video tutorials that show you how to make one in minutes. I recommend a middle-weight paper for anything that is a little heavy.

TO WRAP SUSTAINABLY

Look to solutions that can be used time and again, like reusable gift sacks or bags – these can become beloved family traditions. For the most sustainable options in paper, look for those that are fully recyclable and Fsc-certified – there are lots of beautiful options out there.

BRING A 2019 TOUCH

Greenery is a big trend in the home this year and it’s crossed over into wrapping, too. Our bestselling gift wrap so far this year is the the Campfire Kraft Cranberry Wrap, £5 for a 10m roll from johnlewis.com, which is fully recyclable. On the other hand, with a new decade just around the corner, you could go for a party look – neons and bright colours, for example, look great against midnight blue.