7 TIPS FOR BETTER GIFT-WRAPPING
Say goodbye to lumpy paper corners and messy-looking tape
Gifts take on new meaning when they are artfully wrapped with decorative paper, tied with ribbon, and accented with a luscious bow or seasonal detail.
There are just a few things you’ll need: rolls or sheets of high-quality wrapping paper, ribbons, bows and other embellishments, a pair of good scissors, and double-sided tape. Before you shop for supplies, take a look at the tips below to improve your experience and help make wrapping presents a new highlight of your holiday season:
1. Choose a flat surface to work on.
Wrapping a box on a large flat surface produces the best results. Good options include the kitchen or dining room table or a folding table; a less-than-stellar choice would be your bed.
2. Thicker paper is superior to the thinner variety.
Wrap presents in paper that creases well, won’t rip easily, and isn’t so flimsy you can see through it. But the paper shouldn’t be super-thick either: Look for sheets or rolls that are a mid-weight or medium grade.
3. Use double-sided tape.
Unlike regular tape, double-sided tape has adhesive on both sides so you can pull the edge of the wrapping paper over the tape, covering it completely and invisibly.
4. Keep the paper taut.
Wrapping a box with paper that fits tightly around it will look neat and tidy; a box with paper that’s wrapped too loosely will just look sloppy.
5. There’s an easy way to keep the rolled paper from re-rolling.
To prevent a roll of paper from rolling back up when you’re trying to work with it, grab objects near you that can act like temporary paperweights, such as rolls of tape, and position them on the four corners to hold down the paper.
6. Using too much paper will create a lumpy mess.
It’s easy to go overboard with wrapping paper: To ensure the entire box will be covered, you end up cutting a piece of paper that’s way too big. Instead of a beautifully wrapped gift with clean, sharp edges, yours has lumpy ends where the excess paper has gathered. The solution: Measure the box and paper to get a real idea of what’s needed. Cut enough paper to wrap around the box with some overhang, enough to cover both ends too.
7. Accessorizing puts the finishing touch on a present.
Once you’ve finished wrapping a gift, add an embellishment. Bows and wire-edged ribbons are classic but you might also like attaching a little seasonal something, such as mini bells or pine cones, sprigs of faux berries, or candy like a chocolate Santa or reindeer.