How to make a gift card envelope from wrapping paper

Short answer. Cut a 6 inch (15 cm) square of wrapping paper and set it on the table as a diamond. Put the card in the middle, fold the two side points over it, then fold the bottom point up and the top point down. Seal the top with a sticker or a dab of glue.

What do you need to make a gift card envelope?

• A square of wrapping paper. Cut it 6 inches (15 cm) wide for one card, or 8 inches (20 cm) wide for a card plus a short note or a few folded bills.
• A ruler and sharp scissors
• A glue stick, double sided tape or a sticker to close the flap
• A pencil, to mark the corners on the back of the paper

Paper with a plain back is easier to mark. Thin paper is easiest to fold, and a sheet of printer paper behind it makes a stiffer envelope.

A standard gift card measures about 3.4 by 2.1 inches (8.6 by 5.4 cm). A dollar bill is about 6.1 by 2.6 inches (15.6 by 6.6 cm), so fold it in half once before it goes in.

How do you fold a gift card envelope?

This is the classic kite fold. Work with the pattern face down, so any marks stay on the inside.

Write the name on the front with a pen, or tuck a small tag under the sticker. Keep the card number and any PIN covered, and never write them on the outside.

How do you make one with no glue or tape?

Fold a small folder and hold it shut with a band. It suits a flat gift card or a folded note, and thin paper folds best.

If the band slides, tie ribbon or string around it instead. For tucked folds on bigger gifts, see how to wrap a present without tape.

How long does it take and how much paper does it use?

Plan on five minutes once the square is cut. One sheet of standard wrapping paper gives several squares.

Use offcuts from the wrapping you are already doing. A scrap that is too small for a box is often the right size for an envelope.

What makes a gift card envelope look good?

• Match the gift. Use the same paper as the present, so the card looks like part of it.
• Pick a strong pattern. A bold print hides small crease marks better than a plain colour.
• Add a clean edge. Trim the loose edge of the final flap with scissors if it looks ragged.
• Add a finish. Tie thin ribbon or string around the middle and slide a tag under it.

For ribbon ideas, see how to make a bow with ribbon.

How do you keep a gift card or cash safe in an envelope?

• Do not tape or glue the card or the bills. The envelope should open without tearing.
• Leave the card in its own sleeve if it came with one. Keep the activation slip and any receipt with it.
• Hand it over in person or tuck it inside the gift. Paper envelopes are not a good way to post cash.
• Add a short message on a separate card, so the gift does not feel like a bare transfer.

Why does the envelope come out crooked or too tight?

• The square is not square. Measure both diagonals. If they differ, trim until they match.
• The sides will not meet. Your paper is too small for the card. Cut an 8 inch (20 cm) square.
• The card will not slide in. Glue spread too far inwards. Glue the outer edges only, and let it dry before the card goes in.
• The paper tears at the creases. Use thinner paper, or fold it first and crease it again once.

What gift ideas go well with a gift card?