How to wrap a present neatly, step by step
Tape the long seam, then fold and tape both ends. Follow the film.
Follow the steps · 8 chapters
You need wrapping paper, scissors, tape and a box. Turn the paper over so the white grid side faces up. Put the box upside down in the middle, long side along the paper.
Wrap both long sides up loosely. The first edge goes just past the middle. The other side comes all the way down the front. That extra gets cut off in step 4.
Fold the extra back at the middle. Tick 1/2 inch (1 cm) past the fold, at both ends.
Lay the paper flat again. The ticks mark the 1/2 inch (1 cm) hem. Join the ticks with one line, edge to edge. The 1/2 inch past the fold stays on for the hem. Cut along the line. Only the extra strip comes off.
Pull the first edge up snug, just past the middle line. One small piece of tape in the middle holds it. Then crease along the box edge.
Fold a small hem (about 1/2 inch, 1 cm) on the other edge and crease it. Pull it tight over the first edge, the fold on the middle line. Tape the seam: the middle piece first, then the ends. Then crease the box edge.
Fold the top flap down flat against the end and crease it. Push in the near side, then the far side, and crease each corner. Fold the bottom flap up over them, tape it down and crease it. Turn the box so the other open end faces you and do the same.
Press along every edge to crease it. Then turn the box right side up. The clean top shows and the seam is hidden underneath.
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You need
Paper, scissors, tape, ribbon and a gift tag.
Paper size for your box
Measure your gift before cutting.
A neat finish
- Crease every fold firmly.
- Fold raw edges under before taping.
- Use short pieces of tape.
- Try double sided tape for hidden seams.
Make two loops
Run the ribbon around the box and knot it on top. Fold each end into a loop of the same size.
Cross, tuck and pull
Cross the loops, tuck one under and through the middle, then pull both tight.
Trim the tails
Fold each tail in half along its length and cut at a slant for a neat V.
Paper too short?
Keep the gap underneath and cover it with a matching strip. A diagonal position can help with a small gap; check that every corner is covered before folding.
No box?
Use a gift bag for soft gifts, or a clean spare box for an odd shape. For round shapes, choose the matching guide above.
A box with a lid?
Wrap the lid and base separately so the box opens without tearing the paper.
Want a card pocket?
Allow extra paper. Fold one top corner diagonally to the opposite edge, turn the paper over and tape its short edge, opposite the point, to the box. Roll the box across the paper so the folded edge lands on the front.
Fold and tape the ends, then slide the card into the pocket. A ribbon can hold it in place. Leave the pocket fold open.
For a book, tape only to the wrapping paper, never to its cover.