How to wrap a stuffed animal or other soft gift

Short answer. Sit the toy in the middle of a large square of tissue or cloth. Lift all four sides over it, gather them above its head and tie them with ribbon. Cut the square the toy's width plus twice its height, plus 6 inches (15 cm).

Why is a soft gift hard to wrap?

A plush toy has no flat sides. Paper folded around it wrinkles, tears at the ears and pops open at the seam when the filling pushes back.

A gather wrap works with that squish. The paper or cloth goes around the toy in loose folds and one tie holds it. If you want sharp corners, put the toy in a box instead.

What do you need to wrap a plush toy?

• A big, thin sheet. Tissue paper, a square of light cloth or clear cellophane all gather well. A standard tissue sheet is about 20 by 30 inches (50 by 75 cm).
• Something to tie with. Ribbon, twine or a cloth strip. Allow 20 inches (50 cm) for a toy up to 10 inches (25 cm) tall.
• A scrap of card or a second sheet. This is for an outer layer, or a stiff base if the toy has to stand.
• A tag. Tie it to the ribbon, not to the toy.

For a bag wrap, see the gift bag steps in the tissue paper guide.

How big should the sheet be?

Measure the toy while it sits the way it will sit in the pouch. Note its width and its height. Then use this rule:

Sheet side = width + (2 x height) + 6 inches (15 cm).

These sizes are a guide, not a promise. Lift the corners over the toy before you cut. If they do not meet comfortably above its head, the sheet is too small.

One tissue sheet covers a small plush. For a medium teddy, stack three sheets in a star, each turned a little from the last, and treat them as one. For a big bear, cloth is easier than paper.

How do you make a gathered pouch?

This is the quick method for a soft toy of any size. Take your time with step 3, which is where a pouch can go wrong.

Keep the pleats loose. A tight wrap squashes the toy and shows its outline. If a corner flops, pinch it into the knot, and tuck a scrunched piece of tissue in the gap.

Want the face to show? Gather the sheet around the toy's body just under its chin instead, so its head peeks out over a ruffle.

How do you wrap a long plush in a paper roll?

This method suits a long, thin toy such as a snake, a dog or a rabbit. It uses wrapping paper rather than tissue.

For a round toy, the gathered pouch is simpler.

What if the toy is too big to wrap?

Skip the paper. A giant bear is hard to hide, and it might look nicer if you do not try.

• A bow. Tie a wide ribbon around its neck and send it without paper. Remove the ribbon before a baby plays with it.
• A big bag. Pick a bag at least as wide as the toy, and put tissue below it. Leave the head peeking out if the bag is too short.
• A cloth sack. A pillowcase or a large drawstring bag works well. Tie the end with ribbon.
• A laundry basket. Set the toy inside with a tag on its paw. It makes a nice surprise for a birthday.

The furoshiki guide shows cloth knots for odd shapes. For other awkward gifts, see how to wrap awkward shaped gifts.

How do you wrap a toy for a baby or toddler?

Take extra care with the wrap, because a baby may chew it or pull it loose.

• Keep plastic away. Thin film and cellophane can cover a child's nose and mouth. Use tissue or cloth for a baby, and keep any film out of reach.
• Use short ties. A long ribbon can wrap around a neck. Cut the tie short, or use a cloth strip you can pull off in one go.
• Remove everything before play. Take off the ribbon, tag and any tape, and throw them away. Hand the bare toy to the baby.
• Check the toy. Look for loose eyes, a split seam or a stray thread before you wrap it.

How do you keep a soft gift neat in the bag?

A gift bag stays tidy if you give the toy a nest. Put a few crumpled sheets of tissue in the bottom, and set the toy on top. Add tissue around it, so the ears and arms are not bent.

If the toy sinks below the rim, put a folded towel or a box lid underneath. It will not show.

Why does the pouch look flat or lopsided?

• The sheet is too small. The sides pull tight and the tie slips. Start again with a bigger sheet or two.
• The tie is too low. A tie pressed onto the toy's head flattens its ears and makes a bulge. Hold the paper 3 inches (8 cm) above the head instead.
• The folds are wrinkled. Smooth the sheet flat before you start, or iron cloth on a low heat.
• The toy leans. Slip a rolled piece of card behind its back, below the paper.
• The ribbon cuts the paper. Switch to a wide ribbon.

What can you pair with a soft toy?