How to wrap awkward shaped gifts, from bottles to bikes

Which wrap suits your gift?

Choose your gift in the table to jump to the matching method. Measure with the gift beside you, checking the fit before you cut the paper.

How do you wrap a bottle?

Check that the cap is shut and the outside is dry. Leave glass in its protective box if you plan to post it.

With wrapping paper

1. Lay the bottle on its side. Cut paper to go round it with a small overlap.

   

2. Leave enough paper below the base to reach its center, and extra above the neck to gather.

   

3. Roll the bottle in the paper and tape the long seam to the paper, away from the label.

   

4. Fold the spare paper over the base in small pleats. Tape the folds where they meet.

   

5. Stand the bottle up, gather the paper above the neck and tie it with ribbon.

   

With tissue

Set the bottle upright in the middle of two offset sheets. Lift the tissue round it and tie a loose bow at the neck. A bottle bag gives the tissue support when you carry it.

With a tea towel

Lay the bottle on its side along one edge of a clean tea towel, with some fabric extending beyond the base. Fold that fabric over the base, roll the towel round the bottle and tie ribbon round the neck. Support the base as you hand it over.

For a wrap with cloth knots, use the furoshiki guide.

How do you wrap a book without bending it?

Treat a hardback as a shallow box. Cover a paperback with a sheet of tissue first, then place it between 2 pieces of card if the cover is thin.

Bring the long paper edges together at the back. Fold the short sides in, crease the top and bottom flaps, then tape paper to paper. Keep tape off the cover and pages.

For a ribbon closure that keeps adhesive away from the book, follow how to wrap a present without tape.

How do you wrap a round tin of sweets?

A short round tin needs lots of small folds where a square box needs only two flaps.

1. Cut a strip that fits round the curved side with an overlap.

   

2. At each flat end, leave enough paper to reach the center of the circle.

   

3. Roll the strip round the tin and tape the seam.

   

4. Start at one point on the rim. Fold a narrow pleat towards the center and hold it down.

   

5. Work round the rim, laying each new pleat over the last. Tape the meeting point, then repeat on the other end.

   

If the middle gets too thick, unfold it and trim the excess. A small circle of paper over the join gives it a tidy finish.

How do you wrap a cylinder with twisted ends?

Use this candy wrapper shape for a light tube, rolled scarf or candle in a firm carton. Thin paper is easier to twist than thick kraft paper.

Roll the gift in paper and tape the long seam. Leave a good handful of spare paper at each end. Gather each end close to the gift, twist it gently and tie it with string.

Do not twist against bare wax or a fragile glass jar. Put either in a suitable box first, and hold the parcel by its middle.

What is the easiest way to wrap a ball?

A gift bag hides a ball without a mass of creases. Choose one wider than the ball, with enough spare height to fold the top shut.

Set the ball inside and tuck tissue down the sides to stop it rolling as you close the bag. For a soft fabric wrap, gather a large square of cloth above the ball and tie it with ribbon.

Want to keep the shape a secret? Put the ball in a box. Do not let air out just to make it fit.

How do you wrap a cuddly toy?

Use a wide bag so the ears and paws fit without being bent flat. Wrap a loose sheet of tissue round the toy and lower it into the bag.

Fill the empty gaps without packing tissue tightly round the toy, which can squash its shape. For a large cuddly toy, a cloth drawstring bag is another option.

Keep loose ribbon and wrapping out of a young child's reach when the gift is opened.

How do you wrap clothes without a gift box?

Fold a jumper or shirt into a neat rectangle. Slip clean card beneath it, wrap the bundle in tissue and cover it with paper. The card gives you an edge to fold against.

For silk, knitwear with loose stitches or clothes that crease easily, use a bag with tissue instead. Keep pins, staples and sticky tape away from the fabric.

How do you wrap a gift basket in cellophane?

Arrange the basket first, with tall items at the back and heavy ones low down. Fill gaps with crumpled paper so the contents stay in place.

1. Stand the basket in the center of a large sheet of cellophane.

   

2. Lift the front and back edges above the handle or tallest gift.

   

3. Bring in the side edges and fold any loose corners against the basket.

   

4. Gather the sheet above the contents and tie the bunch with ribbon.

   

5. Trim the top only after it is tied. Leave enough for a soft fan.

   

Carry the basket by its base, never by the cellophane bunch. For a basket that must travel, use a box that supports the full base.

How do you wrap a bike or another large gift?

Drape a clean sheet over a bike, chair or large toy. Tie a broad ribbon loosely round the covered gift, or attach a bow to the sheet.

Keep the gift upright and leave a clear path to it. For a bike, remove all cloth, string and tags before it moves. Check the wheels, pedals and brakes for loose ties.

If you want a small parcel to open first, wrap a photo or a simple clue in an envelope. Keep the main gift nearby for the reveal.

How do you make a gift bag from wrapping paper?

This folded bag suits light gifts. Use a sturdy shop bag for heavy jars or bottles.

1. Cut a rectangle wide enough to wrap loosely round the gift. Leave extra height for a base and a folded top.

   

2. Lay the paper face down. Bring the two side edges to the middle, overlap them and tape the seam.

   

3. Fold the bottom edge upwards, allowing enough depth for the gift to stand inside. Crease firmly.

   

4. Separate the 2 paper layers at the folded edge. Pull the upper layer towards you, pressing the side corners flat to form a diamond.

   

5. Fold the top and bottom points of the diamond towards each other. Overlap and tape them to close the base.

   

6. Open the bag and press its base flat. Put a piece of card inside if the paper needs support.

   

7. Add the gift, fold the top over twice and close it with tape or a clip.

   

For the finishing touch, follow how to put tissue paper in a gift bag.