How to Perfectly Wrap a Gift Box With Decorative Wrapping Paper

Why I decided to create these instructables:

First, because I always make a perfect wrap when I am wrapping a gift.

Secondly, because with the easily available gift bags and soft tissue paper, people are no longer taking the time to wrap a gift with decorative paper.

Thirdly, because it does not required any special technical ability and it is a good skill to apply when one needs to wrap a gift for any occasion, quickly and effectively.

Wrapping a gift used to be part of the gift giving – one would offer the time of wrapping the present. People are now only throwing the gift unwrapped in the gift bag and than covering it with soft tissue paper.

I believe anyone giving a present to a family member, a friend, or a significant other is good target audience to learn this set of instructions. Even if the person may already know how to wrap a gift, he or she may just need a refresher or perfect the art of wrapping a gift. Also if the person has always been struggling with a certain step of the process, he or she might find these instructions helpful to improve any particular step.

Step 1: Materials and Tools Needed

Decorative wrapping paper

Gift box

Pocketknife

Tape

Scissors (optional)

Ruler (optional)

Ready-made bow

Step 2: Working Space Necessary

Make sure to use a large and clean tabletop to work on.

Tip 1 – Having a large and clean tabletop will help you to accomplish a perfectly gift wrap.

Tip 2 – Dining or kitchen tables are the perfect surfaces to work on.

Step 3: Estimate the Amount of Paper Needed

The best way to know the amount of paper needed to cover all six sides of the gift box is to do an estimation.

There is no need to use a ruler, but you can use it if it will make your work easier.

To estimate the amount of paper needed to cover the sides of the box just follow along:

Unroll part of the paper on the table as shown in the picture.

Tip: Use the scissors as a paper weight to help hold the paper in position.

Step 4: Estimate the Amount of Paper Needed (continued)

Gently fold the paper without crease it as shown in the pictures above.

Step 5: Estimate the Amount of Paper Needed (continued)

Place the box on the top of the paper as shown in the picture to see if you have enough paper to cover all sides of the box.

If you do not, adjust the amount of paper until you have as much paper as you need.

Step 6: Estimate the Amount of Paper Needed (continued)

Verify if you have enough paper to cover the sides.

Tip 1 – Gently fold the two sides over the box with your finger as shown in the pictures and check if you have enough paper to cover at least half of the height of the box.

If it does not, adjust the amount of paper until it does.

Step 7: Crease the Decorative Paper

Before cutting the paper ensure that the sides of the paper are neatly aligned as shown in the picture.

If it does not, adjust the sides of the paper until it does.

When this step is completed and without removing the box, crease the paper all the way neatly with your thumb finger while your other hand is holding on the sides of the paper as shown in the picture.

Step 8: Estimate the Amount of Paper Needed to Cover Four Sides of the Box

Place the box on the top of the paper as shown in the picture and roll the box on each of its four sides, and turn, in order to estimate the amount of paper needed to fully cover all four sides of the box.

The pictures show the starting, middle and ending positions of the box.

Step 9: Cut the Decorative Paper

Leave the box where it is and use the pocketknife to cut along the crease done in previous step.

Caution: Make sure to cut the paper along the crease to have a perfect cut and not damage the paper.

Stop about one or two inches beyond the edge of the box as shown in the picture.

Warning: To avoid injury, be sure to handle the pocketknife with caution since the blade maybe sharpened more than you think.

Step 10: How to Handle the Pocketknife Safely

Always be careful when handling a pocketknife

Warning: To avoid injury, always return the pocketknife to its rest position when not in use.

Step 11: Cut the Decorative Paper (continued)

Remove the box and fold the paper over as shown in the picture.

Crease the paper neatly again ensuring that the edges of the paper are aligned.

Use the pocketknife to cut along the crease done.

Step 12: Wrap the Four Sides of the Gift Box

Place the box roughly at the center of the paper as shown in the picture with the bottom of the box facing upwards.

Step 13: Wrap the Four Sides of the Gift Box (continued)

Fold one side of the paper over the box and secure it using tape.

Tip: Cut tape pieces and stick just the tips onto the edge of the tabletop (make sure it is clean) so that you have the tape ready when you need it.

Step 14: Wrap the Four Sides of the Gift Box (continued)

Fold the other side of the paper over the box, ensuring that it is firm and secure it with tape.

Tip: If you find that there is too much paper or if the edge of the paper is not neatly cut, simple make a fold before folding the other side over and secure it with tape.

Step 15: Wrap the Two Ends of the Gift Box

Face one end of the box to you.

Push the left side of the paper with your thumb finger against the box and make creases in the lower and upper corners with the help of your other pointer finger as shown in the pictures.

Step 16: Wrap the Two Ends of the Gift Box (continued)

Keep the box in the same position.

Push the right side of the paper with your thumb against the box and make creases in the lower and upper corners with the help of your other pointer finger as shown in the pictures.

Step 17: Wrap the Two Ends of the Gift Box (continued)

Fold the bottom flap up and secure it in place with tape previously cut.

Tip: If you find that paper flaps are too big, simply make a fold before folding over the box and secure them in place with tape as shown in the pictures.

Flip the box to easily complete the next step.

Step 18: Wrap the Two Ends of the Gift Box (continued)

Fold the bottom flap up (if you have flipped the box) or the top flap down and secure it in place with tape previously cut.

Tip: If you find that flaps are too big, simple make a fold before folding over the box and secure them in place with tape as shown in the pictures.