How to wrap a gift

For anyone giving a present who wants neat edges and a cover that stays closed until it is opened.

Gift wrap is a paper cover that hides the present. Tight folds and tape lock the paper so the surprise stays sealed.

Have the gift box, wrapping paper, scissors, and clear tape ready on a flat table.

Step 01
CUT the wrapping paper to length while keeping scissors blades pointed away from your body.
Set the box on the unrolled paper and lift both long sides until they meet with a two-inch overlap. That marks the length you need. Cut straight across; if the sides later fail to meet, cut a new sheet two inches longer, and if more than three inches of paper piles up, trim the excess now.
Step 02
PLACE the box in the middle of the cut sheet so equal paper shows on each long side.
Pattern side faces the floor. Slide the box until left and right overhangs match. The spot is right when both flaps will reach center with the same excess; nudge it half an inch left or right if one side looks short.

Step 03

FOLD one long side up and over the box, then the second side on top of it.

Press the first fold tight to the box edge with your palm. Bring the second side across so it covers the first by the two-inch overlap and smooth the seam. If the paper bunches, lift and flatten before going on; if it will not close, the sheet was cut short so start over longer.

Step 04

TAPE the center seam with two pieces of clear tape, one near each short end.

Press each piece flat so it grips both layers. Run a finger along the seam; it holds when the paper stays down. Add a third piece in the middle if the box is longer than your forearm.

Step 05

CREASE the paper at each short end by pushing the top and bottom flaps inward.

Fold the top overhang down, then the bottom up so they meet; the side triangles form on their own—press them flat. Ends look right when they make neat closed shapes. If a flap sticks past the box, fold the extra under; if it falls short, the earlier side folds were loose.

Step 06

SECURE each finished end with one piece of tape across the last flap.

Fold the loose edge neat and stick the tape onto the box face. Repeat on the opposite end. No raw edges show and the paper feels snug when done; pull any gap closed and retape.

The most common mistake

Cutting the paper short leaves a gap the tape cannot hide. Measure the full wrap plus two inches of overlap before any cut, then trim only after the sides close.

Pro tip

Pre-crease every fold with your thumbnail on the hard table before you tape so the edges stay sharp.

Say it every time

Two inches over, sides then ends

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