How To Wrap a Present Creatively

Center the box, noting how much paper is on the short sides that are going to be folded and taped. Having enough paper to cover two-thirds of those sides when the paper is folded down is ideal. Any more, and it will bunch up when you try to fold the edges.

Fold one end of the paper over the top of the box. When you’re sure it’s straight, tape it to the box. Then fold the other end over it and tape again. If one edge of the paper is uneven from being cut, fold it over a bit to create a straight edge.

Now fold the paper down over one of the sides of the box. Take the diagonals that have been formed and fold them inward. Then bring the bottom flap up and tape it in the center. Repeat with the other side.

Press on a stick-on bow, or cut a piece of ribbon that’s about five times the length of the gift box & wrap it around the top of the package, lengthwise, until the ends meet in the middle of the bottom of the box. Twist them around each other at the center of the box, bring them back up to the top of the package, & make a knot before tying a bow.

Wrap an oversize present by taking apart some large cardboard moving boxes and building one big bottomless box that you can cover in paper and place over the gift. Or, just smother the present in balloons.

Wrap gifts with sharp edges in fabric; it won’t tear like paper. Just plop the item in the center, gather the material at the top, and tie with a thick ribbon. Fabric shops offer great deals on end-of-the-bolt pieces.

Think about everyday items that could hold hard-to-wrap gifts: Chinese takeout containers, empty paper towel rolls, oatmeal canisters.

A dramatic way to present three or four gifts of varying sizes is to create a gift tower: Place the presents in matching boxes of descending size, wrap the boxes in the same or complementary paper, stack them, and tie the tower together with ribbon.