All Your Gift-Wrapping Hassles Solved — Pro Tricks Make It Easy and Stress-Free
Genius tips to wrap your gifts quickly and beautifully!
Turn up the holiday music and pour yourself a cup of cocoa — it’s going to be a long night of gift wrapping! By now, you know how to wrap a gift as you’ve done it countless times. But sometimes you run into small problems, from not being able to find the tape to running out of paper. So we asked experts for their best tips to make sure your outpost of Santa’s workshop runs smoothly. From gift boxes made out of toilet paper rolls (you have to see it to believe it) to a sneaky gift card reveal, our gift-wrapping gurus let us in on all of the best ways to wrap gifts.
Outsmart 4 common gift-wrap problems
We’ve all been there: We sit down, ready to wrap, then realize we’re out of a key supply or encounter an unexpected gift-wrap hiccup. Read on for answers to common problems.
1. Box too big? Try a tablecloth
Instead of using an entire roll (or two) of wrapping paper, grab a festive plastic tablecloth from the party store or dollar store. “Extra-large gifts can be wrapped in a tablecloth and tied with ribbon like a Santa sack,” says professional gift wrapper Vanessa West, owner of Avenue Wrapping in Memphis, Tennessee.
Check out this TikTok from Hiccups and Heels for a step-by-step guide on how to wrap a super-sized present.
2. No wrapping paper? Reach for fabric scraps
Furoshiki wrapping is a traditional Japanese way to use cloth for gift wrapping, explains West. Simply take a square cloth, handkerchief, blanket or scarf and wrap the present inside, securing it with a hand-knotted bow. Not only is this method reducing waste, but if you wrap it in a nice scarf or blanket, it’s like giving two gifts in one.
Check out this tutorial from Tasty Home to see how it works:
3. No tape? Find a sticky fix
We’ve all been there. You’re in the middle of a gift-wrapping frenzy and discover you’re all out of tape. Don’t sweat it! “If you run out of tape, get creative! You just need something sticky to hold the wrapping paper together — like stickers, packing tape or even a few dots of glue.” says Ginnie Leeming, creator of Hello Little Home in Dallas. “A strategically placed ribbon can also hold the wrapping in place.”
4.Sheet of gift wrap too short? Fake it with ribbon
“If your wrapping paper is an inch or two short, wrap the package, leaving the open space in the middle of the box. Then cover the gap with a wide ribbon,” advises Leeming. Another option from West: “Grab a coordinating piece of paper and wrap it around the box in the same way you would a ribbon. Make sure it’s wide enough so when you tie a ribbon around it, you have all the layers showing.”
How to wrap a tiny gift: Use an empty toilet paper roll
If you don’t want to waste a big box on a small gift, the pros at RedTedArt have a simple solution: Use a toilet-paper roll! To make a mini gift box, fold in one end of the cardboard cylinder so that it closes. Then, place the petite present inside and fold closed the other end. To decorate it, you can paint it or simply add a ribbon or bow and voila, a perfectly sized gift box! (Click though for more uses for cardboard tubes.)
How to wrap a gift card: Go big
It’s fun to present a gift card in an unexpected way, encourages Leeming. “Try wrapping it in a giant box — surrounded by lots of tissue paper — so they really have to dig for it,” Leeming suggests. (Click through for more creative ways to wrap gift cards.)
How to wrap a bottle of wine: Grab a pair of socks
Forget the traditional wine bottle bag. Tuck your bottle of preferred booze — champagne, wine, beer or liquor bottles all work fine — into a long, decorative sock (pick up a pair at the dollar store!). Then, tie the matching sock around the neck of the bottle, making a little scarf. Talk about making spirits bright! See a tutorial below, then check out these other genius uses for socks.
How to wrap an odd-shaped present: Think outside of the box
Whether it’s a stuffed animal, basketball or succulent, it can still be wrapped! The easiest way: Make a quick custom bag out of wrapping paper. Just check out this demo from Wrapping Queen on how to make your own gift bag. With over 11 million views, it’s a must watch:
For more holiday hacks, click through the links below!
How to Decorate a Christmas Tree With Ribbon: 4 Easy Ideas From Home Decor Pros
Pro Tips to Throw a Wreath-Making Party + Ensure Your Creation Lasts All Season!
Decorating Pros Share Their Top Gingerbread House Ideas, Tricks and Tips
