5 DIFFERENT WAYS TO WRAP A PRESENT
A velvet ribbon layered on top of a neatly fold decorative paper; a classic gift presentation for a special moment. But, wrapping a present can come in many different forms. Here are five different ways to wrap a present.
The Classic Box Wrap
The first image that comes to mind when the term “gift wrapping” is mentioned, is one of a neatly wrapped rectangular or square box. The kind of perfectly wrapped present that comes straight out of a Wes Anderson film.
The decorative paper is measured and cut accordingly to create neat folds and avoid unnecessary bulk. The edges are secured with tape for a crisp result, while the seams are near invisible.
To achieve this, cut a piece of wrapping paper large enough to cover all sides of the box with 2 to 3 cm overlap. Place the gift face down at the very centre and bring the opposite sides of the wrapping paper to the middle. Tape securely and fold the remaining open ends into triangles and tuck them inwards.
The classic wrap requires wrapping a ribbon around the gift in a cross shape and tying a bow at the top. The gift presentation is completed by adding a gift tag right at the base of the bow with the recipient’s name on it.
This is the ideal wrapping method for gifts that come in a rectangular or square box, such as candles, premium chocolate, and jewellery. Items that have irregular shapes are usually placed within a plain box, which should be appropriate for their size. The empty spaces can be filled with tactile materials, such as textured paper or lightweight fabrics. Placing a beautifully made card with a handwritten note inside the box adds an extra layer of thoughtfulness to the gift.
The Minimalist Wrap
The diagonal style is a clean, minimalist method of wrapping gifts that gained popularity in Japan. It resembles the classic method but it is suitable for gifts that are quite thin and shaped as a perfect rectangular, such as books and stationary items.
The minimalist wrap requires fewer steps but also great precision. The gift is placed diagonally on top of the decorative wrapping paper. One corner is pulled over the box and secured with a small piece of tape. The rest of the corners are fold inward and secured with double-sided tape for invisible seams. It is important to smooth the folds for a clean appearance. Measuring and cutting the wrapping paper is more important than in any other method, as excess material can destroy the final sleek look.
This style of wrapping gifts creates less bulk and the overall appearance is clean and minimal. For that reason, tying a ribbon around the gift is not always necessary, unless its material, colour, and width do not overpower the overall presentation. The focus is placed on the patterns and texture of the wrapping paper. A matte finish is more suitable than a glossy one.
An alternative minimalist wrapping method is the envelope wrap, which is suitable for the same types of rectangular gifts. In this case, you place the gift at the very centre and fold one side over it, followed by the opposite side. The bottom flap is fold upwards, while the top flap is fold downwards to overlap the other.
For an elegant finishing touch, avoid securing the envelop with tape. Instead, use a wax seal to add an extra layer of texture and colour. Wax seals not only increase the perceived value of the gift, as they have been used in formal invitations and correspondence, but they also raise the recipient’s eagerness and curiosity.
To make the gift more personal, a card with a heartfelt message can be placed within a separate folder to accompany the gift. The folder can be created with the remaining wrapping paper in the exact same way.
The Pillow Wrapping Style
The pillow wrapping style is not everyone’s favourite; if done in a hurry by inexperienced hands, the final gift appearance may appear messy. However, this method is ideal for small gifts or those made from soft materials, such as silk scarves and cashmere pullovers, especially when a box is not available around the house.
To wrap your gift in this style, wrap the item in light crêpe paper first. The decorative wrapping paper is then rolled around the item to form a cylinder. The edges are taped discreetly and both open ends are flattened to form a “pillow” shape. If the edges are not flattened properly, the shape may look sloppy. For invisible seams, use double-sided tape and seal each end together from the inside.
It is important to select premium wrapping paper that is tear-resistant. Tying a wide ribbon in a cross pattern around the “pillow” is not to be skipped in this method, as the gift presentation will look incomplete.
The Layered Wrapping Method
The layered wrapping method is the least common but, perhaps, the most creative of them all. It requires two different types of wrapping paper; they should complement but also contrast one another. For example, you can use a plain yet textured or embossed wrapping paper as a base and add a patterned premium paper from our collection on top.
The base paper should be wrapped around the gift in the classic method. The second decorative paper is cut slightly smaller, at least by 2 cm or more, depending on the surface that is left exposed. The layered paper is wrapped around the gift normally and taped with double-sided tape on the underside.
This is a visually rich wrapping method that raises curiosity and anticipation. It has gained popularity in retail stores and is rarely combined with ribbons and twines. Instead, a wax seal is often used to highlight the contrast between the two wrapping materials.
Wrapping with Fabric
A beautiful and unique method of wrapping gifts was once again born in Japan. It involves the use of high-quality fabrics, such as silk, instead of wrapping paper. It is one of the most eco-friendly methods, as the fabric can be easily reused for gifting or washed and worn as a scarf or head accessory.
There are multiple creative ways to wrap a present with fabric. The basic knot wrap is classic and effortless, perfect for small to medium boxes. The gift is placed diagonally at the very centre and you can bring two opposite corners of the fabric over the gift and tie them in a tight knot. The two remaining corners are tied right on top on the first knot.
The fabric wrap method is also suitable for cylindrical bottled gifts, such as premium wine or olive oil. You should lay the fabric flat on a clean surface and make sure it is wrinkle-free. The bottle is placed upright diagonally and in the exact centre of the fabric.
The bottom corner of the wrap is then moved upwards and over the bottle’s base. Grab the left and right corners and pull them up and around sides and cross them in front of the bottle’s neck in an “X” shape. The fabric should be snug but not too tight. You can then bring the crossed ends up and over the bottle’s neck and tie them at the front with a simple knot or a bow, depending on the look you’d prefer.
Finding the Right Wrapping Materials
There are several creative ways to wrap a present beautifully. Regardless of your skill level, an effortless yet elegant gift presentation requires good quality wrapping materials. Manuela Menzi Studio offers premium matte wrapping paper featuring unique collage designs, along with greeting cards, postcards, gift tags, and fabric wraps. The paper quality is sturdy enough to reduce the risk of tears, but also flexible enough for creative wrapping methods. Each design is offered in pre-cut sheets of various sizes for your convenience, transforming the act of wrapping gifts into a pleasant, creative experience.