HOW TO WRAP AWKWARDLY SHAPED GIFTS

A concise guide on how to wrap awkwardly shaped gifts.

Wrapping paper does wonders when concealing gifts that are either prepackaged or naturally shaped like a rectangle or a square. Think of coffee table books, chess boards, or encased postcard sets. When it comes to soft, round, or unusually shaped gifts, wrapping may seem challenging, yet it is not impossible. Clothing items, vases, and bottles can still be wrapped neatly in various creative ways.

The Gather & Tie Method

Soft and “fluid” gifts, such as cashmere sweaters, silk scarves, and plushies, are often conveniently tossed in gift bags. The same goes for spherical items, such as snow globes or round vases. Using decorative wrapping paper instead offers a more polished and thoughtful gift presentation. The best way to wrap such items is the gather and tie method. In this case, the paper should be significantly larger than the item, depending on how voluminous you would like the ruff to be.

(1) Lay the decorative paper face down on a clean surface.

(2) Place the gift at the very centre.

(3) Pull all four corners upwards, similarly to how you would put someone’s hair in a ponytail.

(4) Secure the gathered paper at the top with a ribbon or twine to create a decorative ruff.

The Cylindrical Wrap Technique

Wine bottles, long vases, posters, and other cylindrical objects can be very easily wrapped in decorative paper. The wrapping paper should be at least 5 cm longer than the gift itself.

(1) Lay the wrapping sheet face down on a clean surface.

(2) Roll the cylindrical gift from one side to another, wrapping the item with the decorative paper and securing with double-sided tape.

(3) Twist the excess paper on both ends like a “candy wrapper” and secure with ribbons.

(4) Alternatively, bottles can be wrapped without a twist by leaving the neck unwrapped and covering it with a “corsage” made of greenery or dried flowers.

Creating Custom Gift Bags

Hand-made giftbags appear more thoughtful and personalised than store-bought ones. Creating one using wrapping paper is a creative solution when contemplating how to wrap awkwardly shaped gifts. In this case, cut a rectangular piece of wrapping paper large enough to wrap around the gift with at least 5–8 cm of overlap. For height, ensure there are 10–15 cm extra at the top for sealing.

(1)  Lay the decorative sheet face down on a clean surface.

(2) Fold the left and right edges toward the center so they slightly overlap.

(3) Secure with double-sided tape for an invisible seam.

(4) Fold the bottom edge up. Open this fold and press the corners inward to form a diamond shape.

(5) Fold the top and bottom points of the diamond toward the centre so they overlap. Secure with multiple pieces of tape to ensure the base can hold the gift's weight.

(6) Open the bag and place your gift inside. Fold the top over once or twice and secure it with a sticker, decorative tape, or wax seal.

(7) Alternatively, use a paper puncher to create two wholes and add ribbons to form custom-made handles.

The Boxing Method

When wrapping unusually shaped items, the easiest method is to encase it first.

(1) Select a rectangular or square box that can fit your gift, and fill the empty spaces with paper.

(2) Lay the wrapping paper face down on a clean surface.

(3) Adjust the paper size based on the gift’s measurements; the sheet should be able to cover all sides without creating extra bulk.

(4) Place your gift face down and in the middle of the marked surface.

(5) Wrap the long sides first, tuck in the sides, and crease the folds. Secure with double-sided tape.

Selecting the Right Wrapping Materials

When wrapping oddly shaped gifts, the quality of the materials used is even more essential. Manuela Menzi Studio uses premium 100 g/m2 paper that is sturdy enough to reduce tears and snags, yet flexible enough to be seamlessly wrapped around awkwardly shaped items. Each design comes in conveniently pre-cut sheets of various sizes.

If you are interested in experimenting with more wrapping styles, we have compiled a list of the five most common wrapping methods.