December 11, 2025 3 min read

little women themed gift wrapping. wrap a gift, tartan, plaid. meg.
Finding the right gifts for friends and family is such a joy. There’s nothing better than watching someone’s face light up when they unwrap something they’ve been dreaming about all year. But before the paper and ribbon go flying, it’s worth making sure your wrapping looks just as special as the gift insidehow to wrap a gift

What You’ll Need

To add some personality to your package, we suggest getting creative with your ribbon choice. Try wrapping a few layers of ribbon around the box or adding an extra large bow.

It's so much easier to wrap something square or rectangular. Do yourself a favor and pack your gift into a box. Taping it shut is recommended but optional!

The cardinal rule for choosing wrapping paper? The thicker, the better. To facilitate the trimming process, look for a roll with a grid pattern on the back.

Dealing with hand cramps before a big event? A sharp pair of scissors with a comfortable handle is key when you have a pile of gifts to tackle. They not only make cutting the paper a snap but also insure that the ends of your ribbon have clean cuts.

Here’s our trick from the pros: For neat seams use double-sided tape.

1. Cut Wrapping Paper

gift wrapping instructions

Place the box facedown on top of your wrapping paper, leaving the paper attached to roll. Use scissors to cut paper along one side, making sure there is enough paper on both sides of the boxes to cover the sides.

2. Fold Over

how to wrap a gift

While standing on the same side of the table as the roll, pull paper tautly up and over the far end of the box. Crease the paper along the box's edge with thumb and forefinger and adhere with double-sided tape.

3. Join Ends

how to wrap a gift

Unroll paper and bring it to meet the already wrapped end. Cut paper from roll, leaving an inch of overhang. Fold that inch under and crease along the fold. Adhere using double-sided tape.

4. Close Open Ends

how to wrap a gift

Now it’s time to tackle one of the open ends of the box. Push sides of paper inward, creating four 45-degree-angle flaps, then crease along the flaps.

5. Fold Down

how to wrap a gift

Fold down the top flap. Crease sharply along the top of box, then crease again where paper meets the bottom edge of box. Cut paper along that bottom crease. Adhere to the box with double-sided tape.

6. Get Rid of Excess Paper

how to wrap a gift

Pull the bottom flap up and fold it over the top of the box. Crease the fold. Apply double-sided table along the inside of the fold and adhere to the box.

7. Close Other Side

how to wrap a gift

Repeat steps four through six on the box's remaining open end. Finish all sides by running your pinched thumb and forefinger along edges to create sharp lines.

8. Add Ribbon

how to wrap a gift

Lay the wrapped box facedown on a length of ribbon (about five times as long as box). Pull ends of ribbon up and bring right end over the left. Pull width-wise so they cross.

9. Thread Ribbon

how to wrap a gift

Turn the box over. You should have two ribbon ends of about the same length. Thread each end under the ribbon already in place, as shown.

10. Make a Double Knot

how to wrap a gift

Double-knot the ribbon, then tie into a simple bow. Use your fingers to shape the loops.

11. Trim Ends

how to wrap a gift

Pinch the ribbon ends lengthwise and cut at a 45-degree angle to create forked ends, as shown. That’s it - all wrapped up and ready to gift!

how to wrap a gift

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