Wrapping a gift – ideas and tips

Giving gifts to your loved ones is always a special affair. This is how you show your appreciation and love at Christmas, birthdays or Valentine's Day. It works even better if you also wrap the gifts beautifully. This is possible with a wide variety of gift packaging, so you can find a suitable paper for every occasion.

However, it's not just the type of wrapping paper that matters, but also the way it's packaged. In this article we give you great tips that will help you showcase gifts even better in the future.

More than just paper: That's why you should wrap gifts beautifully

Giving and receiving gifts are two wonderful things. You can increase the joy associated with it even further by wrapping the gifts nicely . This way, the recipient can see at first glance that you put effort into the gift and didn't just buy it in a hurry.

Wrapping gifts also has practical benefits . The wrapping paper protects the item inside from external influences, which is particularly helpful if it is a piece of clothing or an accessory made of textile .

The positive tension that arises from the fact that the gift is not recognizable at first glance should not be underestimated. To find out what is under the paper, the recipient must remove it. To extend this process and thus the anticipation a little, you can also add a matching colored bow to the gift.

The following trick makes packing and unpacking even more fun: First, wrap the gift and put it in a box that you also wrap nicely. This way you can stack as many boxes as you like. We guarantee that no one will hold this little fun against you.

Tradition meets innovation: combining wrapping paper and foil

Foil and pretty wrapping paper , such as wrapping paper with a photo , are often used to wrap gifts. You should use foil if you want the gift to be visible in its packaging. The disadvantage is that the surprise effect is lost a little. However, some gifts are very suitable for this type of packaging, such as elaborately decorated plant pots.

But it is also important to spice up the foil packaging a little . To bring more color into play, you can use gift ribbon, for example, which is available in different widths and designs . While a narrow ribbon adds stylish accents and can be loosened with scissors, you can tie pretty bows with wide gift ribbons. The gift tape is the best way to close the package at the same time, so less tape is required.

When it comes to color combinations, you should rely entirely on your own taste. Whatever you like is allowed here. We recommend that you proceed either tone-on-tone or accentuated . You shouldn't overdo it with patterns so that the gift packaging doesn't look too overloaded and instead creates a harmonious overall picture .

To wrap gifts neatly with paper, you should use the package folding technique . This creates a neat cover, which can then be easily decorated with ribbons, bows and stickers.

Think outside the box: alternative packaging ideas

Wrapping gifts doesn't always have to be the same way. Types of packaging that deviate slightly from the norm are particularly original. We have put together a few tips and suggestions for you here that are suitable for many different occasions:

• Newspaper pages as wrapping paper: This wrapping method is not only good for the environment, but also has a very special charm. It is particularly suitable for people who like to read a lot. For example, wrap a good book in newspaper. To prevent the printer's ink from rubbing off on the gift, you should leave it in its original foil.

• Neutral cardboard with natural elements: Even an initially simple cardboard box can look very tasteful with the right decoration. In winter, for example, pine branches are ideal for this, and dried and pressed leaves in autumn.

• Decorations made of paper or foam rubber: No matter how simply a gift is wrapped, any paper can be spiced up with pretty figures made of foam rubber. In the case of a birthday or anniversary, for example, you can cut out the celebration number out of paper or foam rubber and use it to decorate your package. There is a large selection of colors available to you.

• Wrapping paper instead of wrapping paper: If you don't have any pretty wrapping paper on hand, you can use wrapping paper as an alternative. This is initially neutral, but can easily be enhanced with pretty motifs or lettering. If you have children, this is the best way to encourage them to paint and craft.

Tackle it: step-by-step instructions for the perfectly wrapped gift

Do you have all the necessary materials together and now want to start wrapping your gift? To ensure that this is successful, we provide you with simple step-by-step instructions here. This is what you need:

• Wrapping paper (for example wedding wrapping paper ) or an alternative

• Gift ribbon

• duct tape

• Scissors

• Masking tape

Everything available? Then you can continue here:

1. Roll out the wrapping paper: The surface on which the wrapping paper is rolled out must be dry and clean. Then place the gift on the unrolled part of the paper.

2. Cutting wrapping paper: Make sure that there is enough paper left and right of the gift, as this is the only way it will completely cover the edge later.

3. Find the center: Place the gift on the paper so that the envelopes are evenly sized. The distances left and right as well as above and below must be identical.

4. Fold the edge: When cutting, it can easily happen that the edge is not completely straight or even appears a bit frayed. To make it look nice and straight, you should fold it once.

5. Stretch the paper: Then fold the bottom half of the paper over your gift. Make sure that the paper is stretched slightly and that you do not trap any air between the wrapping paper and the product.

6. Fold in and secure: Use your other hand to fold the top edge over it and secure it to the bottom half using an adhesive strip.

7. Turn the package: Now turn the package and wrap the sides. In this step you should slightly smooth the top edge.

8. Fold corners: Fold the left corner towards the package to form a triangle. Again, lightly smooth the outer edge. Repeat the process with the right corner.

9. Fold the edge of the paper and smooth it out: Now fold the bottom edge of the paper once and smooth it evenly.

10. Tensioning and folding: What is still protruding is carefully tensioned and folded around the product.

11. Fix the edge: Finally, the edge must be fixed with one or two adhesive strips. You then repeat the same thing on the other side.

Now your package is ready so you can decorate it with a pretty ribbon .

FAQ - Wrapping gifts

Wrapping gifts has a long tradition. Are you still unsure how to wrap gifts in an original way ? Then we recommend that you take a look at the most frequently asked questions with helpful answers in our FAQ section .

How do I wrap gifts in an original way?

The gift packaging should be kept simple so that it looks visually appealing. The combination of wrapping paper and black adhesive tape is currently trendy, although the adhesive tape should be matt.

How to wrap gifts if you don't have wrapping paper?

It doesn't always have to be printed wrapping paper. Original alternatives include cardboard boxes, tea towels or other materials, but also tin cans and plain wrapping paper.

How do I wrap a box as a gift?

Wrapping a box as a gift is quick and easy. To do this, you have to calculate the base area of ​​the box (or lid) + 2 x the height of the box (or lid) and cut the wrapping paper to the calculated size. Then apply some adhesive film to the middle of the box and place your open box on top. Now cut all four corners of the wrapping paper diagonally to the cardboard corners, coat each one individually with glue and wrap them in. It is important that you rub the wrapping paper well so that no air bubbles remain underneath.

How do you wrap a small gift?

In many cases, wrapping paper rolls in the standard size 200 x 70 cm can be purchased. If the gift is not overly large, that is sufficient. Make sure you cut the wrapping paper to the appropriate size before you start wrapping.

Conclusion

Give your gift a stylish wrapper: That's the point of wrapping it with wrapping paper. You can also use pretty packaging to show that you have thought about the gift and want to present it in an attractive way. All it takes is a little skill and fine motor skills to wrap presents neatly. With the help of our step-by-step instructions, the process shouldn't cause you any problems.

At the end, spice up your gift with pretty gift ribbon or stickers. Alternatively, you can also use wrapping paper and paint it with the desired motifs.