The sun is shining, the bells are jingling, and nearly everyone has donned their best ugly holiday sweater — ah, it must be Christmas!
The happiest time of the year, there’s nothing we love more than the holidays. From copious amounts of eggnog and warm chocolate chip cookies to crazy light displays and brilliant decorations, it’s easy to see why we get so excited about the red and green.
Sure, Valentine’s Day is pretty sweet, and hotdogs on the 4th of July are lit. We also can’t deny the greatness of April 20 — aka, 420. However, something about a pile of presents under that Christmas tree that marks this holiday as a special treat in the winter season.
After all, what other time of the year is it socially acceptable to be a bit buzzed every day from one too many spiked apple ciders?
That being said, while there’s really not much we’d change about the beloved holiday, if we could modify one teensy-weensy little category, it would be to nix all the wrapping paper.
We know what you’re thinking: “Wrapping paper?!”
And yes, wrapping paper.
Although a perfect wrapping job is quite beautiful, transforming a gift into a stunning piece of art in a snap is certainly no walk in the park. It’s not just some simple skill that your average kindergartener can easily master, and it’s definitely not as easy as it looks on TV.
The epitome of painful paper cuts, wrapping paper, can be a huge pain in the derriere. Not only is it tricky to work with, but all it takes is one wrong fold and wham, bam, thank you, ma’am, your gift boxes look like they got ran over by a reindeer. Ok, maybe we’re being a bit dramatic, but you get the point.
In this post, we’re exploring some of the best tips and tricks to help make the experience with wrapping paper a better one. Whether you’re hoping to save your fingers from nasty paper cuts or simply searching for an easy way to level up your gift wrapping game, we’ll tell you everything you need to know to wrap like a pro.
Continue reading below for creative gift wrapping ideas and holiday inspiration.
Before we dive into all the clever gift wrapping hacks, you first need to know how to properly wrap a present.
Take a peek at the steps below to master a basic gift wrap:
First things first — gather all the supplies.
You will need:
After you gather your supplies, find a flat, clean surface and unroll your wrapping paper face-down. Be sure you have enough paper to fit around the entire gift before cutting it with scissors.
Once cut to the correct size, place your gift (which should be in a box) face-down in the middle of the wrapping paper.
Bring the paper from the long side of the box up to the middle of your gift. Gently pull both sides tightly so that the paper hugs your gift smoothly before taping it closed.
Now, it’s time to close the ends. Face the open end towards your body and fold the right and left edges, pushing the sides in next to the box to form little flaps. Fold the top flap down and secure it with tape. Then, fold the bottom flap up and secure it with tape.
Repeat on the other side of the gift, and voila — you’re a gangsta wrapper!
Isn't this so much better than throwing otherwise very thoughtful gifts into a gift bag and cramming some tissue paper on top? Heck yeah.
Now that you’ve got the fundamentals of gift wrapping under your belt and know how to do a basic wrap, it’s time to learn a few tips and tricks to level up:
For the wrapping impaired, we suggest sticking with a cool holiday paper featuring mixed patterns, vibrant colors, and/or fun designs. Save the everyday prints for weddings and birthdays.
Plus, wrapping paper with a busy print can hide a lot of messy wrapping work if you don’t have the patience to make it look flawless.
Want your present to look like it came straight out of a magazine? You need double-sided tape: aka, seamless wrapping magic! Indispensable for gift wrapping, this tape stays put and out of sight.
Instantly dress up all holiday gifts with a small snip of fresh greenery like pine or another festive fond. The non-traditional topper doubles as a fun wintery fragrance. Keep the winter vibes by tieing some baker's twine in a simple bow.
Fabric ribbon is lovely, but it can be a hard-to-do accessory thanks to its tendency to fray. That being said, if you want to add a stylish ribbon bow, just be sure to cut the fabric at an angle to prevent the edges from coming apart.
If this is tricky, head to your local craft store for pre-made fabric bows.
A little decoration can go a long way to take your gift from basic to extraordinary. Dress up your wrapped package using small festive items like bells, ornaments, and candy.
You can either tie these items into your bow, tuck them under the ribbon, or simply take them down. Don't forget to label the gift tags. With large groups, multiple people may be handling presents, and you don't want the kids to end up with the present wine.
Make sure to write a nice card and slip it in an envelope. Decorate this envelope with leftover wrapping or construction paper to create less waste in your wrapping job.
Wrapping gifts can be hard. Yes, it certainly sounds simple, but if you’re striving for a seamlessly wrapped present that looks nothing short of flawless... it’s tough. But don’t worry! With our tips and tricks listed above, you’ll be a pro in no time.
At Famous IRL, we want to help you make this holiday season your best one yet. Whether you desperately need some gift wrapping guidance or are on the hunt for an undeniably funny yet indisputably ugly Christmas sweater, you can always count on us to have your back!
Ready to sleigh all day? Check out our top-notch inventory of premium quality apparel today and spread a little holiday cheer tomorrow.
Sources:
38 Best Christmas Light Displays in the US | Holiday Light Shows Near Me
Why do paper cuts hurt so much? | Ohio State University
How to Wrap a Present Like a Pro: Step-by-Step Guide & Video | Real Simple