Let's Wrap: How to Create a Perfectly-Wrapped Present

Ever wonder how you can turn boring gift boxes into wrapped wonders complete with handmade bows? You’ll be proud to present these packages this holiday season or any other celebratory occasion!

Supplies Needed

scissors, gift-wrap, Scotch gift tape, and Berwick Flora-satin ribbon

Floral ribbon (the ribbon shown here is Flora-Satin by Berwick)
Gift wrap
Gift-wrap or transparent tape
Scissors or gift-wrap cutter
And of course, your gift!

Wrapping Paper Basics

Measure out your wrapping paper – it should be enough to come up at least two-thirds on either side of your gift, and enough to cover your gift with some extra to fold over for a clean edge.

Position your gift on the paper so that you can use the least amount of paper possible while still covering your gift.

a cardboard box that is halfway covered in wrapping paper. The gift wrap has pink, gold, and green trees against a white background.

Folding in the Ends

Once you get your wrapping paper cut, aiming to cut a straight line, wrap the paper around the gift and tape it with as few pieces of tape possible.

Next, fold the ends using the following technique:

a cardboard box, with one end of the box exposed (the rest is covered in gift wrap)

a cardboard box, with two ends folded on the same side

a cardboard box covered in gift wrap, with the end of the box covered in neatly folded corners

Preparing Your Present for the Bow

Once your ends are taped, you’re ready for your bow! This is the most exciting part of the process. You’ll fold the ribbon over the gift in the following way, wrapping it first around the front of the gift, then crossing the ribbon in the back, and then finishing up with a double knot back in the front:

Front:

Back:

Front:

Creating Your Bow

Next, you’ll loop the ribbon over your hands like this, keeping track of where the end of the ribbon is:

several loops of wide gold ribbon wrapped around a person's hands

Loop the ribbon over your hands at least 8 times – the more times you loop it, the fuller your bow will be! Cut the ribbon after you have the amount of loops you want:

Next, fold the ribbon loops in half, then cut two triangles on the fold like this:

several loops of wide gold ribbon, folded in half, with a person cutting two small triangles at the crease of the fold

Then, tie your unfolded ribbon loops onto your gift like this, using a double knot:

the unfolded gold ribbon loops tied onto the gift box using a double knot

Assembling Your Bow

Tear your knot ends into three even pieces, then curl them using a ribbon curler or scissors (be careful!):

a person curling gold ribbon with the edge of a pair of scissors

Next, pull out the ribbon from the interior of the ribbon loops in alternating outward and upward motions to create your bow:

Outward:

Upward:

Continue pulling out the ribbon loops, alternating outward and upward motions, and fluff up your ribbons as needed.

And finally, your present is wrapped!

the finished product - the present is wrapped with a fluffy gold bow

For more wrapping ideas and makerspace fun, be sure to check out Richland Library's Make & Create events!

Want to learn how to wrap like this in person? Sign up for Richland Library Cooper's Make & Create: Let's Wrap event happening on December 14, 2022!

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