Found the perfect gift for your loved one? Don’t squander its impact – master the art of wrapping to create a lasting impression, says Emily Horton
You might think a lesson in wrapping – who needs that? Shoving a bit of paper around a gift, fastening it with a bit of tape is not rocket science. Yet by following these simple, yet highly effective tricks that my mum passed onto me after learning them at a famous American department store, you too can create luxurious-looking gifts. So, pioneer the art of straight lines, neatly folded edges and hiding messy sticky tape so you too can bring a little bit of added luxury to under your tree this Christmas.
Tricks of the trade
The objective of luxury gift-wrapping is to hide messy, raw edges so they are not on show. You can do this by folding them over in a straight line to the inside of the paper.
Aim to secure the paper together in the centre of the object to create a straight line down the middle of the object.
- Likewise, hide any sign of sticky tape to by folding back the tape on the inside, folded edge.
- To fold the corners, fold down each corner diagonally to the centre. Cut away any excess paper.
- Always keep the paper taut around the gift and always reinforce fold lines – press down along them for a slick finish.
- Place the gift face down onto the paper and close the paper at the back – unless you want the front of the gift (e.g. a hamper) to be visible as the present is opened.
- Finally, it sounds obvious, but work on a flat and clean surface to avoid dirt and carpet threads becoming caught in the sellotape
Wrapping paper
Buy the best paper you can afford. Cheaper, thinner paper can rip and mark easily. M&S and The White Company are particularly good. Tissue paper can be expensive but try Lakeland for the best buy – it offers 100 sheets for £6.99.
Colour schemes
In my view the most stylish looking gifts are those with simple, block colours (I keep to red, silver and white) and the added bonus is that you can use it at any time of the year. Plus, if you keep to complementary colours, the presents will look fabulous once collected together under the tree.
White wrapping paper produces very elegant looking presents. Buy a thick, quality paper (I like The White Company's Kraft paper, £10), which is thick enough to conceal the present inside.
Beautiful bottles
Lakeland
Place a piece of tissue over cellophane (paper crumples too easily) and gather up both layers into a bunch at the top. Ensure the bottle can stand up and secure with curled ribbon.
Tantalizing tissue
Always wrap clothing and other delicate objects in tissue paper first; it protects fabrics and gives the impression of a more luxurious gift.
I am fan of Lakeland's great paper – it is such good quality and price – 100 sheets for £6.99
Finishing touches
Curling ribbon is a quick and easy way to create a dramatic finish: firmly pull the raw edge of the ribbon along the blade edge of a pair of scissors. Don't forget to arrange the ribbon and tuck in the ends.
I am also a fan of interiors company OKA for its fresh festive inspiration. This year, it has combined plain brown paper decorated with purple orchids from its artificial flower range (see picture above). The effect is stunning.
Failing that, foliage always add a festive flavour; mistletoe or a sprig of a variegated winter shrub can work wonders.
Label up
It sounds obvious, but don’t forget to label the present, especially if you're expecting lots of guests who might get mixed up after a snifter of sherry or two.
On plain wrapping you can use a metallic pen to write directly onto the paper – it’s less fiddly than using tags – and you can always doodle some holly.
Run out of tags? Cut shapes from old Christmas cards.
Lastly...
White Company
Try not to leave all the wrapping to the last minute. It's easier to be creative when you have the time.
