Eclipse gift wrapping service, based in Porthcawl, are professionals with a roll of sticky tape. Jennifer Lilley went along for a lesson…
Measure the paper properly
Over or under cutting leads to so much wasted gift wrapping paper – working with just the right amount of material makes the process much easier.
For a rectangular ended box, start by measuring the entire circumference with ribbon and add an inch extra on the end to allow a seam to be made. Then cut to size.Measure the width and place the box onto the wrapping paper with the width measurement free on each side.
This applies to wrapping all rectangular ended boxes including DVDs, though in this case, with the end being so small it can be a little fiddly.
To help, cut a long semi-circle in one side of the end covering, though be careful to leave enough to still cover the gift.
This means that when folding the end of the paper into the gift there is no unnecessary bulk sticking out of the end.
For square ended boxes, the same tips apply, but when first measuring the width, only measure to half way up the box with your ribbon.
Presentation is key
In professional gift wrapping, the sight of sticky tape is a big no-no.
Double sided tape is the key to perfectly-wrapped presents.
Bad presentation also shows in raw edges of paper on the end of a gift.
So the simplest solution, say Alison and Louise, is to always create a seam fold at the edge so any ragged ended paper is concealed.
Bored? Make a night of it. Invite friends over and wrap your Christmas gifts together.
Be creative
“As people become more aware of environmental issues, they also become increasingly aware of what they use as gift wrapping materials”, says Alison. Reusing and recycled materials have become a big trend, with people opting for brown paper and string over the usual colourful paper and multiple ribbons.
“There are lots of things around the house you can use to gift wrap,” adds Alison. “Spare buttons can be used as decoration, newspaper can be moulded into gift bags and even crisp packets which have been washed and turned inside out can be lovely silver wrapping for small gifts.”
Japanese wrapping technique, Furoshiki has also become popular recently, the method being that materials and fabrics are used to wrap instead of paper.
“This method allows the wrapping material to become part of the gift.”
Use appropriate materials
Wrapping a bottle or triangular shaped gift in wrapping paper will never be simple.
“It’s easier and much more presentable to wrap a bottle in tissue followed by cellophane,” says Louise.
“Then add ribbon, a bow or other decoration.”
If the wrapping materials are flexible then it’s much simpler to wrap difficult shaped items – the wrapping should mold to the gift and not the other way around.
If all else fails – cover it with a bow
Beautiful bows are easier to make than you may think.
Take a roll of ribbon, make a loop on the end (which can vary depending on how big you want the final bow to be) and begin to repeatedly loop the ribbon around the original loop up to 12 times.
Then, cut the ribbon, keeping your finger on the end to maintain the loop and secure with sticky tape on the inside (where the loop began) and the outside (where the loop finished).
With the ribbon secure in a full circle shape, pinch it in the middle and tie a thin piece of ribbon tightly around the center in a knot.
Once this is secure, the tape can be removed from the inner and outer and you can begin to pull out the individual ribbon strands from either side with a twisting motion as you do so.
When doing this, you’re able to mold and shape the ribbon so it looks exactly how you want it to.
Read my official article at: Wales Online http://www.walesonline.co.uk/useful-information/christmas/survival-guide/2012/12/11/how-to-wrap-the-perfect-christmas-present-91466-32400656/#ixzz2IW4NNux4
