Gift Wrapping Tips & Ideas

Use Pretty Ribbons For Adding Elegance To Any Package. Tip: Save The Ribbons Year After Year To Reuse--Just Snip Off Any Ragged Ends As They Appear

The knack of doing up attractive Christmas packages always has a simple system back of it. A twist of ribbon here, loops back and forth, and a crisp multiple bow grows in the fingers. Top the bow off with a red rosebud or some silver stars and presto! You’ve got a charming git-wrapped box.

It’s easy. With a little “know-how” anyone can wrap a package so that even the most inexpensive and insignificant gift will take on a glamorous appearance. Why not follow these step-by-step directions and see what you can do?

Tips For Wrapping Christmas Presents

When you prepare to wrap your gift packages have all your equipment in readiness–plenty of ribbon, scissors, spool wire or needle and thread, paste, Scotch tape, and a flat surface on which to work. Be sure to approach your tie-ribbons with the idea that you want perky, crisp bows. I have found that the best ribbon for bows is a fairly stiff ribbon–and I always favor the versatile satin; for it has more body, more “swish,” and richer colors. But you may like the Cellophane ribbons. If so, here is a hint to prevent this type ribbon cutting in two when tied: Moisten slightly the section of ribbon actually used in make the tie or knot. Another thing, don’t skimp on ribbon; but don’t overdo it either.

Bows do a great deal to add that finished look to a package. Each type bow is different in width, weight, and texture; and the purpose of the bow determines to some extent how the bow is tied.

The first step in make a gift package beautiful is to wrap it neatly and tightly in paper:

• The way to wrap a square or oblong box is to cut your paper long enough to go around the box and overlap about 1 1/2 inches. Cut the paper as wide as the box is long plus depth of box, and allow 1 inch extra. Wrap paper around box skin tight and secure with tab of Scotch tape. Next, fold end in from sides, creasing edges with fingers. Fold top flap down, bottom flap up. Fasten flaps with Scotch tape.
• Round boxes are a bit more tedious to wrap. You cut the paper according to size of box just as you did for square box. Wrap paper around box, securing it skin tight with a tab of Scotch tape. Then, crease paper at both ends of box into pleats. Press down firmly with your fingers, facing the pleats in one direction. Hold them in center with paste or Scotch tape.

Wrapping With Ribbons & Bows: How-To

Now for the ribbon trim. Make your bows first. Bows on gift packages are for beauty–not service. So always put your bow where it looks prettiest on the box. There are four basic types of bows–and from these grow ideas unlimited. Here are some easy to follow directions for making:

The Rosette Bow: Holding the ribbon in left hand, form a loop between thumb and forefinger, gathering it at center as shown in Fig. 1. Form another loop in opposite direction, gathering it at center, too. Make upward and downward loops until bow reaches desired size (20 loops in all of 5/8-inch ribbon makes a rosette 4 inches across). Next, tie it around center, using a short piece of ribbon, strong thread, or spool wire. Spread out loops.

The Tailored Bow: This is very simple to make. Cut a piece of ribbon twice the length planned for bow, as shown in Fig. 2. Scotch tape ends down at center to form loop. Make shorter loops in similar manner. Stack them (usually three to a bow). Wrap a short piece of ribbon around center and fasten it with paste.

The Pin Wheel Bow: Using a long length of ribbon, fold a series of loops one on top of the other (see Fig. 3). When you have six or more, wrap a short length of ribbon around center. Overlap and paste down ends. To fasten this bow to box, stand loops on edge and paste down at center. Spread out loops.

The Double Loop Bow: Using a fairly stiff ribbon about 5/8-inch wide, lay your loops on flat surface in folds with right side up as shown in Fig. 4. Cover with open hand and gather folds between first and second fingers. Wrap thread around the ribbon two or three times and draw it tightly, then fasten off.

More Tips

• The simplest way to beribbon your box after it is papered and you have made your bows, is to start where you intend to place the bow. Leave a 4-inch end of ribbon at starting place. Wrap ribbon around box. Cut off surplus, leaving a 4-inch end. Tie (but don’t knot ribbon if you can avoid it) or fasten together with a tab of Scotch tape. Place the bow, or bows, on the package, using the 4-inch ends to tie bow firmly in place.
• Pretty to tie in with bows: either a red rosebud or some silver stars. How do you do this? Lay a rosebud on top of a double loop bow and tie firmly with ribbon ends. As for the stars! Stick two silver stars together over each end of a 4-inch length of spool wire, place wire between two rosette bows and fasten to package, bending wires so stars appear to be shooting up from ribbon loops. A few loops of metallic ribbon added to whatever color bow you make, is another nice “tie-in.” To keep metallic ribbon right side up, turn the ribbon under thumb and fingers as each loop is made.
• For free gift tags, wrapping ideas and gift boxes, see DIY Wrap Up: 101 Gift Tags, Toppers & Wraps. You’ll also find more bow making instructions here: How To Wrap – Beautiful Bow Instructions.

This year the trend is away from the too-commercial Christmas package that has been in vogue. How much more Christmas-like is a gift that has been wrapped by you especially for the recipient; and how much more appreciated it is. Yes, everyone loves gifts that are different and which carry with them a real touch of the donor’s personality.

So with Christmas peeping from around the next corner, affording numerous opportunities for self-expression, get out your thinking cap, put it on and see what beautiful ribbon and bow ideas might develop for your gift packages. Perhaps you may surprise yourself–what’s more you will probably surprise someone else, too.

Source: The Workbasket (1952)

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