Why Beautiful Gift Wrapping Matters
A beautifully wrapped gift says as much as what's inside. Whether you're wrapping for a birthday, Christmas, or a special occasion, taking a little extra care with your presentation transforms a gift into an experience. The good news? You don't need to be a professional to wrap gifts beautifully — just the right paper, a few simple techniques, and a little patience.
At Made Paper Co, we believe wrapping is part of the gift. Our recycled wrapping paper is designed to look stunning and feel good to give — because sustainable choices should never mean compromising on style.
What You'll Need
- Wrapping paper (we recommend our wrapping paper — printed on recycled paper)
- Sharp scissors
- Tape (double-sided tape gives the cleanest finish)
- Ribbon or twine (optional but beautiful)
- A gift tag or greeting card
Step-by-Step: How to Wrap a Gift Neatly
Step 1: Measure Your Paper
Lay your gift face-down on the paper. You need enough paper to cover the gift with about 5–7 cm of overlap on each side. Cut cleanly — a straight edge makes all the difference.
Step 2: Fold the Long Sides First
Bring one long edge up and over the gift, securing it with tape. Then fold the other long edge over, creating a neat overlap. Use double-sided tape for an invisible finish.
Step 3: Create Neat End Folds
This is where most people struggle! At each end, press the sides in to create triangular flaps, then fold the bottom flap up and the top flap down. Secure with tape. Take your time here — neat ends are the mark of a beautifully wrapped gift.
Step 4: Add the Finishing Touches
A ribbon, a sprig of dried flowers, or a handwritten card elevates the whole package. Tuck a matching greeting card under the ribbon for a polished, cohesive look.
Pro Tips for Beautiful Gift Wrapping
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Use a hard surface — wrapping on a table (not the floor) gives you much more control.
- Less tape is more — use small pieces of tape precisely placed rather than long strips.
- Match your paper to the occasion — bold patterns for birthdays, classic designs for weddings, festive prints for Christmas.
- Wrap tight — pull the paper snug against the gift before taping for a crisp, professional look.
- Go eco — our recycled wrapping paper is just as beautiful as conventional paper, and it's a choice you can feel good about.
Wrapping Oddly Shaped Gifts
Not everything comes in a neat rectangle. For bottles, round gifts or awkward shapes, use a cardboard box - I try to keep a stash of good sized boxes on hand, especially at Christmas, and this is easy if you do a bit of online shopping like me.
Shop Our Wrapping Paper
Ready to wrap? Browse our full range of wrapping paper, greeting cards, and ribbons & twine — designed in New Zealand, printed on recycled paper, and made to make your gifts look their very best.