How to Wrap a Gift

In this instructable, you will learn a simple way to measure, cut, and fold your wrapping paper for a clean result.

1. A roll of wrapping paper
2. A pair of scissors
3. A roll of clear tape
4. Your gift in a box

Place all supplies on a large, flat surface such as a table or the floor.

Unroll the wrapping paper print side down and place your gift on top of it so that the longer sides of the box are parallel to the end of the roll.

Take the loose end of the wrapping paper and fold it up and over the box so that it wraps around and touches the white underside of the paper on the opposite side. Draw a real (or imaginary) line about 1 inch past where the wrapping paper meets the white. This extra inch will allow for a clean tape seam.

Cut along your (real or imaginary) dotted line so you have a sheet of wrapping paper that is wide enough to wrap around the box, but still too long in the other direction.

Keep the box in the same orientation (the long sides still parallel to where the roll of paper was).

Fold the top edge of the paper up toward the box so that it reaches just over halfway up the side of the box. This will determine how much paper you need for the end folds.

Rotate the box 180 degrees so you can measure the opposite side in the same way.

If the paper extends far past half way up the box, begin trimming away small strips of paper at a time. After each small cut, pull the paper up again to check your measurement.

Go slow! You can always cut more, but you can't put paper back once its gone.

At this point, your paper should now be perfectly sized. The paper should wrap completely around the length of the box and about half way up on both widths of the box.

Lay the wrapping paper flat again print side down on the flat surface and place the box in the center.

Bring the left and right sides of the paper up and over the length of the box so that they meet in the middle. Secure them with a piece of tape about 1 inch long.

press the paper flat against the sides and crease in the two corners to create triangular flaps.

Fold the bottom flap up toward the center of the box and secure it with a piece of tape about 1 inch long.

Rotate the box 180 degrees and repeat steps 7-8 on the other open end of the box.

Your gift is now neatly wrapped and ready to be given away!