We wrap hundreds of gifts a month. Over the years we've picked up a lot of tricks, and most of them are surprisingly simple. Good wrapping isn't about expensive paper or fancy techniques. It's about being neat, choosing materials that work together, and adding one or two finishing touches.
Start With the Right Paper
Thick paper is easier to fold than thin paper. That's the single biggest difference between wrapping that looks polished and wrapping that looks scrappy. You don't need to spend a fortune. Brown kraft paper from a craft shop is about £3 for a large roll and it wraps cleanly every time.
Plain paper is more forgiving than patterned. Patterns show misalignment. A solid colour or simple kraft hides slight imperfections and lets your decorations do the talking.
The Box Trick
If the item you're wrapping is an awkward shape, put it in a box first. Even a shoebox lined with tissue paper turns a lumpy package into something neat. This is our number one tip and it solves 90% of wrapping headaches.
Folding Technique
The key to clean folds is precision, not force. Here's the method we use:
- Cut the paper with about 5cm extra on each side. Too much excess makes bulky folds.
- Place the gift face-down in the centre of the paper.
- Bring the long edges to the centre and tape them flat. Use one strip of double-sided tape for invisible joins.
- For the ends, fold the top flap down first, then fold the sides in to make triangles, then bring the bottom flap up.
- Press each fold with your thumbnail before taping. Sharp creases make everything look intentional.
Ribbon and String
Ribbon transforms a wrapped gift from fine to lovely. You don't need complicated bows. A single loop tied off-centre looks more modern than a big bow in the middle. Satin ribbon in a contrasting colour to the paper is our go-to.
For a more relaxed look, use natural twine or baker's string. It pairs well with kraft paper and dried botanicals.
Finishing Touches
This is where wrapping goes from good to memorable. Pick one or two extras from this list:
- Dried flowers: A single stem of dried lavender or eucalyptus tucked under the ribbon. Costs pennies, looks beautiful.
- Wax seal: Stamp a wax seal on the tape join. You can buy seal kits for under £10 and they work on both paper and ribbon.
- Hand-stamped tag: Rubber stamps on a plain card tag look more thoughtful than printed labels.
- Tissue paper lining: If the gift is in a box, line it with tissue in a complementary colour. Acid-free tissue from craft shops won't stain the contents.
- Fabric wrap: For something different, wrap in a cotton tea towel or cloth napkin. The wrapping becomes part of the gift.
The Colour Rules We Follow
Stick to two or three colours maximum. More than that and it starts to look cluttered. Our favourite combinations:
- Kraft paper + white ribbon + green dried eucalyptus
- White paper + blush ribbon + dried baby's breath
- Black paper + gold ribbon + a simple tag
- Sage green paper + cream string + a sprig of rosemary
Common Mistakes
- Too much tape: If you can see tape from the front, you've used too much. Double-sided tape is your friend.
- Wrapping too tight: Leave a tiny bit of slack. Paper that's pulled drum-tight tends to tear.
- Curling ribbon: That thing where you scrape ribbon with scissors? It looks good for about five minutes then goes limp and sad. Use proper ribbon instead.
- Ignoring the bottom: People flip the gift over. Make sure the underside is neat too.
Good wrapping tells the person you're giving to that you thought about them. It turns a nice gift into an experience. And it doesn't have to be complicated. Neat paper, one good ribbon, one natural element. That's all you need.
All gifts from our shop arrive wrapped in our signature style. But if you're doing it yourself, these tips should help.