Want Yours to Be the Prettiest Presents Under the Tree? Avoid These Common Gift-Wrapping Mistakes

As the year comes to a close, gift-giving is slowly but surely becoming top of mind. However, winter holidays aren’t the only occasions that put your gift-wrapping talent to the test. Birthdays, weddings, showers, and other gift-giving occasions are celebrated all year round, requiring you to finesse your gift-wrapping skills. 

Though gift wrapping may seem straightforward, there’s much more to the art form than meets the eye. A thoughtfully and carefully wrapped gift commemorates the occasion and makes the recipient feel loved and appreciated. Avoiding some of the most common gift-wrapping mistakes will make your loved ones feel extra special this holiday season and throughout the year. 

Choosing the Wrong Wrapping Paper

Especially for inexperienced gift wrappers, the wrapping paper you choose makes a big impact on the final product. Annabelle Borke, a professional gift wrapper and owner of Tinseltown Gift Wrapping, recommends that you opt for paper that has “cut lines” on the inside. "This will help you to cut equal amounts of paper on both sides of your gift and will help you cut in a straight line," she says.

Vanessa West, a professional gift wrapper and owner of Avenue Wrapping, also recommends you choose coordinating colors. "When you have nice complementary papers—even if you might not be the best gift wrapper—it makes a big difference," says West. "I like choosing a more heavily patterned paper with something more simple like stripes in matching colors."

Using Too Much Wrapping Paper

Using too much wrapping paper can make wrapping a gift much harder, and the result is often a sloppy-looking present. Measuring properly is the key to an expertly wrapped gift. "Make sure the sides of your gift have just the right amount of paper before you start folding!" says Borke. "You want the paper to come about 2/3 of the way down the side of the gift in order to avoid having too much excess paper.”

Cutting Your Wrapping Paper Too Short

To avoid cutting a piece of wrapping paper that’s too short for your gift, measure on the side of caution. "You want just enough to go around the box with a little overlap and a little less than the height of the sides of the box," says West. "My rule of thumb is to do 1.5 times the length of the box." But if you do make a mistake, don’t worry because there is an easy fix. "One of my favorite ways to disguise paper that's too short to wrap around your box is to cut a strip of complementing paper and wrap it around the gift in the same way you do a ribbon," West says.

Leaving Roughly Cut Wrapping Paper Edges Exposed  

Professional gift wrappers know the secret to perfectly wrapped gifts is in the details. "Something that separates a pro from an everyday gift-wrapper is having nice clean seams," says Borke. "I accomplish this by folding the paper over about a centimeter so that instead of seeing the cut edge of the paper, you see a nice clean fold instead."

Using Dull Scissors

Using dull scissors makes it almost impossible to cut wrapping paper in a clean, straight line, and they will most certainly destroy the edges of your ribbon. Instead, use sharp scissors for your wrapping paper. For ribbon, "use fabric or ribbon scissors so that you get a nice smooth cut and no frayed or jagged edges!" says Borke.

Not Pulling the Paper Tight Before Taping

Puckering or air pockets can make even the most thoughtful gift look lazy. To avoid air pockets, "make sure to pull the paper tight while holding down your gift before taping," says Borke. "Careful not to rip the paper at the corners!” 

Using the Wrong Kind of Tape

To wrap your gifts like a pro, you’ll need all of the right supplies, including different kinds of tape. "Don't be afraid to use double-stick tape," says Borke. “For my gifts, I use regular tape for securing the paper to the gift and double-stick tape for any edges that will be seen so that you don't see any tape on the outside of the gift."

Saving the Gift Tag for Last

"After you've picked the perfect paper and ribbon, attaching a gift tag, with a white string tag for example, makes the tag feel like an afterthought," says West. "A simple fix for this is to put the tag directly onto the ribbon you're using. Before you make the loops on your bow, slide the tag on then tie your bow."

Using Too Much Tissue Paper Inside of Gift Boxes

Expert gift wrappers focus on the interior of the gift as much as the exterior, and bunching tissue paper inside a gift box makes the wrapping seem rushed. "Before laying tissue paper down inside of an apparel box, lay the box down on top of the paper and make a crease to mark the exact right size. Then, fold the tissue paper so that it's slightly smaller than the box," says Borke. 

Forgetting to Add Finishing Touches

"I think the finishing touches, like adding embellishments and bows, are a large part of the joy," says West. "One of the surefire ways to make or break the presentation of your gift is with the ribbon."

"To make your gifts look extra special, consider using a gift topper or bow stuffer as a finishing touch," Borke says. Or, she suggests, add a little fragrance into the mix. "A spritz of perfume or nice room spray can elevate your gift-giving!"