How to wrap gifts beautifully
With a little practice and creativity you can easily add a festive flourish to presents this year
The golden rule of wrapping is to use a different approach for each kind of item.
Clothing or accessories are best folded compactly and wrapped in tissue paper.
To steady round objects such as footballs, place a bowl underneath the sheet. There's always an awkward shape to baffle even the most confident among us: tissue or cellophane are flexible enough to work around odd angles, while any sharp edges can be softened with old bubble wrap.
Recycled brown paper is traditional packaging for parcels and has a great nostalgic quality, as well as being cheap, reusable and available on large rolls. Turning everyday items into gift boxes can introduce an element of surprise: an egg carton filled with sweets will fox even the canniest recipient.
Simple changes to your technique such as covering sticky tape by tying ribbon over it, or using double-sided tape so it doesn't show, instantly improve the look of presents. Cut ribbon with sharp scissors only for a clean edge: blunt ones will give it an untidy finish; to avoid running out, tie a shoelace bow around the narrowest part of your parcels.
Add a fragrant flourish to beautifully parcelled presents with herbs such as rosemary and bay, and glean interesting feathers and twigs - as well as cones - on walks which will give a rustic touch to any gift. If you've more time, slices of orange can be dried in a low oven to add both a bold splash of colour and a zesty, festive aroma. Inexpensive or broken brooches make pretty decorations threaded onto ribbon.
Getting started
Books to read
'Wrap It Up: 100s of Fast, Fun, and Festive Gift Wrapping Ideas' by Espen Markussen (St Martin's Griffin, £14.24)
'Quick & Clever Gift Wraps: Quick and Clever Gift Wraps' by Nicole Steiman (Sterling, £7.19)
'Gift Wrapping: Creative Ideas from Japan' by Kunio Ekiguchi (Kodansha America, £8.99)
'Gifted Wrapping: Step-by-step Instructions for Stylish and Elegant Wraps for Perfect 'present'ations' by Christine Fritsch (Rockport Publishers, £9.09)
'The Gift Wrapping Book' by Caroline Birkett (David & Charles, £4.55)
Go on a course
Jane Means gift wrapping
These one-day courses with Country Living Magazine favourite Jane Means take place in Lincolnshire, Oxfordshire, London, North Yorkshire, Manchester and Glasgow. Bring along any awkward-shaped gifts and learn how to wrap them perfectly in any style and on any budget. As well as ribbon tying, you'll also learn about Japanese pleating. Places cost from £110 (£99 for Lincolnshire venue) and include materials, morning coffee, lunch and a handout.
Basic gift wrapping and bow making
Learn how to make bows and embellishments from old remnants and liven up all shapes and sizes of gifts on this one-day course in Wolverhampton, Midlands. Lunch and a certificate are included in the price. Places cost £190.
Gift baskets and hampers
Particularly good for business owners, this course, based in East Sussex, will teach you how to create stunning gift baskets and hampers that will up the perceived value of the gifts. Explore the use of different containers, learn how to make bows and create hampers that look too good to open! Courses take place across the UK. Places cost £116.33 including all materials, morning coffee and lunch.
Card making
Give greetings - as well as your presents - a handmade touch. Try an individual lesson or go with a friend to Craft Barn in Cosham, Hampshire, where you will learn how to create greetings cards using a variety of techniques including decoupage and folding. A two-hour lesson costs £12.50. Five-week courses are also available.
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See great gift-wrapping ideas from Jane Means
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