THAT'S A WRAP

Wrap artist shares her favourite tips for wrapping awkwardly shaped Christmas presents

Laura Stott

Published: 23:29, 15 Dec 2020
Updated: 10:18, 16 Dec 2020

GET your gifts looking gorgeous with our clever wrapping hacks.

Turning tricky-shaped trinkets into triumphs is just a few folds away – with a little nifty know-how and a bit of time and tape.

Jodie Mosaid shares her favourite tips for wrapping awkwardly shaped Christmas presentsCredit: Stewart Williams - Commissioned by The Sun

Professional gift wrapper Jodie Mosaid has turned her hand to all manner of testing tasks, from tricky edges to annoying outlines.

Here Jodie, from Wrap Artists, shows LAURA STOTT how to tackle problematic presents and create a bespoke finish that would make even Santa’s elves proud.

All you need is gift wrap, tissue paper, sharp scissors or a paper cutter, sticky tape (preferably double- sided), decorations, tags and ribbon.

Bobble hat

Treat the bobble hat as if it were oblong shape for a simple and smart lookCredit: Stewart Williams - Commissioned by The Sun

DON’T attempt to follow the shape of the hat – just treat it as if it were oblong shape for a simple and smart look.

Cut paper into a neat rectangle shape, allowing enough extra to meet in the middle of your hat along the long edges.

For short edges, allow width of the pom pom when cutting paper, for good clearance.

Fold over edge of the long side neatly for a smart finish, then lay hat on paper. Wrap around and secure the long edge with tape.

For short edges, allow width of the pom pom when cutting paper, for good clearanceCredit: Stewart Williams - Commissioned by The Sun

On the shorter sides, fold in traditional corners at the edges and secure. Finish with ribbon, tag and decorations.

USE FOR: Gloves, scarves and other clothing

Toblerone

Lay the Toblerone on the paper and rotate three times to give you the correct amount of paperCredit: Stewart Williams - Commissioned by The Sun

LAY the Toblerone on the paper and rotate three times to give you the correct amount of paper. For short edges, cut paper to precise triangle height.

Fold over long edges for a smart finish. Roll the gift in the paper and press down edges for a sharp, neat, line.

Push down ends and smooth paper carefully to create a perfect triangle.

Fold to fit and secure with tape. Repeat at opposite end.

Finish with decoration of your choiceCredit: Stewart Williams - Commissioned by The Sun

Finish with decoration of your choice, placed directly in the centre of your gift.

USE FOR: Chocolate, cosmetics, gift sets, DIY sets, any pyramid edges.

Smellies gift set

Close pump end by creating traditional corners at edges and folding paper downCredit: Stewart Williams - Commissioned by The Sun

LAY gift on it’s on side and measure paper so the long edge fold meets exactly in the middle. Allow around four inches on the shorter edges.

At bottom end, fold paper inwards on short sides to create traditional triangle edges, then fold each long edge inwards, creasing sharply. Secure with tape.

Close pump end by creating traditional corners at edges and folding paper down. Stick with tape.

Decorate with ribbon and tags, which are also a useful reminder of which way up to open the gift.

You can use this trick for make-up and cosmeticsCredit: Stewart Williams - Commissioned by The Sun

USE FOR: Perfume, make-up, culinary and cosmetic and lotions.

Jodie's top tips

Always measure out your paper first and work on a flat surface to keep the finish smooth and crease free.
Use double-sided tape if you can. it gives an invisible seal to folds and edges that looks really professional.
Go to town on decorations. The sky’s the limit — ribbons, tags and bows are widely available. Or get creative using foliage such as holly and mistletoe, tree decorations or Christmas confectionary like candy canes.
A paper cutter is useful and makes getting the right size of wrap so much easier - and without tears. (Fiskars paper cutter, £8.98 at amazon.com).
If you are still struggling, don’t stress. Focus on neat edges and folds and hide any bodge jobs with festive ribbons and bows. Then place under the tree good side up.

Wine bottle

Stand the bottle upright, pinch down top edges into triangles, fold over and secureCredit: Stewart Williams - Commissioned by The Sun

TO work out how much paper is needed, place the bottle close to the long edge of the paper and rotate three times. Allow around three inches clearance at both the top and bottom of the bottle.

Once paper is cut to size, make a small fold along the long edge and apply double-sided tape. Starting from the opposite side, roll up the bottle and secure firmly with tape.

Firmly press down the paper at the base of the bottle into evenly sized “cake slice” shaped pleats. Secure with tape.

Stand bottle upright, pinch down top edges into triangles, fold over and secure.

Secure into a bow and add embellishments of your choiceCredit: Stewart Williams - Commissioned by The Sun

Cut a ribbon length four times the height of the bottle. Secure into a bow and add embellishments of your choice.

USE FOR: Spirits, culinary sauces, flowers, cosmetic bottles

Bowl

Scrunch and twist excess paper into the middleCredit: Stewart Williams - Commissioned by The Sun

ARRANGE four sheets of tissue paper in double layers. Place the colour you want as the outside wrapper on the bottom.

Place bowl in the centre of the paper. If possible, pack with extra tissue before wrapping for a smarter finish.

Pinch the tissue into a central point at the top of your bowl, then work around the circumference, pleating inwards towards the middle for an even “wheel spoke” effect.

Scrunch and twist excess paper into the middle. Secure with string or an elastic band, and then tie ribbon around to hide.

Secure with string or an elastic band, and then tie ribbon around to hideCredit: Stewart Williams - Commissioned by The Sun

Add additional length of ribbon to create a “four-leaf clover” bow and trim ends neatly.

USE FOR: Chocolate and biscuit tins, gift baskets, crockery.

Candle

At one end, make triangle-shaped pleats, working towards the centre of the baseCredit: Stewart Williams - Commissioned by The Sun

MEASURE your paper by wrapping it around the circumference of the candle.

For the short edges allow enough paper to pleat inwards neatly.

Make a small fold along the long edge of the paper, then apply double- sided sticky tape. Wrap up and secure firmly.

At one end, make triangle-shaped pleats, working towards the centre of the base. Fold into even segments, smoothing each one down.

Add decorations to the top as a reminder of the correct way upCredit: Stewart Williams - Commissioned by The Sun

Secure tape over the final pleat to hold it in place. Repeat at opposite end.