8 Wrapping Tips to Elevate Your Gifts!

By daniellatheis

Professional gift wrapper Jane Means shares her top tips on wrapping even the trickiest items…

Jane Means

While gift wrapping can, at times, feel tedious, it is also a great way to add an extra, personal element to your Christmas (and birthday) gifts.

Did you know that people in the UK are expected to wrap around 2000 Christmas presents in their lifetime, spending on average around 324 hours doing so?

Statistics published by Amazon Fresh in 2022, revealed not only this, but that many of us can find the experience stressful, with one in two saying they “hate wrapping because it takes ages.”

Looking for some advice on how to wrap up your presents? We spoke with gift wrapper Jane Means, who has wrapped for some of the biggest brands like Dior, Harrods, Chanel, Debenhams, and more, on elevating your gift wrapping and making your presents the best ever!

Make sure to read our interview with Jane about what it is like being a professional gift wrapper in the latest issue of My Weekly, on sale from Nov 11-25, 2004.

8 gift wrapping tips:

1. Start with the basics

While she is still often found wrapping gifts for clients, Jane also regularly runs gift wrapping courses, as well as posting hints and tips on her Instagram, for anyone looking to improve their skills.

“On a typical day, we’ll start with the mega basics,” Jane says. “So, it’s how to measure your paper, how to wrap a box professionally, how to use double sided tape, and then you move on to more sort of awkward shapes.”

2. Avoid common gift-wrapping errors

According to Jane, there are some very common errors that are easily avoided once you are aware of them.

“The biggest mistake is people using too much paper and sticky tape,” Jane describes. “Visually measure the gift beforehand and try to disguise your tape under ribbon if you aren’t using double sided tape. Presentation is everything!”

The other is losing track of what you’re wrapping – and for who!

Make sure that you write your tags first, so you don’t forget what you are wrapping

“This is one of the most common mistakes people make when wrapping multiple presents at Christmas,” Jane advises.

3. Plan ahead!

Ensure that you buy your materials early so that you have plenty of choice. A perfect tool kit would include sharp scissors, a handy Scotchtape dispenser, double sided tape, wrapping, tags and ribbon.

Jane sells a collection of gift-wrapping items – including paper, ribbons, decorations, and other accessories.

4. Pick the right wrapping paper!

In the lead up to Christmas especially, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed at the many, seasonal options of wrapping paper out there.

For Jane, one key thing to do is to – if you can – touch the paper you’re hoping to buy. Is it thick enough to hold what you’re planning on wrapping?

However, choosing what your paper looks like can also help you – both in terms of the wrapping process and cutting costs!

“Avoid buying Christmas patterned paper so you can use it throughout the year,” is Jane’s advice. “Choose an alternative, like dots or check.”

“Brown paper is a classic favourite and can be teamed with pretty much any colour ribbon or accessory,” she continues. “It also looks great with foliage and is environmentally friendly.”

5. Use the power of accessories!

“Adding decorations to your gifts makes an eye-catching feature,” says Jane. “It’s also a great way of distracting the eye if you make a mistake with your wrapping.”

These are ways to add gift accessories to your Christmas gifts that don’t cost the earth (literally!).

Once everything else is done, tie in some fresh greenery like ivy, laurel, bay and rosemary – or, for a more natural look, opt for twigs and cones – to give some fragrance and a fresh twist to your wrapping. If you run out of gift tags, fresh leaves can also be written on with a metallic gel pen! Take a look at Jane’s tips for sustainable and eco-friendly materials.
Rather than throw away old Christmas baubles, recycle them and add them in to your gifts for a festive touch!
Tassels are still a huge trend! Recycle old ones, by tying them on with narrow ribbon.
To personalise your gifts, glue some scrabble letters on to the gift tags!

Top tip: Consider all the senses!

“Spritz your gifts with some festive room spray,” is one of Jane’s ways of going the extra mile. “Your gifts will not only look great but smell delicious, too.”

Looking for inspiration? We love this Red Berries and Mistletoe Spray by Habitat, which also has warming notes of ginger and cinnamon (available at Sainsbury’s, RRP £5).

Spritz with festive room spray to add beautiful scents for even more appeal

6. Know how to cover up your mistakes and rough edges!

“If you have to wrap some awkward shapes such as a circular tin, opt for a busy patterned paper as it will disguise any unwanted creasing or mistakes,” Jane explains.

Another way to hide your work and make your gift look more elevated, is to use double sided tape, instead of Sellotape, and being mindful how you could hide imperfections.

“I always fold the edges under to hide away rough paper edges,” Jane adds. “For boxes, try and disguise the seam on the edge of the box and always use double sided tape.”

7. Get crafty!

Did you know that independent research by The Crafts Council has revealed that crafting is proven to boost wellbeing? Whether it is already part of your routine, or something you are looking to explore, taking the time to create some hand-made accessories is a great way to show how much you care.

These are some of Jane’s favourites:

Papercraft: Remnants of giftwrap can easily be transformed into pinwheels or fans which can be added to gifts. Or why not follow the photo above to add extra folds to your wrapping paper to form a pretty design?
Pom-poms are another favourite and can be easily made with wool!

Pic: Shutterstock

Don’ worry, if crafting is not your thing. Readymade pom-poms, bows and accessories are a great choice!

8. Don’t be afraid of tricky shapes!

“Awkward shapes are best wrapped with flexible materials such as tissue, crepe paper, cellophane (usually available at your local florist), netting and fabric,” Jane describes.

For large items use a paper tablecloth. These easily mould around large objects like luggage and can easily be purchased from party suppliers and supermarkets.

A gift wrapped in fabric

“Fabric remnants are a way to re-use and recycle,” Jane adds. “Simply place the item in the centre of the fabric and gather. Tie a knot to secure and you have an eye-catching gift.”