Some may see wrapping paper a pretty useless layer on top of your thoughtful gift - after all, it is only going to end up in the bin. But handing over a perfectly wrapped present with a bow on really does make all the difference and adds to the excitement of the recipient.
While it might seem like a pretty basic task that we've been doing most of our lives for birthdays and Christmas's, there is a real art to wrapping gifts, and getting all those corners perfectly folded and taped down can be tricky, especially if your gift isn't a classic square shape.
That's why we've put together all our top tips when it comes to wrapping presents, from how much paper to use, to how to tie the perfect ribbon.
Step one: Finding the right tools
Have you ever bought a really pretty wrapping paper, only to get home and find that it is not cooperating with the tape or folding properly (we're looking at you glittery paper)? Finding the right wrapping paper is a must, and you don't want anything too thin or too thick for your present.
Invest in a roll that'll last you a year or two, and preferably opt for one which has a grid pattern on the inside - this will make cutting your paper to size a lot easier. Neutral colours like silver and gold or even brown paper style work well for every occasion, so you'll really get your money's worth.
This wrapping paper is really good quality and you can choose from silver, red, gold, champagne gold, green or blue metallic shades. Although the price might seem expensive, each roll is 76cm wide and 10m long, 80gsm weight. They're also perfect for every occasion.
If you prefer patterned paper, why not go for this subtle gold wrapping paper? They really are suitable for every occasion and with three different variations in a pack, you can mix up which you use. On the reverse side, you'll find a cut grid to ensure your paper is cut evenly which is really handy.
Investing in a pair of good quality scissors is a no brainer, and a nice sharp pair will allow you to easily glide through the paper with ease, and lets be honest, there's nothing more satisfying than that feeling!
Another essential is tape. Some people like to opt for a double sided tape, so that the tape isn't visible on the outside of the present, others prefer a classic transparent tape for ease. If you're going for the latter, it's a good idea to store your tape on a good quality dispenser that will cut the tape for you. If it's weighted, you'll be able to cut it with one had which will make your life a whole lot easier.
This tape dispenser comes in a variety of four different colours and features a super sharp cutter for effortless taping. You also get two rolls of 25mm x 45m tape which can be fit into the heavy duty tape dispenser which also has an anti-slip base.
If you're a fan of Scotch's 'invisible' tape, then this one is for you. It allows for one-handed dispensing of a wide variety of Scotch tapes (including their 100 per cent recycled plastic tape) thanks to the a weighted base. The item also includes 3M Scotch / 3x 3M Scotch Magic Tape 810, 19 mm x 33 m / Invisible.
Add some finishing touches to your present with some bows, ribbon and labels. There are some brilliant multipacks of these you can purchase online which should be plenty to keep you going.
This colourful pack of curling ribbon contains 26 rolls of 10m long ribbon in different colours.
Containing 24 medium sized bows, this pack includes six different coloured bows, perfect for every present.
You get a whopping 200 gift tags in this huge pack in a range of different colours. It also comes with 4 different types of ribbon and string to attach your gift tag to the parcel.
Finally, you'll need somewhere to store all your wrapping supplies, and there are some super sturdy and organised boxes on the market which will keep all of your paper, ribbons, bows and labels nice and protected until you need to use them.
This plastic, 22L storage box is super robust. It's clear, so you can clearly see the paper inside, plus it has trays inside to store smaller items like bows and gift tags.
This bag with handles is much easier to transport compared to the box and there's plenty of room inside to store all your gift wrapping supplies.
Step two: Wrapping your present
Once you've got all of your supplies, you're ready to start wrapping. We've popped some helpful instructional videos below, which demonstrate how to wrap a variety of differently shaped gifts with ease.
How to wrap a box present
This video is helpful in that it shows you exactly how to measure out your paper as well as teaching you how to make those edges nice and tight and secure.
How to wrap an oddly shaped present
We love this super simple way of wrapping an odd shaped present. Effectively, you're making a bag shape with your paper to make a really neat and presentable gift, complete with a bow and gift tag on top.
How to wrap a circular present
Attempting to wrap a round tin of biscuits or tub of sweets? This simple tutorial will help you do it with ease, teaching you how to use the folding in method of wrapping for a neat little parcel that requires little tape.
How to wrap a wine bottle
Out of bottle bags? We love this simple yet really affective way of wrapping a bottle up. Featuring an impressive fan on top, we'd probably prefer this to a bottle bag in future!
How to tie a ribbon around a present
Achieve a perfectly tied bow every time with this simple technique. You can use all sorts of ribbon and twine for this method.