5 Gift-Wrapping Mistakes to Avoid
While it might seem like a lot of fuss, gift wrapping is an art form. It’s also the perfect opportunity to add a personal touch, making your gift even more special.
But if you’re not careful, all those ribbons and bows can quickly become overwhelming — and you may even end up wrapping something incorrectly.
Here are some common gift-wrapping mistakes to avoid.
1. There isn’t a designated gift-wrapping area
The gift-wrapping process should be done in a designated area in your apartment so that you can set up your supplies and get everything you need within easy reach.
This will help to reduce the risk of losing things or forgetting something important before you start wrapping as well as make the whole process more efficient when the time comes to actually wrap gifts.
You might choose to create a dedicated space for this purpose. If not, there are plenty of places where you can easily set up shop for packaging all those presents!
For example, if there’s room on top of your dresser or nightstand, use that as your “gift-wrapping station.”
Or maybe there’s an empty corner shelf in your closet where things won’t fall off or tip over too easily — that might work nicely too!
2. You forgot to buy supplies before starting
It’s advisable to buy all the supplies you need before starting. It’ll save time and frustration, plus it’s easier to wrap gifts if you have an area dedicated to them.
You may want a table or bench where you can spread out your wrapping supplies so they’re easy to access.
You should also always check the dimensions of the box before wrapping something inside of it, which is another thing that can be easily overlooked when gift wrapping in a rush.
Of course, you may also choose to deliver your gift to make things more convenient.
3. You only use one scissor
Using a single pair of scissors for multiple tasks is one of the most common mistakes people make when wrapping gifts.
It’s easy to understand why. You may want to cut paper and ribbon quickly, so it’s tempting to just use one pair and get it over with.
However, using two pairs will save you time in the long run and prevent damage to your gift-wrapping supplies.
When you use one particularly dull scissor, you spend a lot of time cutting rather than getting crisp cuts. You can avoid this by having another one as a backup.
Even if they are sharp at the start, it’s easy for your scissors to be covered in glitters and foil accents.
It helps to have two pairs nearby, one for paper and one for ribbon, so that you can easily switch.
You should also keep both sets tucked away safely out of reach from children (or pets) since sharp objects are dangerous for them to play with. They might not understand how much damage they can do if they use it without supervision!
4. You purchase the wrong wrapping paper
Your paper should complement the gift and show you care. It’s one of the first things people see when they open your gift, so choose wisely.
If it’s too small, it will look like you didn’t know how to wrap a present properly or worse, like you were in such a hurry that you just threw on whatever was closest.
On the other hand, if it’s too big, it will look unbalanced and awkward. Plus, there may be excess left over when everything is said and done!
Also, use paper that isn’t too thin or thick for folding or writing on.
Thin sheets are hard to fold neatly since they can tear easily. Thick ones are just plain difficult because they don’t fold easily at all without creasing along their folds first (which means more work later).
Writing on thin sheets means having to write very slowly lest one accidentally smudge ink across areas where we don’t intend ink to go — making us look like we’re not careful enough about our workmanship either!
5. You use gift boxes that are too large
You may be the most organized person in the world, but when you’re wrapping a gift and there’s a box that’s just slightly too large, it’s easy to put it aside and not worry about it.
After all, who wants to bother with extra work? But here’s why that habit can backfire.
If you leave something too roomy for the gift, then your present may appear underwhelming when you give it out; they’d expect something in a bigger size.
The recipient will wonder why they received an oversized box filled with tissue paper and ribbons instead of something nice and carefully wrapped.
In order to know if your gift box is too large, measure it.
To make sure your package is sized correctly from start to finish, measure its length, depth (the height of the item inside), and width.
You’ll also want to take note of whether or not this particular item has any curves or edges that might make measuring difficult.
Once you have those numbers written down somewhere visible, you’re ready to go shopping for gift wrapping supplies at any store near your apartment or workplace.
Planning ahead is key to having a good gift-wrapping experience, and you can avoid many of these mistakes by making sure you have everything you need when it’s time to wrap.
Remember that if you’re planning on giving a present that has already been wrapped, make sure the materials are appropriate for your situation.
Also, you may add other gifts like flowers or even cake to make your gift even more memorable!
Gift Ideas
Are you thinking of gifts for newlyweds? Here are possible gift ideas for their brand new home or property (these don’t even need to be gift-wrapped!).