How to Wrap a Basic Gift Box (or Any Square or Rectangular Item)

1. Measure the box: The key to a neat wrapping job is to use only as much paper as you need. Too little paper won’t cover the gift completely, and too much paper will make the wrapping look loose and messy. The most accurate way to determine the amount of paper that you need is to first measure all three dimensions (length, width, and height) of the box. Use a tape measure, ruler, or yardstick to make these measurements.
    
   
2. Calculate the girth of the box: The girth of the box—the distance around its entire mass—equals twice the width of the box plus twice the height. So if your box is 10" wide and 2" high, the girth would be 24", as follows:
    
   
3. Measure and cut the paper: The width of paper that you need to cover your box is roughly equal to the girth of your box plus 2". The length of paper that you need is roughly equal to the length of the box plus twice its height. Once you’ve figured out the measurements, use a tape measure, ruler, or yardstick and a pen to mark these dimensions on the reverse side of the wrapping paper. Cut along those markings with sharp scissors or a paper cutter.
    
   
    
   
4. Position the box: Spread out the paper face down on your wrapping area. It’s best to use a hard, flat surface, such as a desk or table, as your wrapping surface. Place the box top down onto the paper and line up the left side of the box with the left edge of the paper. Center the box from top to bottom. In the example package shown here, there will be a 2" overlap, extending from both the top and bottom of the box.
    
   
5. Fold the left edge of the paper onto the box: Pull the left edge of the paper up and around the left side of the box and up onto the top of the box, leaving about 1/2" of overlap. Fold the overlapping portion of the paper onto the top of the box and use your left thumb and forefinger to form a crease in the paper along the edge where the left side meets the top of the box. Use the fingers of your right hand to anchor the paper as you form the crease.
    
   
6. Attach the left edge of the paper to the box: Use 1" pieces of double-sided tape to attach the paper to the box. Place the pieces of tape a few inches apart along the entire length of the box. Position the left edge of the paper first, then apply the tape on top of the paper. An average-sized box (12" long or so) requires three or four pieces of tape.
    
   
7. Attach the right edge of the paper to the box: Pull the right edge of the paper up and over the top of the box and attach it to the box using the pieces of double-sided tape that you applied in step 6. You may have an inch or so of length overlap, which you can either fold neatly under or trim. The entire girth of the box should now be covered in wrapping paper, with a width overlap of about 2".
    
   
8. Fold in the overlap from the top and bottom edges: Holding the paper on the left and right sides, use each of your thumbs to push in the left and right sides of the overlap on the side of the box closest to you. When you push in the overlap, a triangular flap will form in each corner. Then, use your thumb and forefinger to crease the paper along the left and right edges of the box. Repeat this step on the overlapping paper on the opposite side of the gift, and note that this time you’ll need to fold the top right corner flap separately.
    
   
9. Crease the top and bottom edges: Use your thumb and forefinger to crease the paper along the two top edges and the two bottom edges that run the width of the box.
    
   
10. Hem the flaps: Fold in the last 1/2" or so of each of the four flaps to make a hem. The hem should be just wide enough that the two flaps on each side of the box meet in the middle of their respective sides when folded down. If the two flaps don’t meet perfectly in the middle, it’s fine for one flap to overlap the other.
     
    
11. Apply tape to the hems: Place a small, thin strip of double-sided tape on the back side (the side that will press against the box) of each of the four hems you made in step 10. You may need to slice the tape strips with scissors before applying if their regular width will be too wide to fit neatly onto the hems.
     
    
12. Tape down the hemmed flaps: Press down each of the four hemmed and taped flaps onto the box to complete the job.