Festive gift wrapping masterclass with Jane Means
Gift wrapping guru Jane Means has worked with luxury brands, celebrities and royalty, so who better to show us some easy tips for gorgeous-looking gifts.
Get organised
Ensure that you buy your materials early so that you have plenty of choice. A perfect tool kit would include sharp scissors, a handy tape dispenser, double sided tape, wrapping, tags and ribbon.
Year-round use
Avoid buying Christmas patterned paper so you can use it throughout the year. Choose an alternative like dots or check instead.
Tags first
Make sure that you write your tags first so you don’t forget what you’re wrapping. This is one of the most common mistakes people make when wrapping multiple presents at Christmas.
Classic style
Brown paper is a classic favourite and can be teamed with pretty much any colour ribbon or accessory. It also looks particularly festive when teamed up with foliage.
Remember to roll
If buying sheets of paper, they should always be gently rolled (with the pattern on the inside) so you don’t get unwanted creases.
Get creative
Papercraft still remains a popular trend and remnants of giftwrap can easily be transformed in to pinwheels or fans and added to gifts. Pom-poms made with wool are another favourite.
Professional touch
I always fold the edges of wrapping paper to hide rough edges and with boxes I try to disguise the seam on the edge of the box. Another good tip is to always use double-sided tape for a neat finish.
Easy additions
Ready-made bows add extra interest to your parcels when you’re short of time, or go that extra mile by adding details such as a coloured bauble, cinnamon sticks or pinecones.
Tricky shapes
Awkward shapes are best wrapped with flexible materials like tissue paper and cellophane. Fabric remnants are also a great way to create an eye-catching effect. Simply place the item in the centre and gather the fabric around it and secure with a knot.
I hope I’ve inspired you to create beautifully wrapped gifts this Christmas, if you would like more ideas do come along to one of my gift wrapping courses.
More like this
Collect Magazine
View the latest issue of Collect, our bi-annual magazine featuring a curated mix of culture, art and lifestyle, together with the latest news from Dorchester Collection hotels.
Discover more