How to Wrap Oddly Shaped Gifts

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: May 21, 2020 References

Wrapping items that are perfectly square is a walk in the park, but wrapping oddly-shaped items can be so frustrating! Whether you are trying to wrap a pyramid-shaped item, a sphere, or something big like a bicycle, there is a solution. You can create a custom gift bag to put your item into, use crepe paper to conform to the item’s shape, or try to disguise the exterior of your item with a box or blanket. If all else fails, you can always use a big bow!

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Making a Custom Gift Bag with Wrapping Paper

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Cut out a piece of wrapping paper big enough to cover the item. Unroll enough wrapping paper to place your item onto. Then, put your item on the paper, and bring the paper up and over the item. Cut the paper where the ends overlap by about 2 in (5.1 cm) to ensure that the bag will be big enough for your item.^{[1]
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- Check to be sure that the paper extends beyond the top and bottom edges of your item by at least 2 in (5.1 cm).^{[2]
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Selecting Gift Wrap for a Bag

Opt for a medium-weight gift wrap. Go with something strong enough to hold your gifts.

Choose opaque gift wrap. Hold the paper up to the light to make sure you cannot see through it.

Go with colors that match the occasion. Try red or green for Christmas presents, or pale yellow for a baby shower gift!
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Position the ends so they are overlapping and tape them. After you cut the paper, move the item you want to wrap aside. Take the end of the gift wrap you just cut and the edge of the paper parallel to that end, and fold them towards each other. Overlap the edges by about 1 in (2.5 cm). Then, place a few pieces of tape along this edge to secure the ends together.^{[3]
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- Double check the top and bottom edges of the paper before you tape the ends together. Make sure that they are even.
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Fold 12 in (30 cm) of the bottom of the bag up. With the taped section of the bag in the center, fold the wrapping paper up by about 12 in (30 cm). Bring the bottom of the paper up to the point 12 in (30 cm) from the bottom edge. Press your fingers along the fold to crease it.^{[4]
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- This creates the base of the bag.
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Open up the folded edge to form a diamond. Grasp the paper where the edges are taped together and at the point opposite the taped area. Move them away from each other to open up the folded portion of the gift wrap. Then, use your fingers to crease the diagonal edges and form a diamond shape.^{[5]
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- Make sure that you do not open up the base of the bag beyond the creased edge.
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Fold the tips of the triangles so they are overlapping and tape them. Next, take the top half of the diamond, 1 of the pointed tips, and fold it down to the center of the diamond. Allow the point to overlap the center by about 0.5 in (1.3 cm). Then, repeat for the bottom of the diamond. Place a few pieces of tape along the tips of the diamond and along the diagonal edges.^{[6]
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- If your item is heavy, reinforce the bag with extra tape along the bottom.
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Place your item inside the bag. Open up the bag from the top and place your item into the bag. Fold the top flap of the bag over 2 times. Then, place 2 to 3 pieces of tape along the bottom of the last fold.^{[7]
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- Add a bow, curled ribbon, or whatever other decorations you want on the outside of the bag!
- If desired, you can also punch a hole into the corner of the folded edge of the bag to string a ribbon through and add a tag.^{[8]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Using Crepe Paper Streamers

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Get a roll of streamers in the color of your choice. You can purchase streamers in party supply stores, or in the gift wrap section of grocery and drug stores. Choose the color of streamers you want.^{[9]
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- This option works best for oddly shaped items with a hard surface.
How to Choose the Color of Your Streamers

Opt for holiday-themed colors, such as red and green streamers if you want to wrap a Christmas present. Or, use white streamers if you want to wrap multiple round objects, and then tape them together in the form of a snowman!

Choose bright, bold colors, such as red, yellow, green, orange, or blue, to wrap a birthday present.

Go with pastels for a baby shower gift, such as baby blue, pale yellow, lavender, mint green, or light pink.
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Hold the end of the streamer against the item and wrap it a few times. This will secure the end of the streamer against the item. Crepe paper streamers will conform to any shape, but start by wrapping straight around the center of the item.^{[10]
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- For extra security, you may tape the end of the streamer to the item before you begin wrapping it.
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Continue to wrap the item with the crepe paper. Bring the crepe paper around and around the item moving outwards from the center. When you reach 1 end of the item, wrap back towards the center and towards the other end of the item.^{[11]
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- Make sure that the edges of the crepe paper overlap slightly to avoid visible parts of the item.
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Tape the end to secure the streamer. When you have completely covered the item in crepe paper, place a piece of tape to secure the end to the item. Cover the tape up with a tag or a bow, if desired.^{[12]
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- If you have multiple small items to wrap, wrap each 1 with crepe paper and then place the items into a basket or gift bag to keep them all together.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Trying Creative Ways to Wrap the Item

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Put the item into a box or a tube and then wrap it as usual. Cover the item in a layer of newspaper or bubble wrap if it is fragile, and then place it into a box or tube. Tape the box or tube closed, and then wrap it as you normally would.^{[13]
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- This is a good option if you have an item that has sharp edges or that has a distinct shape. Putting it into a box or tube will help to ensure that the item stays a secret until the recipient opens their gift.
- You may need a big box for the item. Wrapping a big box can be a challenge, and you'll also need to make sure you have extra wrapping paper and tape.
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Drape a blanket or tablecloth over the item. If you have a large item that you do not have the time or resources to wrap, then covering it with a blanket or tablecloth is an easy solution. Choose a festive or colorful blanket or tablecloth that will completely cover the item. Place the blanket or tablecloth over the item and tuck it in at the bottom to ensure that the item is hidden.^{[14]
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- When you are ready to give the gift, tell the recipient to remove the blanket to open their gift!
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Put a big bow on the item. For an item that is far too large to wrap, cover or disguise, put a big bow on it! You can get or make a giant bow and place it on the gift. Then, have the person cover their eyes while you lead them to the item. When they open their eyes, the bow will let them know that the item is a present!
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String lights all over the item. This won’t conceal the item, but it is a festive way to dress up an oddly-shaped gift! Choose multicolor or solid color lights and wrap them all over the item. Plug in the lights just before you give the gift.^{[15]
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- For example, you could wrap lights all over a bike or scooter to make it look festive.
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Put the gift inside of another item. You can use a different item to conceal something before you wrap it. Or, use a box to conceal the shape of the item before you wrap it.
- For example, if you want to give someone a piece of jewelry, and you don’t have a box for it, then get a jewelry box and put the item inside of it. Wrap the jewelry box and give it to the person. They will be totally surprised to find a piece of jewelry in the box already!
Tip: If you have lots of small oddly shaped gifts to give someone, try putting them into a gift basket! Wrap each item individually and then put a bow on the basket to dress it up even more.