How to Wrap with Glitter Paper

Co-authored by Hannah Madden

Last Updated: May 27, 2020 References Tested

Glitter paper is a fun way to add pizazz and bling to your presents. However, the one drawback of glitter paper is that glitter and tape act like 2 opposing magnets - they just don’t stick together. Fortunately, there are a few ways you can manipulate your glitter paper around a present to dazzle your family around the holidays.

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Wrapping the Present

1
Cut your glitter paper about twice the size of your present. Lay your glitter paper flat and measure how much you’ll need by folding it over the top of your present. Leave about 2 inches (5.1 cm) of extra paper on the ends, then use sharp scissors to cut out your stretch of paper.^{[1]
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Tip: Your present will be much easier to wrap if you put it in a box first. This will give it a uniform shape that’s easy to fold paper over.
2
Fold your glitter paper in half from corner to corner, then cut the excess. Grab 1 corner of your glitter paper and fold it over to the corner across from it to make a triangle shape. Use scissors to cut off the strip of paper sticking out from the end of the triangle. You’ll end up with your glitter paper in a perfect square once you unfold it.^{[2]
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- Try to make your cut as straight as possible so your glitter paper is in an even square.
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3
Place the present in the center of the glitter paper. Position your glitter paper so that it’s in a diamond in front of you with the glitter part face down. Then, put your present in the middle of the paper so you can start to wrap it up.^{[3]
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- You can adjust the present later, so don’t worry if it isn’t perfectly centered.
4
Wrap the top corner of paper over the present. Keep the present facing you and bring the top corner of the glitter paper over the present. Make sure the corner of the paper wraps over the bottom edge of the present.^{[4]
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- Smooth down any wrinkles in the paper so that it lays flat over your present. This will make it easier to work with.
5
Pull the right corner of the paper over the right side of the present. Keep one hand on top of the present to hold the paper down, and use the other hand to pull the right side of the glitter paper over the right side of the present. As you pull, use your middle finger to push the paper towards the present and guide it up over the side.^{[5]
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- If you’re having trouble, crease the edges of the paper before you start folding.
6
Grab the left corner of the paper and pull it over the left side of the present. Now, you can do the same thing to the other side. Keep one hand over the top of the present and use your left hand to pull the left side over the present, using your middle finger to push inwards and create a fold.^{[6]
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7
Fold the rest of the paper on top of the present. Use one hand to hold the top of the present and use your other hand to guide the remaining flap of paper up and over the top of the present. Smooth the paper down so that it lays flat on top of the present.^{[7]
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- This can be a little hard to do by yourself, so ask a friend for help if you need to.
8
Tuck the edge of the paper underneath the folds. Smooth out the top of the paper on your present and grab the small triangle of paper hanging off it. Tuck the triangle up and underneath the folds of paper on top to secure it.^{[8]
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Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Securing the Paper

1
Wrap a ribbon around the edges for a cute look. Once your glitter paper is around your present, lay a ribbon or a piece of twine underneath the present. Tie the loose ends together on top of the present in a large bow to add a cute decoration with a purpose on your present.^{[9]
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- You can do this after you’ve used the no tape wrapping method if your gift doesn’t look very secure.
2
Glue down the edges for a more secure present. Wrap your present in glitter paper like you normally would. Lift 1 flap of paper up and add a pea-sized dot of liquid glue on any areas where the paper overlaps, like the front and sides. Hold the paper together for about 1 minute to let the glue dry.^{[10]
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- You can use a paint brush to add the glue if it makes wrapping your present easier.
3
Add glitter to plain wrapping paper with glue for an easy solution. If you really can’t hold down your glitter wrapping paper and you’d like to switch to something else, wrap your present in plain wrapping paper and then draw a design in glue on the top. Then, pour some glitter on it and wait for the glue to dry to add your own glitter design to your presents.^{[11]
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- You can also cover all of your wrapping paper in glitter and glue if you want full coverage.
Tip: Try drawing a balloon design in glitter for a birthday present or a candy cane or a Christmas tree for a Christmas gift.