Megan Hobby Kauffman
Artist, maker, and professional joy-bringer. From my North Carolina studio, Mayhen Press, I whip up colorful, story-filled designs that make everyday life a little brighter (and a lot more fun).
Fall always makes me think about gifting. Maybe it’s the cooler days that make me pull inward a bit and think even more than usual about all my near and dear. Creating meaningful connections and simple special times just lights me up and the fall is the perfect backdrop for cozy, fun and connection!
I often find myself without the perfect sized box to wrap a gift in when I’m pulling together a last minute surprise. Equally as much - since I live distant from many of my friends and family - I need a beautiful gift wrap that can go in the mail easily. This little gift bag with ribbon ties does the trick on both counts!
I’ve been using this wrapping trick for several years now and I always get complements from my recipient. I’ve found that awkward objects are easy to wrap with this little gift bag as well. I’ve even used it to wrap stuffed animals for my children’s birthdays! For these more awkward objects just be sure to leave plenty of extra room on the ends when you cut your paper. If you do better with video instructions I've made a tutorial video for this project here , or you can scroll to the end of this post to watch it.
I recommend a wired ribbon if you prefer more structure to the bows or knots you tie for the ends. If you will be putting the package in the mail then use a cord or tie that can get squashed without it mattering too much.
For this project you’ll need:
- Scissors
- Heavy Weight Wrapping Paper
- Tape
- Hole Punch
- Ribbon or Cord
- Ruler or Straight Edge (Optional)
- A special surprise for someone!
Process:
1. Lay your gift item on your chosen wrapping paper and cut a piece that can wrap around your chosen item. Be sure to leave several inches of room (more if you have a bulky item) at the ends so you can fold the paper and tie your ribbons. A heavier weight wrapping paper works best for this. The thinner papers tend to wrinkle and crumple. I used the Chamomile Stripe and the Thistle Flower patterned paper from the Mayhen Press shop.
2. Set your gift aside. Fold the paper so it overlaps by half an inch or so and crease the edges. Tape the seam so it stays in place.
3. Fold each of the four corners over and crease. Try your best to make them even. I fold one corner and then hold my ruler along the bottom edge and fold the other corner down to meet it. You can definitely just eyeball it though if you don’t have a straight edge handy.
4. Fold each end down, creasing at the bottom of the folded corners.
5. Use your hole punch to punch two holes that are roughly the same distance from either edge. Do the same to the other end of the wrapping.
6. Measure out two lengths of ribbon (one for each end) that are long enough to thread through the two holes and tie into a bow or pretty knot.
7. Thread one length of ribbon through the two holes on one end being sure that the loose ends come out on top of the package so that when you tie your bow it won’t be on the side of the package with the seam.
8. Slip your gift into the package before tying the other ribbon through the second end of the package.
9. Add a name tag if you wish and you are ready to gift!
Watch the tutorial video!
I’d love to see how your packages turn out! You can tag
@mayhen_press on Instagram
and show me! Once you get this style of wrapping down it’s such an easy and quick way to make a gift look great.
Happy gifting!
