Wrapping something neatly
Design & Technology · Early Years · The School
Measuring first
Before you cut any paper, wrap it round the object loosely. Do not cut yet. Mark roughly how much you need. Leave a bit extra for folding. Cutting first, before you measure, almost always leaves you with too much or too little. This one step saves paper. It also saves time later.
Folding a neat corner
At each corner, fold the paper flat against the side. Then fold the point down over the top. That makes a crisp fold, not a lump. Press each fold flat with your fingers as you go. A slow, careful fold beats a fast, messy one every time.
Too much paper causes bumps
Extra paper has to go somewhere. It bunches up into lumps under the wrapping. The right amount, cut to size first, lies flat. It looks far neater. It also uses far less tape. More paper does not make a better wrap. It just makes more work.
Wrap a small box in paper cut far too big. Fold it however it happens to go. It bulges at the corners. It needs lots of tape. The tape holds the extra paper down. Now measure a second box the right way first. Cut the paper close to size. Leave just a bit extra to fold. Fold each corner flat and crisp. The second box looks neat. It lies flat. It uses far less tape. Same box, same roll of paper. The only real change was measuring before cutting.