My love for paper is pretty intense, and I could probably be happy for an unreasonably large amount of time surrounded by cardstock and stationery. But no matter how strong that love might be, watching an hour’s worth of bow-making get crunched and smooshed by way of suitcase, mail or toddler hands is not my idea of a good time. It’s pretty, yes, but sometimes you have to cut your losses and get creative, if anything for the sake of your own sanity.
I know I said yesterday’s wrapping was the easiest of the week, but this one is nearly tied. The idea behind it is simple: uncrunchable, unsmooshable wrapping, complete with a bow. Decorative craft tape (Washi is my favorite brand) is so, so handy for projects like this — and loads of things, really — and is incredibly easy to work with. The tape also happens to be innately cute, so only a touch of cleverness need be involved on your end. By fashioning a couple different tape patterns into the shape of a simple ribbon, you’re left with a festive gift box that’s still flat, smooth and in little danger of travel-induced mangling. No broken bows! No last-minute fixes! Whew! Sometimes stress free is the way to be.
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What you’ll need:
• two patterns of decorative craft tape (Available at most craft stores. Target, too!)
• gift box
• white or brown craft paper for wrapping (optional)
How you do it:
If you’re wrapping your gift box with separate craft paper, go ahead and do that first. Then using the first pattern of craft tape, wrap a straight piece around the gift box horizontally and another one vertically (they will form a sort of plus sign shape).
Take your second pattern of craft tape, and fashion a bow shape on top of the straight pieces you already put down. Because you’re working with straight edges, it’s easiest to make two small triangles that meet at points in the middle and then add two short straight pieces coming from the center (the ribbon overhang, per se).
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XO,
Katrina
packaging specialist says
Nice! Also the font you used for comments is amazing!
Katrina Tauchen says
Thanks! The scripty font is MTF Cupcake, and the sans serif font is Ostrich Sans Rounded. 🙂
packaging specialist says
Thank you for infos!
Clarice says
What a clever idea! I love the bow as well. It’s fun and you can easily personalize different packages! If I were to make this, I would use the red and white polka dotted washi tape for the bow! I happen to be a HUGE fan of red polka dotted bows! I practically wear one everyday!
Katrina Tauchen says
Woo hoo! I hope you try it out!