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When the Wrapping Paper Isn't Enough

Have you heard of this brilliant packing trick?

Gift wrap can be used effectively
Gift wrap doesn't have to be thrown away if you've cut too little. Photo: Getty Images
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December 18, 2019, 3:53 pm | Read time: 2 minutes

Who hasn’t experienced this? You cut the wrapping paper by eye, only to find out while wrapping that the paper isn’t enough. A simple trick is supposed to solve this problem.

You might think the simplest solution is often the most obvious. However, reading the reactions to this wrapping video on Twitter quickly reveals the opposite. People who wrap gifts and end up with too little wrapping paper seem never to have thought of this idea.

Wrapping a Gift with Too Little Wrapping Paper

If you’ve cut too little paper or simply don’t have much left, you can easily help yourself–here’s the trick in the video.

More on the topic

How the Gift-Wrapping Trick Works

Simply turn the gift 45 degrees so the corners of the paper are in the middle of the sides. Now, just fold the paper over. This way, you use the paper more efficiently, as the gift is completely covered by all four corners of the wrapping paper at the end.

Also interesting: Where Germans Prefer to Hide Their Christmas Gifts

With this trick, you don’t have to throw away the wrapping paper if you’ve cut it too small. This helps save resources and avoid unnecessary waste. Additionally, for sustainability reasons, it’s wise to look for seals that indicate sustainable wrapping paper when purchasing. If you generally prefer not to use wrapping paper, here are some clever and stylish alternatives to conventional wrapping paper:

Wrapping with Furoshiki–3 Video Tutorials

Furoshiki is a Japanese method of wrapping gifts. You only need a square cloth, traditionally made of silk crepe. However, cotton cloths are also suitable. Typically, cloths measuring either 70 x 70 cm or 100 x 100 cm are used. For an item 20 cm long, you would need a cloth measuring 100 x 100 cm.

Note: It’s best to use cloths made from sustainable materials. Only then is Furoshiki truly more environmentally friendly than regular wrapping paper. You should also choose a cloth that the recipient can reuse.

1. Otsukai Tsutsumi

2. Kousa Tsutsumi (Modified Form)

3. Yotsu Mubusi

This article is a machine translation of the original German version of MYHOMEBOOK and has been reviewed for accuracy and quality by a native speaker. For feedback, please contact us at info@myhomebook.de.

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