Everything gets hectic around the holidays, so it can be especially nice to hand off the task of gift wrapping to those who do it best. At every William Sonoma store there are pro gift wrappers at the ready—each one trained with our exacting step-by-step technique on how to achieve the perfectly wrapped gift. Our editors went behind-the-scenes with our gift-wrappers and discovered the rules they follow to make sure every present is up to Williams-Sonoma standards, from precise folds to perfect ribbons.
Watch the video below for a visual tutorial and follow our tips for the perfect Williams Sonoma-style gift wrap method:
Tips for the Perfect Gift Wrap
1. Measure twice, cut once.
There’s nothing more frustrating than folding wrapping paper around a gift only to find you’re about an inch short. In the Williams-Sonoma gift wrap rooms, wrappers use the gold pineapples on our signature red wrapping paper as a graphic guide so there are no mistakes (twelve pineapples for a large box, six for a small). At home, the best way to measure without creasing the paper is to wrap some string or twine around the box and use that length as a guide for cutting wrapping paper.
2. Double-sided tape is your best friend.
Williams-Sonoma gift wrappers use double-sided tape in nearly every step of the process. First, tape the edge of the wrapping paper directly to the present. This allows you to pull it taut as you wrap and avoid bubbles or wrinkles. Then, use double-sided tape on the sides of the gift to secure the classic envelope-style fold from underneath so you don’t have a bit of tape showing.
3. Don’t let cut edges show.
If you want to really wrap like a pro, aim to hide every cut edge. It sounds like extra credit, but it really makes a difference—and it’s not that difficult. Our wrappers tuck away the cut edges by creating a half-inch fold anywhere they cut the wrapping paper, from the bottom seam to the top layer of the envelope fold on the sides. Insider tip: run the side of a credit card along the fold to keep it sharp and secure.
4. Don’t forget the details.
The signature Williams-Sonoma ribbon is a lustrous grosgrain that comes in red, green or cream. We like grosgrain because it’s heavy enough to feel luxe, thick enough to be durable and stiff enough to hold a gorgeous bow or rest secured under a Williams Sonoma round sticker.