Who doesn’t love shopping for Christmas gifts?
Holding your breath as you watch your giftee’s expression turn from curiosity to joy as they open your carefully chosen present. But sometimes, getting everything looking perfectly festive under the tree can take more time than you bargained for – especially when it comes to wrapping shoes and slippers.
Luckily, we’re here to help with our beginner’s guide, which shares how to wrap a shoebox with or without a lid, for an exciting Christmas morning. We share step-by-step methods and expert tips to help cut wrapping time in half – think less Rowan Atkinson in ‘Love Actually’ and more Santa’s elves on Christmas Eve.
So, gather your gifts, grab some fizz and blast some Bublé tunes (it’d be rude not to!). Let’s get crafty and create a professionally wrapped look at home.
Everything you need:
- A shoebox!
- Your chosen wrapping paper (thicker paper works best)
- Tape (double-sided is great for a seamless finish) or a glue stick
- Scissors
How to wrap a shoebox & lid individually
With a solid surface to work on as well as straight edges, a shoebox is the best place to begin if you’re wanting to take your wrapping skills to the next level. A great way to make presents look extra fancy and ensure the lucky recipient can re-use boxes next year is to wrap lids and boxes separately. Here’s how…
Step 1
Lay the box lid on top of the wrapping paper (right side down) with enough paper on each side to fold back inside the lid – a couple of inches should do it.
Step 2
Fold the wrapping paper down the long sides of the box up and over the edges, and attach with tape on the inside of the lid.
Step 3
Next, fold both ends of the shorter sides into the centre like a regular present, creating a neatly creased triangular flap. Flip this over the edge of the lid and secure it thoroughly with tape on the inside.
Step 4
Wrap the main box in the same way, folding the longer sides up and over before securing them in place tightly with tape or glue. For the sides, fold the two free ends of the paper into the middle and make a crease at the base of the box, before neatly creasing the two diagonal sides to make a triangular flap. Fold this shape up and stick in place.
When you’re finished, simply add your shoes and place the lid back onto the box for a completed gift-wrapped look.
How to wrap a shoebox with an attached lid
Don’t feel intimidated by a flip-lid shoebox. It may feel like an impossible task, but we’re here to talk you through the steps of how to wrap this type of shoebox with wrapping paper – though tissue paper or even fabric can do a great job too!
Step 1
Lay your wrapping paper pattern side down onto a large, flat surface. Place your shoebox on top of the paper facing you with the lid open. Make sure you have enough paper to fold up the sides of your box (including while the lid is open) – we’d suggest at least four to five inches all the way around for a standard box.
Step 2
Lift the flap of paper closest to you and wrap up and over the lip of the box, securing it in place using double-sided tape or glue.
Step 3
Flip the box 180 degrees and tip up the shoebox so the open lid is now flat to the table surface. Do the same thing, folding the wrapping paper up and over the lid of the box, making sure to pull it tightly and stick it down.
Step 4
Fold the now-raised paper flat around the lid sides and make two creases: one straight up where the lid meets the table, and the other diagonally from the point of the lid away from you.
Step 5
Make a horizontal cut in the paper close to where the lid bends. Fold this triangular piece over the sides and neatly tape inside. Repeat for both sides of the lid.
Step 6
Now, you can wrap the larger sides of the box just as you would an ordinary present!
Fold the two free ends of the paper into the middle of one side and secure them in place. Crease a horizontal line at the base of the box and flatten both sides of the triangular flap. Pull this flap of paper up the side of the box and stick it down. Repeat for the other end of the box.
Step 7
For any small gaps where your shoebox peeks through, cut out some scraps of your wrapping paper and patch them up neatly.
How to wrap slippers & shoes without a box
No box? No problem. It’s one thing to learn how to wrap a shoebox with an attached lid, but what about slippers and shoes that come loose without a box? When you’re dealing with an awkward shape, it can be a little trickier to get right. But with a few simple tips and tricks, you’ll have a professionally wrapped present in no time.
Handy tip: Use tissue paper instead of traditional wrapping paper. This instantly rejects the idea that the wrap needs to be perfect and creates a more unique-looking gift.
- Face your shoes or slippers inwards towards each other, leaving the soles facing outwards. Lay them on top of your chosen tissue paper.
- Fold both sides of the tissue into the centre and secure down the centre seam with tape.
- Head to one end of the gift. Create a crease with your fingertips, folding first the left corner of the tissue into the centre and then the right to create an angular flap.
- Fold this flap up into the centre and secure it with tape. Repeat for the other side, then flip your present over and it’s a smooth, perfectly imperfect gift wrap.
You can also try the same technique using fabric and fabric glue for a totally one-of-a-kind finish.
Extra Christmas wrapping tips
- If you want your Christmas gifts to look extra-special this year, try adding some festive decorations such as ribbon, bows, stickers, gift tags, dried flowers or even small tree ornaments if you’re really pushing the boat out.
- If the wrapping doesn’t go quite your way or you simply haven’t got the time (we’re looking at you, Christmas Eve shoppers!), have a gift bag on standby and stuff the top with tissue paper for extra flair. No one will know.
With your Christmas wrapping skills now in the bag (or box!), all you need to do is start shopping for gifts to wrap. Have you started on your Christmas shopping yet? If you’re feeling overwhelmed, shoes and slippers make great presents for the whole family.
Shop online today for women’s, men’s and kids’ footwear at affordable prices, or head to your nearest Wynsors store to select your gifts in person.
