| How to Celebrate Christmas Posted: 25 Dec 2019 12:00 AM PST Christmas is a holiday filled with good cheer, joyful decorations, and time with family and friends. Whether you are celebrating a secular or religious Christmas, it is a day for fun, love, and happiness. To celebrate Christmas, decorate your home and do things to get yourself in the spirit. Enjoy Christmas traditions with your family and take time to give back to others. [Edit]Decorating for Christmas - Put up a Christmas tree and decorate it. You can choose between a live tree or an artificial one. Then, string lights on the tree by moving from the bottom up, wrapping the lights around each branch. Add garlands to the tree, such as ones made of tinsel, popcorn, or cranberries, by wrapping them around and around the tree. Put your favorite ornaments on the tree, such as Christmas balls, stars, or really any small trinket. To finish the tree, place a tree topper at the tip, such as an angel or star.[1]
- You can decorate your tree with family heirloom ornaments or try something new by decorating a tree with Star Trek or superhero-themed ornaments, little trains, or Disney characters, for example.
- Ornaments can be homemade or store-bought. You can even use things like candy canes!
- Bringing evergreens into the house during winter actually predates the Christmas holiday. It was a way to bring life into the house. Decorating an evergreen tree as a Christmas tradition began in Germany in the 16th century.
- Hang stockings over the mantle. Traditionally, kids would hang their actual socks (stockings) over the mantle and St. Nickolas would fill them with coins, foods, or other small trinkets. Now, stockings tend to be decorative, but you still hang them over the mantle for Santa to leave toys and other small gifts in. If you don't have a mantle, hang them off of your television console, on a stair railing, or anywhere that's near your Christmas tree.[2]
- The stockings were hung over the mantle because that's where they'd put them to dry after a wet winter's day.
- Brighten your home with Christmas lights. Try lining the roof of your house with lights or threading them through bushes or around your trees. Hang them up around your porch or make a boundary around your yard. Inside, try hanging them on the mantle, across bookshelves, or along the length of a wall near the ceiling.[3]
- You could also wrap them around a handrail on your stairs along with some fake evergreen garland.
- Add a nativity scene to focus on a religious Christmas. Christmas is a celebration of Jesus' birth, so nativity scenes are traditional. Nativity scenes depict the birth of Jesus, including Mary, Joseph, the 3 wise men, shepherds, and all the animals that were in attendance. Baby Jesus is placed in a manager. You can place small ones on your mantle or in other areas of your home, or you can set up a life-size one outside.[4]
- Put out poinsettias, evergreens, and mistletoe. These plants have come to be associated with Christmas over the years, so you can usually find them all over at Christmas time. Set out poinsettias in pots around your house, and you'll have an easy, festive Christmas decoration. You can also put up an evergreen wreath or decorate with fake evergreen garlands in your home.[5]
- Mistletoe is traditionally hung in doorways. If 2 people are caught under it, they're supposed to kiss! Mistletoe also predates the Christmas holiday, but it has long been associated with it.[6]
- Keep in mind that these plants can be poisonous for pets, so keep them out of reach!
- Make decorations to put around your home. You don't have to spend a lot of money to decorate your home for Christmas. Try making paper snowflakes, creating paper chains out red and green paper, or stringing garlands out of popcorn and cranberries. You can also collect pine cones and evergreen branches to place around your home. Oranges are often associated with Christmas, so place some in a bowl. You can even stud them with cloves to make pomanders.[7]
- You can also spray paint regular tree branches with gold, silver, or sparkly paint, then place them in vases.
- Candles are also used commonly for Christmas decorations.
- The traditional Christmas colors are green and red, but you can also use white, gold, and silver, or really any colors you want to make your home festive.
- You can also make ornaments out of things you have around the house, such as paper or fabric.
[Edit]Getting into the Holiday Spirit - Put up an advent calendar to count down to Christmas. An advent calendar is made up of 25 spaces that lead up to Christmas Day. Each day, you open the door, space, or present corresponding to the day. Many advent calendars have small treats in them, such as pieces of chocolate, small toys, or stickers, one for each day. Others may have quotes or sayings in them to get you in the holiday spirit.[8]
- While advent calendars were traditionally for kids, you can find many adult-themed calendars these days, such as ones with small bottles of wine.
- Turn up the Christmas music to put you in a festive mood. Whether you like traditional Christmas carols or hymns or more contemporary Christmas music, Christmas songs are often ubiquitous this time of year. Usually, all you need to do is tune into a local radio station to find some Christmas tunes![9]
- If you don't have a local radio station playing Christmas songs, find songs online. You can use streaming music services to listen to them.
- Watch classic Christmas movies to learn the meaning of Christmas. Classic Christmas movies are sure to put you in the Christmas spirit. They range from fun and silly to more serious, but most of them focus on the meaning of Christmas, either in a secular or religious sense.[10]
- For some silly, fun movies, try Elf, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, or even White Christmas or "Miracle on 34th Street."
- For some more serious movies, opt for one of the many versions of A Christmas Carol or try It's a Wonderful Life.
- Read Christmas stories with your family to enjoy quality time with each other. Plenty of stories focus on Christmas and spending time reading them with your family is a great way to get in a festive mood. Try reading a little bit of a longer story each night, for instance.[11]
- Of course, you can go right to the source and read the story of Christmas in the Bible.
- You could try classic stories, such as Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol or fun children's stories and poems, such as How the Grinch Stole Christmas or 'Twas the Night before Christmas.
- Visit outdoor displays of Christmas lights and decorations. If your country celebrates Christmas, then you'll likely find plenty of places to see Christmas lights and decorations. Many towns put together light displays, but even if yours doesn't, try driving or walking through neighborhoods to see what individuals put up.[12]
- Top off the evening with some hot chocolate and marshmallows!
- Reflect on the reason for Christmas. If you're not sure what Christmas means or you're rusty on the background, do some research. In the Bible, you can find the Christmas story in Luke chapters 1 and 2 and Matthew chapters 1 and 2.[13] Consider reading these chapters aloud as part of your family's holiday.
- You could also look up videos about the birth of Jesus. You'll find many that depict the nativity with scripture as the primary text.
- Attend a Christmas Eve candlelight service. Many local churches will have candlelight services on Christmas Eve, usually late at night (around 11 p.m.), that mainly consist of a short sermon, scripture readings about the birth of Jesus, and Christmas hymns. Don't worry if you've never been before. Churches expect visitors, especially on special days like Christmas Eve.
- Ask your friends if they know of any nearby services or if you can attend one with them.
[Edit]Enjoying Christmas Traditions - Go Christmas caroling. Christmas caroling is when you go to other people's homes and sing them Christmas songs. You can also sing carols at your home or go to a senior living center to sing for them. All you need to do is learn some Christmas songs and gather some friends.[14]
- For song ideas, try ones like "Frosty the Snowman," "Holly, Jolly Christmas," "Silver Bells," "Walking in a Winter Wonderland," "Jingle Bells," "The Little Drummer Boy," "Let it Snow," or "It's Beginning to Look a lot Like Christmas."
- Help young children believe in Santa. Kids usually stop believing in Santa around age eight, but younger kids will love the story of Santa. Explain who Santa is and how he is going to come visit your home on Christmas Eve.
- To complete the tradition, have them leave cookies and milk out for Santa on Christmas Eve. When they are asleep, drink the milk and eat the cookies, leaving some crumbs as evidence.[15]
- Have your kids leave carrots out for the reindeer and when they're asleep, nibble on the carrots, leaving gnawed pieces behind.
- Make Christmas cookies and other holiday baked goods. One classic Christmas cookie is sugar cookies cut into Christmas shapes, such as candy canes, snowmen, stars, and gingerbread men. Then, you can decorate them with icing and sprinkles. Other fun options include gingerbread men, molasses cookies, and thumbprint cookies.[16]
- You can also make yule logs, fruit cakes, or an apple pie.
- Mincemeat pie is also traditional in many countries.
- Making decorative houses out of gingerbread, icing, and candy is also a tradition![17]
- Enjoy Christmas dinner with your friends and family. Traditional Christmas foods include things like turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, stuffing, macaroni and cheese, green bean casserole, and rolls. However, more important then the food is gathering together with your friends and family to eat.[18]
- If you're looking for festive drinks, try drinking custard, eggnog, or mulled wine.
- Don't forget to include some traditional desserts!
- Don't be afraid to invite more than just your family! Think about people you know who may be alone on Christmas and ask them to come!
[Edit]Giving to Others - Give presents to friends, family, and people in need. Giving Christmas presents is a tradition this time of year. Kids usually get toys from "Santa" on Christmas Day, but it's also customary to give gifts to others you love. Presents don't have to be big or expensive. Even giving a chocolate bar, baked goods, or small handmade gifts is welcome.[19]
- It's also a good time of year to offer gifts to those in need. For instance, you can give toys to toy drives for families who are down on their luck or send packages to troops overseas.
- For a bit of fun, try opening 1 gift on Christmas Eve. Books or pajamas make good Christmas Eve gifts.
- However, while gift-giving is fun, there's no reason to go into debt for it. Make sure you spend only what you can afford.[20]
- Mail cards to friends, family, and those in need. Sending Christmas cards is a tradition this time of year, and it's a way to let people know you care. Include a little note about how you're thinking of the person and wish them well.[21]
- You can also send Christmas cards to nursing homes or troops overseas to let them know they're remembered at Christmas.
- Donate to your favorite charity. Charity is a hallmark of Christmas, and one way you can participate in that is to pick a charity to give money to. Some common ones that people give to this time of year include food banks, homeless shelters, and other charities that serve those who are down on their luck.[22]
- You won't have to look hard to find someplace to give, as many charities put up donation centers and boxes this time of year.
- You could also buy groceries anonymously for a family you know is struggling.
- Give your time to charity and neighbors to spread Christmas cheer. You don't have to give money to help out this time of year. Offer to hang Christmas decorations for a neighbor who can't do it or send them baked goods. Collect food, blankets, coats, or other supplies for local charities, or volunteer at a homeless shelter or soup kitchen on Christmas Day.[23]
- If you want to keep Christmas going throughout the year, try volunteering your time once a week!
[Edit]wikiHow Holiday Cookbook
- Be aware that some people can find Christmas a hard time, especially if a loved one is ill, there are family problems, or a loved one has died. Do your best to be respectful of their grief.
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Reuse a Canvas Posted: 24 Dec 2019 04:00 PM PST Canvas is one of the most popular painting mediums since it has a flexible and forgiving surface. If you have a painted canvas and want to reuse it for a different painting, there are easy ways you can prime it to use again. When a canvas is originally painted with acrylics, then you can soak it in rubbing alcohol to lift as much paint before you prime the surface. For a canvas that was originally painted in oils, you'll have to scrape and sand the paint to remove it. If you want a fresh, clean surface to work on, then you can always flip the canvas over to the unused side to paint on it. Once you're finished, you can start painting again! [Edit]Painting over Acrylic on Canvas - Sand the painting with 120-grit sandpaper to remove any texture. Apply firm pressure to the canvas, but not so much that you tear through the canvas. Work in circular motions around the painted areas that have a raised or bumpy texture. Keep rubbing them with the sandpaper until they are level with the rest of the canvas' surface.[1]
- You don't need to sand the canvas if it doesn't have any raised textures.
- If you don't sand the canvas, the original texture will still be visible through your painting and cause it to look uneven.
- Apply a thin coat of white acrylic paint to the canvas. Dip the end of a natural-bristle brush into your paint and spread it out on your canvas. Work in long back and forth strokes going either horizontally or vertically for your first coat. Spread the paint so the canvas has a thin even coat covering the original painting.[2]
- Avoid repainting over dark pieces of art since it will be hard to hide the original colors.
- Don't apply the paint too thick or else it will take a long time to dry. It's okay if the original painting still shows through the first coat.
- Let the paint dry to the touch. Leave the canvas in a cool, dry area that's out of direct sunlight while it dries. After about 30 minutes, test the dryness of the paint by touching it with your finger. If there isn't any paint on your finger, then you can move on. Otherwise, let it dry longer and check it again in 15-–20 minutes.[3]
- Paint another layer of white going in the opposite direction. If you painted the first coat vertically, then apply the second coat in horizontal strokes. Try to fill in any spots that you missed on the first coat or areas where you can still see the original painting. Make sure the second coat of paint creates a thin, even layer on the canvas. Let the second coat dry to the touch, which will take around 30–60 minutes, before painting on it.[4]
- If you still see the original painting through the second coat, then apply a third coat once it's dry.
[Edit]Removing Acrylic Paint and Resurfacing the Canvas - Soak the canvas in rubbing alcohol for 1 hour to loosen the paint. Look for a container that's large enough to hold the entire canvas, and place it outside or in a well-ventilated area. Fill the bottom of the container with of rubbing alcohol and put the canvas in it so the painted side is face-down. Leave the canvas alone for at least 1 hour.[5]
- You can also use turpentine or ammonia in place of rubbing alcohol if you want.
- If you don't have a container for your canvas, spray the rubbing alcohol across the surface of the painting with a spray bottle.
- Pull out the canvas and scrape the paint off of the surface with a putty knife. Wear rubber gloves and a face mask when you scrape the painting so you don't irritate your skin. Shake off any excess liquid and set it on a flat work surface. Place the putty knife along the edge of the canvas and slowly push it away from you to lift any loose paint from the surface. Continue scraping the paint until there aren't any thick, textured areas.[6]
- The paint may have stained the canvas, so your canvas won't look perfectly clean when you're finished.
- Don't apply too much pressure to the putty knife, or else you may rip through the canvas.
- Clean the rubbing alcohol off with warm water and dish soap. Put your canvas in the sink and run warm water over it to get it wet. Apply a few drops of liquid dish soap onto a soft cleaning brush and scrub the canvas in circular motions. Apply light pressure to work the soap into the canvas to clean off any residual alcohol and remove leftover paint. You may notice the paint stains getting lighter on the canvas.[7]
- If your canvas doesn't fit in the sink, then you can also wipe warm water onto the surface with a cleaning rag instead.
- Rinse the canvas and allow it to dry overnight. Run warm water over the surface of the canvas to clean off any suds and soap. Once you've cleaned off all of the soap, place the canvas in a warm area so you can leave it to dry. Let the canvas dry completely overnight before you plan on using it again.[8]
- If the canvas didn't fit in your sink, wipe it with a rag soaked with warm water until it's clean.
- You can also place the canvas in direct sunlight to help speed up the drying process.
- Paint a layer of acrylic gesso on the canvas. Mix the gesso using a stir stick, and apply it to your canvas with a natural-bristle paintbrush. Start in the center of the canvas and work the gesso into a thin layer with either horizontal or vertical strokes.[9]
- You can buy acrylic gesso from an art supply shop or online.
- It's okay if you can still see some of the original paint through the gesso since you'll be adding another coat.
- Mix a colored acrylic paint into the gesso if you want to have a different base color on your canvas.
- Let the gesso dry for 20–30 minutes. Put the canvas in a cool, dry place and allow it to dry to the touch. Test how dry the gesso is by touching it with your fingertip to see if any lifts off of the canvas. If your finger is clean after touching the canvas, you can move onto the next step.[10]
- Hold the canvas up to the light to see if there are any shiny spots. If the canvas is shiny, that means the gesso is still wet.
- Apply a second layer of gesso in the opposite direction. If you painted the first layer of gesso with horizontal strokes, then use vertical strokes for the second coat. Continue painting on a layer of gesso to cover any areas you missed the first time and give yourself a smooth painting surface. Once you finish the second coat, let it dry for another 1–2 days before painting on it.[11]
- You can add 1–2 more layers of gesso if the original paint still shows through. Allow each coat to dry completely before you apply the next one.
[Edit]Stripping Oil Paint to Create a Blank Canvas - Scrape as much paint off as you can with a razor blade. Put on a face mask or a respirator before you scrape the paint off since it contains harmful particles. Hold the razor blade at a slight angle to the canvas and push it away from you to remove thick, textured oil paints. Apply light pressure to scrape as close to the canvas as you can without cutting through it.[12]
- Never pull the cutting edge of the razor toward your body so it doesn't slip and cause serious injury.
- You can also use a putty knife if the razor blade works too slowly.
- Sand the old paint off with 120-grit sandpaper to remove the texture. Use long back and forth motions to scrape the paint off of the canvas. Apply light pressure to the canvas to remove the paint more effectively from the surface, but not so much that you rip or tear through it. Continue working the sandpaper until you can see blank canvas showing through the paint.[13]
- The oils paints may have stained the canvas, so it may not come off completely.
- If the fabric is too flexible and you aren't able to apply much pressure to the canvas while sanding, place boards of scrap wood or another flat surface underneath it so you have a solid surface to sand on.
- Rub denatured alcohol on the canvas to clean off paint particles. Denatured alcohol, also known as isopropyl alcohol, helps lift residual paint and cleans the surface so gesso can adhere better. Dip the end of a cleaning rag in denatured alcohol and rub the entire surface of the painting. Work in back and forth strokes to remove any paint or dust that's still on the surface. When you're finished, allow the alcohol to dry for 10–20 minutes.[14]
- Apply a thin coat of oil-based gesso on the canvas. Mix the gesso thoroughly with a stir stick before applying it so it has the best consistency. Start by applying the gesso in the middle of the painting and spreading it out toward the edges with a natural-bristle paintbrush. Work either in vertical or horizontal strokes until you have a thin coat of gesso over the entire surface.[15]
- You can buy oil-based gesso from an art supply shop or online.
- It's okay if you can still see some of the original painting through the first coat of gesso.
- Let the gesso dry to the touch for 20–30 minutes. Set the canvas is a cool, dry spot away from the sun while it dries. After 30 minutes, touch the canvas with your finger and check if any of the gesso lifted off the canvas. If your finger is clean, then you can move on. Otherwise, leave the gesso to dry longer.[16]
- Keep the canvas flat while the gesso dries so it doesn't form any drips.
- Put on a second layer of gesso going the opposite direction. Putting the gesso on in a different direction helps the canvas have a smoother finish and fills in spots you missed more effectively. If you put the first coat on horizontally, then use vertical strokes for the second layer. Continue brushing the gesso on until there's a thin layer and you can't see the paint underneath. Let the gesso dry for at least 1–2 days before you start painting on it.[17]
- If you need to apply additional layers of gesso to hide the underlayer of paint, then wait for 20–30 minutes before putting on another coat.
- You cannot use acrylic paints on oil-based gesso since it won't adhere as well and could cause the painting to crack.
[Edit]Flipping the Canvas and Using the Backside - Pull the nails or staples out from the canvas frame to detach it. Flip the canvas over so the back of the frame is face-up and you can see the nails or staples holding the fabric in place. Grip the nails or staples with a pair of pliers and pull them straight out from the canvas frame. Continue removing all of the nails or staples until the canvas is detached from the frame.[18]
- This method only works on canvas that's stretched onto a frame and does not work with canvas panels.
- The nails or staples may be on the sides of the frame instead of the back.
- Set the frame on top of the detached canvas so the painted side is face up. Lay your canvas down on a flat surface so the painted side is face-up. Put the frame on the canvas so the back is face-up, and line up the creases on the canvas with the frame's edges. Make sure the canvas stays flat against your work surface and doesn't have any wrinkles.[19]
- Drive nails or staples into the centers of each side of the frame. Start on one of the long sides of the canvas to make the process easier. Bend the edges of the canvas around the frame and pull it tightly onto the back side of the frame. Hammer a nail or place a staple through the canvas in the center of the frame's side to secure it in place. Rotate the frame and canvas so you can nail or staple the other long side so it's pulled tight. Repeat the process on the 2 short sides.[20]
- Ask a helper to assist you in pulling and securing the canvas to help ensure that it's tight.
- Stretch the canvas so it's pulled tightly in the frame. Start from the center of a long edge and securing the canvas to the frame every . Once you put in a nail or staple, add one in the same spot on the opposite side to ensure the canvas stretches evenly. Continue pulling the canvas tight and securing it to the frame until you reach the corners. Repeat the process on the short sides to ensure the front of the canvas has no ripples or wrinkles.[21]
- When you're finished, the front of the canvas should look flat and move slightly when you apply pressure to it.
- Apply layers of gesso to the unpainted side of the canvas and let them dry. Use an acrylic-based gesso if you want to use acrylic paints or oil-based gesso for oils. Start your first coat of gesso going in either horizontal or vertical strokes using a natural-bristle paintbrush. Once you have a thin layer of gesso, let it dry to the touch for 20–30 minutes. When the first layer is dry, you can put on a second layer using strokes in the opposite direction that your first coat.[22]
- You can also cover the painted side on the back of the canvas with gesso if you want to hide it.
[Edit]Warnings - Work in a well-ventilated area while you're removing paint so fumes or particles don't build up in the area.
- Wear a face mask or respirator while you're sanding or scraping paint off of a canvas since the paint contains harmful particles.
[Edit]Things You'll Need [Edit]Painting over Acrylic on Canvas - 120-grit sandpaper
- natural-bristle paintbrush
- White acrylic paint
[Edit]Removing Acrylic Paint and Resurfacing the Canvas - Container large enough for the canvas
- Rubbing alcohol
- Face mask
- Rubber gloves
- Putty knife
- Sink
- Dish soap
- Cleaning brush
- Acrylic gesso
- natural-bristle paintbrush
[Edit]Stripping Oil Paint to Create a Blank Canvas - Face mask or respirator
- 120-grit sandpaper
- Denatured alcohol
- Cleaning rag
- Oil-based gesso
- natural-bristle paintbrush
[Edit]Flipping the Canvas and Using the Backside - Pliers
- Hammer or stapler
- Acrylic- or oil-based gesso
- natural-bristle paintbrush
[Edit]References |
| How to Wrap Presents Without Tape Posted: 24 Dec 2019 08:00 AM PST Taking time to wrap a present is a great way to show someone you care. It can be frustrating, though, to start wrapping only to realize that you don't have any tape on hand. Fortunately, there are a few ways that you can wrap a present without using any tape. With just a bit of effort, you can wrap a present beautifully without tape in an origami style, or use a ribbon, stickers, glue, or nail polish to secure the wrapping. [Edit]Using Origami-Style Gift Wrapping - Measure the long side of the box to see how much paper you need. Using a ruler or measuring tape, measure one of the longer sides of the gift box. Then, measure how tall the gift box is and multiply this number by 2. Add these measurements together to get the length you'll need to cut the wrapping paper in order to wrap the box without tape.[1]
- If you're wrapping a square box, you can measure any of the sides since they are all the same length.
- Cut the wrapping paper in a square to size. Using your measurements, cut the wrapping paper so that all 4 sides measure the length needed to cover the longest sides of the box. Even if the gift box is rectangular, you'll need to cut the wrapping paper in a large square to make the folds more even.[2]
- You are essentially cutting the wrapping paper into a very large piece of origami paper, which is almost always square.
- Place the gift box facing down on top of the wrapping paper. First, lay the wrapping paper out on a flat surface, making sure the decorative side is facing down. Then, place the gift box in the middle of the wrapping paper with the top of the box facing down. Finally, turn the gift box so that the corners of the wrapping paper are aligned with the middle of the corresponding side of the gift box.[3]
- Fold one of the long flaps over the gift box. If you're wrapping a rectangular box, first fold the corresponding flap over one of the longer sides so that the corner of the wrapping paper lays on top of the box in the middle. If you're wrapping a square box, you can fold any of the flaps up first. Run your finger along the edge to make a crease and smooth out the fold so it'll stay in place better.[4]
- Lift the 2 side flaps and fold them over the top. Lay your hand underneath one of the flaps on either the left or right side of the box. Lift the paper up to fold the flap over the edge of the box, laying it on top of the flap you've already folded.[5] Run your finger along the edge to make a crease and keep the flap in place.
- Repeat this process to fold the other side flap on top of the first flap as well.
- If the folded-in flaps won't stay in place, you may need to use a paper weight or heavy item, such as a book, to temporarily hold them in place.
- The side flaps should meet in the middle of the box, creating a "v" shape. They can meet in the middle exactly or overlap slightly – either way will work fine.
- Fold the final flap up over the top of the box. The flap should lay on top of the 3 flaps you've already folded up. Run your finger along the edge to crease the paper at the fold and smooth it out.[6]
- Tuck the corner of the final flap under the side flaps. Hold the final flap down flat on top of the box, noting where the flap meets the edges of the side flaps. Lift the final flap slightly and fold it over so the crease lines up right where the flap meets the edges of the side flaps. Then, use your fingers to tuck the folded corner of the final flap under the side flaps, pushing it back towards itself.[7]
- Once the flap is securely tucked under, your present should stay wrapped on its own.
- If the wrapping paper puckers at all, run your finger along all the edges again to flatten the creases even more.
[Edit]Securing the Wrapping with Other Items - Tie a ribbon around the present to hold the wrapping paper in place. Lay a piece of ribbon out on a flat surface. Wrap the present as you normally would while making the creases in the edges sharp so that the paper holds in place while you work. Place the box on the ribbon in the middle so the top faces down. Fold the ribbon pieces on either side over the box, twisting them up around each other in the middle. Then, wrap the ribbon down around the other sides. Flip the box and pull the ribbons to meet in the middle, then secure them with a bow.[8]
- You might need another person to help you hold the wrapping paper in place until you can secure it with a ribbon.
- Instead of ribbon, you can also use twine or string.
- Apply stickers along the edges to secure the wrapping in place. Choose a set of at least 3 holiday or theme appropriate stickers. Wrap the gift as you normally would, using the stickers to securing the paper in place right where you would generally use tape.[9]
- Add some additional stickers on the top of the gift to make it more decorative and fun.
- If the stickers you're using are small or not very sticky, you'll likely need to use more on the sides to hold the paper in place.
- Use glue to secure the wrapping in place of tape. Cut your wrapping paper to size while adding a few extra inches on each side so the paper will overlap. Place the box on top of the paper, then fold up 2 opposite sides first. Lay one side down flat and put a dab of glue in the center along the edge. Immediately press the other flap on top and hold it in place for about 10 seconds. Then, fold and wrap up each of the sides of the gift, securing with glue in the same manner.[10]
- Let the glue dry completely before giving your gift away.
- Using a hot glue gun will likely work best for thicker wrapping paper. A glue stick or regular tube of glue will likely work on thinner wrapping paper, however.
- Paint nail polish along the edges to hold the paper in place. Wrap the gift as you normally would with wrapping paper. Then, as you fold up each of the flaps, paint nail polish along the edge of the paper that lays on top. Hold it in place for about 2 minutes to give the polish time to dry.[11]
- If you want it to be invisible, you can use clear nail polish, or a polish in the same color as the wrapping paper.
- Add a bit of extra décor to your gift with a glitter, glow-in-the-dark, or colorful polish.[12]
- If you don't have any wrapping paper, you can also use newspaper, magazines, or pages from a large book to wrap without tape.
- You can also use a gift bag and tissue for an easy alternative to wrapping with paper and tape.
- If you have any non-traditional types of tape, such as wasabi tape, electrical tape, duct tape, or packing tape, you can use them in place of regular tape as well.
[Edit]References |
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