Gorgeous Gift Wrapping Ribbons, DIY Techniques and Tips to Add That Special Final Touch to Your Presents (2019)

Gifting is said to be a joy not only for the receiver but also for the giver. The giver spends a lot of hours looking for the perfect gift and hands it over with excitement, waiting eagerly to see the reaction of the recipient. The receiver on the other hand is thrilled to receive a gift from a loved one.

An integral part of the experience is having a beautifully wrapped gift with a cute ribbon bow. The wrapping adds a charming touch and increases the anticipation of opening up the gift, making it that much more fun. Getting the gift wrapping done in the store itself makes it look professional and neat, but does lose out on the personal touch, doesn’t it?

Wrapping the gift yourself adds to the joy of giving and makes it a one-of-a-kind package. In fact, gift wrapping can be used to express your creativity, and to add further personalisation to your gift.

Gift wrapping primarily needs three things - the wrapping paper, the ribbon and a card.

Gifts mostly come in their own boxes but sometimes they don’t - like when you’ve hand crafted the gift. When there's no box, try to find a one that fits the gift snugly, as it makes the wrapping much neater and easier to manage.

A neatly wrapped gift is no mean achievement. The first step is to collect all supplies in one place so we are don’t hunt for anything in midst of the wrapping exercise. Other than the chosen gift wrapping paper and the ribbons, you'll need scotch tape, glue, and scissors (assuming your gift is already boxed). Find a clean free space to work in, gather all your supplies plus the gift and you're set.

Measure twice cut once! Critical for the wrapping to be crisp and clean is ensuring your measurements are accurate. To do this, you need to map the shape and size of the gift to the paper. Do a rough check of how the paper will get wrapped around the gift/box. Measure and mark clearly before cutting the paper.

So you’ve wrapped the gift? Now for the final touch—adding decoration to increase the visual appeal, a ribbon, an embellishment, a pretty card.

Of these, elegantly tied ribbons surely add a little something to the gift. Elaborate or simple, cute bows of ribbon on a gift are pleasing to the eye and make the gift more special.

If you are keen on adding ribbon with the bow by yourself, you can either go with readymade options from craft stores- the best for those of us who aren't crafty - or you can buy a suitable ribbon and do it yourself. Our guide covers both so you can go with whatever makes most sense to you

Check out this Silver Organza Bow With Gold ribbon that you can use when you are going for a classy look for your gift. Perfect for use in gifts for dinner party gifts or any such festive occasion. Available for Rs.149 at itsybitsy.in.

Another similar option is the Organza Pull Bow Ribbon which features delicate stripes, in a variety of colours, all at the same price.

This cute pink polka dotted satin bow comes with a pink ribbon and is a great option if you are giving a gift to a child or trying to strike a cheerful fun note. Pink of course is also perfect for someone who likes the girlie style. Available on itsybitsy.in for Rs.149

This Curly Ribbon Bow in pink will add effusive burst of colour to your gift. You will however receive only a bow in the packet - you will need to buy a matching ribbon separately if you want the full look. This bright and shiny bow is a little on the over the top in design so use it for occasions like weddings. Get it on Itsy Bitsy for Rs.69.

If you are going the DIY way, fantastic! You will of course first need to find right the ribbon, so we've gathered a sample of interesting ribbons for you to consider

Quintessentially Christmas-sy, this sheer glitter ribbon with its vibrant colours will add festive joy to your Xmas gift. Since the ribbon is wired, you can expect it to be strong and have more flexibility as it will hold shapes. The ribbon is 3 cm wide, and you can get 200 cm of it for Rs.297 on Amazon.

Looking for something more sophisticated? Then these plain-coloured taffeta ribbons are an excellent choice. This wired ribbon has a satin sheen on its face which gives it an elegant look. The width of the ribbon is 38 mm. You have the option of ordering 2 lengths - the 2 yard one costs Rs 85 while the 5 yard one costs Rs. 205. Order it on Amazon.

Brightly coloured thin ribbons add vivacious appeal to your gift. The Inflnxt Multipurpose printed Ribbon is a set of 10 roll in varying colours and designs.

Another option is the Segolike Multicolor Double Sided Grosgrain Ribbons. Made of polyester, the plain ribbons will come in 16 different colours. Each of them will have a length of 1 yard or 914 mm. There are 2 widths available- the 6 mm one costs Rs. 278 while the 9 mm one costs Rs 304. You can get them both on Amazon.

This Meraki Cards Ribbon in cool green shade is decorated with white stiches in the middle giving it a dual look. One part of the ribbon is sheer while the other is satin. The length of the ribbon is 5 yards and it has a width of 16mm, making it a wide ribbon. The cool, chic design of the ribbon makes it perfect for gifts for women. Order it on Amazon for Rs.130.

If you looking to strike an earthy look, then the burlap lace ribbon is perfect. Made of durable burlap, this ribbon is decorated with delicate lace giving it a striking appearance. The length of the ribbon is around 5 m while the width is approximately 5 cm. Get it for Rs.409 on Amazon.

Going for a formal, classy look? Then opt for this simple Sheer Golden Organza Ribbon from an international brand DwayneWolff.. The glitter ribbon has a subtle shine that will add a touch of elegance to your gift. As it is wired, the ribbon is flexible and lightweight making it easy to work with. the length of the ribbon is 25 yards and its width is 20 mm. Buy it on Amazon for Rs.299.

This pretty polka dotted ribbon brings a girlish charm that will make your gift stand out. The White Grosgrain Ribbon from Meraki Cards has a width of 25 mm. You can buy 2 yards length of the ribbon for Rs. 50, while the 5 yard is priced at Rs.120 on Amazon.

Adding the trademark bow on top of your gift using ribbons is a fun art to learn. You may need a little practice but it it worth the trouble. Here are 3 different ways to tie the bow.

Take a suitable length of ribbon such that it sufficiently wraps around the gift and leaves around a meter for the bow itself.

While the standard gift wrapping involves adorable bows, you can always try something different to add that finishing touch to your gift. This is also a great way to make the gift wrapping reflect the personality of the receiver, showing further thoughtfulness on your part.

Using lace is perfect when you are going for a sophisticated and delicate look. Use a length of good quality lace just like a ribbon and tie it around your gift. You can make a simple bow with it or tie a simple knot and leave the ends trailing to make it more charming. Another interesting way to incorporate lace is to use lace-like length of cloth in place wrapping paper and tie it up with a contrasting ribbon.

Looking to beautify your gift wrapping even more? Then try adding something small and meaningful as decoration atop the ribbon instead of a bow. This could be a small-size photo, any cute trinket or even a few fresh flowers. Choose your decoration such that it resonates with your giftee making it special from the get-go.

Take personalisation to another level by personalising the gift wrapping paper itself! You could buy stamping supplies and stamp a message or your giftee name across the paper. Or print the wrapping paper with quirky designs or special messages. Or even add stickers to it.

Don't want to make it a fussy affair? Then just use colourful washi tape! Buy a few tapes in different vibrant colours and let loose your imagination. They are really easy to use as you just need to stick them on the paper. You can find many ideas to try such as pasting the tape across the box mimicking a regular ribbon, pasting in a bow shape, creating cute patterns or even making a monogram with it.