As the festive season approaches, the age-old struggle of wrapping awkwardly shaped presents rears its head once more. While flat boxes are a dream, round items like candles, bottles, or ornaments can turn gift-wrapping from a joy into a frustrating chore of crumpled paper and excessive tape.
The Viral Solution Taking TikTok by Storm
Enter a potential saviour: a clever wrapping tutorial that has exploded on social media platform TikTok. The video, created by user @byrubbia, has amassed a staggering 43 million views, captivating countless viewers with its promise of a neat solution for cylindrical gifts.
Intrigued by the hype, I decided to put this viral sensation to the test. Could it truly transform my messy, end-folded attempts into a professionally presented parcel?
Putting the Hack to the Test: A Step-by-Step Journey
Armed with a festive candle, a roll of wrapping paper, and a healthy dose of scepticism, I followed the method closely. The process deviates from traditional wrapping in a clever way.
First, you cut a rectangle of paper and wrap it around the gift to form a tube, taping the side seam. Instead of wrestling with the ends immediately, you then slide the gift out. The empty paper tube is then manipulated flat on your work surface.
The key technique involves strategic folding and cutting to create a diamond-shaped pattern at what will become the top and bottom of your gift. You make fringe-like cuts at one end, which later fold in neatly to form the base. After trimming excess paper to reveal the diamond points, you simply reinsert your gift into the prepared sleeve.
The final touch involves using a ribbon or string to gather the central diamond points together at the top, creating a beautiful, gathered finish that resembles a festive cracker or sweet wrapper.
The Verdict: Neater Presents, But Patience Required
The result was undeniably superior to my usual haphazard efforts. The finished candle looked polished, intentional, and rather professional. The gathered top with a bow added a delightful, traditional Christmas touch.
However, this method is not a lightning-fast fix. It requires patience and precision, especially during the folding and cutting stages. My first attempt was slower than expected, and I found that using a flimsy wrapping paper made the structural folds more challenging.
For best results, I would recommend using a slightly sturdier grade of paper to give the folds more definition. With a little practice, the technique certainly becomes more intuitive.
In conclusion, this viral TikTok hack absolutely delivers on its promise to make wrapping round gifts look infinitely better. While it demands more time and care than shoving a present into a gift bag, the impressive, head-turning results are well worth the extra effort for those special gifts under the tree.
