How To Wrap A Book: 20+ Unique Ways To Gift Wrap A Book

How To Wrap A Book The Easy Way

Here’s how to wrap a book the easy way. Watch the video below, or scroll down for a written tutorial.

Supplies You Need

Note: Traditional wrapping paper is expensive, unrecyclable, and creates a lot of waste. Try reusing wrapping paper instead, or scroll down the article for fun alternatives!

Before we begin, gather the following supplies, which are both simple and affordable:

• Recycled wrapping paper (choose a color or pattern that suits the occasion)
• Scissors
• Tape (double-sided tape is preferable)
• Reused ribbon or bow (optional, but it does add a touch of elegance)

Step 1: Cut the Wrapping Paper

Measure the right amount of wrapping paper for your book. To do this, place the book on the paper and wrap it around the book once, leaving an extra inch or two on each side. Then, cut the paper accordingly. Keep in mind that thicker paper works best for hardcovers, while thinner paper is more suitable for paperbacks.

Step 2: Place The Book In The Paper

Now you’ve cut the paper, it’s time to place the book in its soon-to-be cozy wrap. Position the book in the center of the paper, and fold the sides of the paper over the book, ensuring that it covers the entire book. Crease the edges along the spine and the front and back covers. If needed, trim it down to the perfect size.

Step 3: Tape The Edges

With your book snug in the paper, it’s time to secure the edges. Fold the excess paper on the top and bottom of the book, and crease it neatly. Pro tip: use double-sided tape on the inside of the folded paper to create a clean, invisible seam. Now, fold the corners, ensuring they’re tight.

Finally, tape the folded edges along the corners of the book.

Feel like you’re wrapping a book for the first time? Don’t worry! Books come in various sizes and shapes, so practice makes perfect. The more books you wrap, the better you’ll become at tackling any book that comes your way.

Thin books require a different method: Measure a square of wrapping paper that’s bigger than the book,

Step 4: Add The Finishing Touches

Your book is wrapped and looking fabulous, but why not add a little extra charm? If you’re feeling fancy, grab a ribbon or bow and adorn your gift. Remember, this step is optional, but it adds a touch of elegance.

Ribbons add a touch of elegance and color to any book wrapping. They’re also reusable and can be tied in various ways for different effects. To wrap a book with ribbons, simply choose a ribbon that matches the book cover or theme, wrap it around the book horizontally and vertically, and tie a knot or a bow on the front or back.

Customize your ribbon wrapping with different ribbons, multiple colors, or braiding them together.

There you have it: a guide on how to wrap a book the easy way.

Great Ideas For Gift Wrapping Books

I understand the thrill of giving someone a book as a gift. It’s the perfect way to share a story, a new world, or a piece of knowledge. What’s more fun is getting creative with the gift wrapping. I’ll share fantastic ideas for gift wrapping books to add a touch of charm to your gift-giving.

1. Wrap It In Brown Paper & Twine: Rustic Charm

There’s something charmingly rustic and minimalist about wrapping a book with brown kraft paper and twine. It’s versatile and eco-friendly, plus, it’s budget-friendly! Imagine the delight on your friend’s face when they receive the gift, as if it’s been hand-delivered from a charming, old-timey bookshop.

To wrap your book with kraft paper and twine, follow these simple steps:

1. Cut a piece of brown kraft paper large enough to cover the book with some excess on each side.
2. Place the book in the center of the paper and fold the paper over the front cover, creasing the edge.
3. Repeat with the back cover, making sure the paper is snug around the book.
4. Tape the edges of the brown paper together on the inside of the book.
5. Cut a piece of twine long enough to wrap around the book twice.
6. Wrap the twine around the book horizontally and tie a knot on the front.
7. Wrap the twine around the book vertically and tie another knot on the front, creating a cross shape.
8. Trim the ends of the twine or make a bow if desired.

Customize your kraft paper and twine wrapping by adding a gift tag, using colored or patterned twine, or stamping or drawing designs on the kraft paper.

2. Wax Seals: Vintage Mystery

Wax seals add a sense of mystery and elegance to your book wrapping. Picture the intrigue on your friend’s face when they receive the gift, transporting them to a bygone era where secrets were sealed with a drop of wax.

Personalize the seal with different colors, shapes, and symbols to match the theme or genre of the book or the recipient’s personality. After wrapping the book with sturdy paper, use a wax seal kit to apply the seal.

Customize the wrapping with different colors of wax sticks, various shapes and symbols of stamps.

3. Handmade Wrapping Paper: A Creative Canvas

Handmade wrapping paper shows the care and effort put into your gift. It allows you to express your artistic skills and can be tailored to suit the book or recipient. Choose a plain or lightly colored paper, decorate it with paint, markers, stamps, or collage, and then wrap the book. Experiment with different types of paper.

Your handmade wrapping paper is a canvas where your creativity can run wild.

4. A Gift Box: Convenience Meets Style

A gift box is a convenient and attractive way to wrap a book. It saves time and effort while still looking elegant and stylish. Choose a gift box that fits the book and matches the theme, color, or genre. You can find various sizes, shapes, and designs of gift boxes at your local craft store or online.

Customize your gift box by personalizing it with the recipient’s name or a heartfelt message.

5. Fabric Wrapping: A Sustainable Alternative

Fabric wrapping, also known as furoshiki, is a traditional Japanese method of wrapping gifts using reusable cloth. This method adds a unique and elegant touch to your book gift. To wrap a book using fabric, follow these steps:

1. Choose a piece of fabric large enough to cover the book with some excess on each side. You can use a scarf, scraps of fabric, a tea towel, a pillowcase, a bandana, or any other piece of cloth.
2. Place the book in the center of the fabric.
3. Fold the fabric over the book from one side, and then fold the opposite side over the book.
4. Tie the remaining two corners of the fabric together in a knot on top of the book.

Customize your fabric wrapping by choosing different patterns, colors, or textures of fabric.

6. Newspaper: The Art Of Nostalgia

Newspaper is a clever and quirky way to wrap books. It gives a vintage and nostalgic vibe that’s appealing to book lovers. You can use it to create interesting contrasts or connections with the book’s content or title. The best part? It can be recycled or composted after use.

1. Choose a newspaper with a suitable size, language, and theme for the book.
2. Cut a piece of newspaper large enough to cover the book with some excess on each side.
3. Place the book in the center of the newspaper and fold it over the front cover, creasing the edge.
4. Repeat with the back cover, making sure the newspaper is snug around the book.
5. Tape the edges of the newspaper together on the inside of the book.

Customize your creation

• Use different sections or pages of the newspaper to match or contrast the book’s genre or topic, such as comics, sports, headlines, or horoscopes.
• Use different colors or languages of newspapers to create a multicultural or artistic look.
• Decorate the newspaper with cutouts, drawings, writing, stickers, or stamps.
• Add embellishments like ribbons, twine, tags, or buttons to enhance the wrapping.

7. Fancy Paper Folding: Give Them A Sneaky Look At The book cover!

Fancy paper folding is a fun and impressive way to wrap books. It creates a unique and eye-catching look that can wow the recipient. Showcase your origami or paper craft skills by using any type of paper, such as wrapping paper, tissue paper, or parchment paper.

1. Choose a paper that’s large enough to cover the book and has a nice color or pattern.
2. Place the book in the center of the paper and fold the paper over the front cover, leaving excess on the edge.
3. Repeat with the back cover, leaving some excess on the other edge.
4. Tape them to secure them.

Or, use the above method to avoid using tape! Isn’t that clever?

Customize Your Creation

• Use different types of paper for different effects: glossy, matte, metallic, or textured.
• Experiment with various folding techniques: pleating, crimping, curling, or scoring.
• Create different shapes or patterns: stars, hearts, flowers, or geometric designs.

9. Recycled Magazine Pages: A Kaleidoscope Of Colors

Recycled magazine pages are a smart and colorful way to wrap books. They reuse and repurpose old magazines that would otherwise go to waste. Plus, they create a vibrant and eclectic look that can suit any book or recipient. Or, for a novel approach, wrap it in old pages from a second-hand book!

1. Choose magazine pages with a suitable size, theme, and color for the book.
2. Cut or tear the magazine pages into strips or shapes that you like.
3. Arrange the magazine pieces on a plain paper or cardboard large enough to cover the book.
4. Glue or tape the magazine pieces on the paper or cardboard, overlapping them slightly to cover the gaps.
5. Wrap the book as usual with the paper or cardboard and tape the edges together.

Customize Your Creation

• Use different types of magazines for various styles and topics, such as fashion, travel, sports, or art.
• Experiment with cutting or tearing techniques for the magazine pages, such as scissors, punches, or rulers.
• Arrange the magazine pieces in different ways, such as mosaic, patchwork, or gradient.
• Add embellishments like ribbons, stickers, tags, or buttons to enhance the wrapping.

Other Ideas

Here’s a quick list of additional creative book wrapping ideas:

• No unwrapping required: Try this ingenious method where the receiver can see what the book is without having to unwrap the gift. What a thoughtful idea.
• Map it out: Wrap a book in an old map.
• Sew or knit a cozy: Create a sewn or knitted book sleeve that fits the book snugly.
• Wordplay: Wrap a book in a crossword puzzle.
• Spoiler alert: Give them a clue in the form of a photograph gift tag or a word puzzle.
• T-shirt tales: Wrap a book in an old T-shirt, or make it look like a shirt!
• Musical notes: Wrap a book in sheet music.
• Fit the occasion: Modify the theme of your creation for the season, like Christmas.
• Comic relief: Wrap a book in comic strips.
• Sometimes more is better: Are you gifting someone more than one book? Try this tutorial.
• Keep it simple: Reuse a paper bag or a cloth bag.
• From the garden: Pair reused kraft paper with a little garnish of herbs, leaves, or stems.
• Color it in: Have any old coloring pages lying around? Use these as wrapping paper.
• Extra treats: Pair it with their favorite edible treat.

Want more? See our Pinterest Board full of them!

Conclusion

Remember, gift wrapping is an art, and you’re the artist. Use these ideas as inspiration, and don’t be afraid to think outside the box. Your gift recipient will appreciate the effort you put in. Now, wrap those literary gems in a way that’d make the authors themselves beam with pride!