How to Wrap Christmas Presents Perfectly: Professional Reveals Genius Tips

Christmas is dubbed "the most wonderful time of the year", but apparently wrapping presents is the worst part of the holiday. A survey of 2,000 participants revealed 51 percent hate the task so much, they would rather pay a professional to do it.

Newsweek spoke to a gift-wrapping guru who has shared her top five hacks. From a basketball to a wine bottle, Lennia McCarter, 37, can make any present look pretty. The stay-at-home mom has become a TikTok sensation as she shares her hacks and tips with millions daily.

Lennia, who lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, has revealed you don't even need tape when wrapping. There's also no need to fork out more cash on gift bags as this stay-at-home mom has got you covered.

How to Wrap a Ball

Forty-five percent of participants in the survey said sports balls are one of the most difficult presents to wrap.

To wrap a ball neatly, you must follow these steps:

1. Put the ball on the wrapping paper before cutting to determine how much you will use.
2. Measure how wide the base of the bag needs to be by placing the basketball at the bottom of the paper and then folding the bottom of the paper up past that point to ensure the ball will fit.
3. Open that fold and separate in the middle so it creates a diamond. Flatten the edges of the diamond to make creases.
4. Fold the bottom and top of the diamond down to create two small triangles that slightly overlap at their tips and secure their edges with tape.
5. The body and base of your bag are complete, slide the basketball into the bag.
6. Tape in the middle of the paper and then create a bow by lifting up the sides and taping them together.

How to Make A Gift Bag Using Wrapping Paper

If you are looking to save a few dollars this Christmas, this hack is for you.

You can make your own gift bag that is the perfect size for the present by following this method:

1. Fold the wrapping paper horizontally and stick tape in the middle.
2. Place the item on the bottom of the paper to determine the size of the base.
3. Seal the base by folding the bottom and top of the diamond down to create two small triangles that slightly overlap at their tips and secure their edges with tape.
4. Place the item inside.
5. Create a handle using ribbon by taping it to the top—around 1 inch away from the bag opening.
6. Fold over the excess paper and use tape again.

How to Wrap a Present Without Sellotape

You could help save the planet this Christmas by ditching sellotape as it contains plastic and cannot be recycled.

1. Place the item in the middle of the paper
2. Take one corner and fold the paper over the item and tuck it behind the item
3. Pick up the bottom corner of the wrapping paper, and lay it flat on top of the box. Run your finger along the bottom right fold to create a smooth crease.
4. With your left hand holding the paper in place, use your right hand and index finger to slowly fold the right side of the paper inward. (This should fold naturally.) Holding the paper in place with your right hand, repeat for the left side.
5. Hold the gift wrap in place with your left hand and move to the top. Run your finger along the top two folds to create a crease.
6. Pick up the top point of the wrapping paper and fold it down on top. (You may have to stop and fold the edges a little to make it fold easily.)
7. Take the top corner that you folded over the box and tuck it into the bottom slot. Fold neatly to secure it in place.

How to Make an Envelope Using Wrapping Paper

If you find yourself with extra wrapping paper this year, why not get creative and make your very own envelopes?

1. You will need 13x11 inches of paper
2. Fold horizontally in half
3. Place note or cash in the middle
4. Fold both corners
5. Fold the bottom and then the top
6. Take the bottom corner and place in a small gap at the top then do the same with the remaining paper
7. Add flowers for decor.

How to Make a Small Gift Box Using a Cardboard Box

There is no need to waste anything this Christmas as a large box can be used to make a smaller one.

1. First cut the box in half and use just one half to make a smaller box.
2. Create two creases by folding horizontally on each side—leaving 1.5 inches in between.
3. Cut the vertical fold lines up until the horizontal crease.
4. Fold the bottom sheet into a box shape.
5. Fold the top sheet into a box shape and press in the tabs.
6. You should then be able to open and close the box.