Welcome to 2025: The return of Trump, toxic masculinity and a world on the edge
Welcome to 2025: The return of Trump, toxic masculinity and a world on the edge

Edaein OConnell

Ireland’s ESG agenda: how to sustainably green your business in 2025
Ireland’s ESG agenda: how to sustainably green your business in 2025

Sarah Finnan

Meet the new IMAGE Business Club coaches: who will you choose?
Meet the new IMAGE Business Club coaches: who will you choose?

IMAGE

‘Until now there has been one baby in my family’
‘Until now there has been one baby in my family’

Leonie Corcoran

Meet the Galway craftsman capturing seaside finds in cast concrete
Meet the Galway craftsman capturing seaside finds in cast concrete

Michelle Hanley

Meet the Irish creators posting as Gaeilge
Meet the Irish creators posting as Gaeilge

Sarah Gill

The unspoken power of curating your tribe
The unspoken power of curating your tribe

Leonie Corcoran

Irish stylist Katie Bryce on statement-making looks and the joys of outfit repeating
Irish stylist Katie Bryce on statement-making looks and the joys of outfit repeating

Sarah Gill

Blue Monday: 6 tips to help you manage stress (and avoid burnout)
Blue Monday: 6 tips to help you manage stress (and avoid burnout)

Jennifer McShane

Supper Club: Vegan tofu stir-fry
Supper Club: Vegan tofu stir-fry

Meg Walker

Gift wrapping inspiration: tips and tricks to elevate your presents this Christmas
Sponsored

Gift wrapping inspiration: tips and tricks to elevate your presents this Christmas

Sponsored By

by Megan Burns
03rd Dec 2024
Sponsored By

You’ve picked out the perfect gift, but we want our wrapping to feel just as special. We’ve asked stylist Orla Neligan for her advice on simple, stress-free ways to add a festive flourish.

Christmas is fast approaching, and amongst the flurry of festive parties, school concerts and catch-ups with friends, there’s the all-important task of buying presents for your nearest and dearest. 

That can seem like the hard part, but who hasn’t been left in a tizzy, surrounded by scraps of paper and tape, by the task of presenting them all beautifully in gift wrap? 

That’s why we’ve asked stylist and gift-wrapper extraordinaire Orla Neligan for her advice. When it comes to getting Christmas wrapping right, she says it’s important to set yourself up for success. “Make sure you’ve cleared enough space to allow you to spread out your wrapping accessories and paper,” she says. “There’s nothing worse than trying to wrap with objects in the way, while you scramble to find the tape.”

Another common pitfall is to start off with a piece of paper that’s cut incorrectly. “Avoid wonky lines by using a ruler and pencil to cut the paper to size,” Orla explains, “and if using paper with a pattern, use the design as a guide to cut along.” If you’ve saved paper to re-use, Orla advises ironing it first to remove wrinkles so you start with a smooth canvas.

And when it comes to elevating your wrapping, there are plenty of simple touches that make a big difference. “Add a touch of nature with a sprig of pine, eucalyptus or dried flowers tucked into the ribbon or the envelope fold of your present,” Orla says. “Unless the receiver has an allergy you know of, consider spritzing your finished present with perfume – scent is often the final layer of styling and it won’t go unnoticed.”

And finally, Orla loves to finish with a ribbon. “Ribbons are an inexpensive and stylish finish to any present, and look great doubled up.” 

How to: wrap a book

To prove just how easy it can be, Orla’s given us a guide to wrapping a favourite when it comes to gifting – a book. However, this technique works well for any similarly-shaped gift.

  • Cut your paper, leaving three times the width of the book.
  • Place the book in the centre and fold the paper on the left across, tucking it underneath the book.
  • Fold down the paper from the far corner on the left hand side to meet the side of the book so it looks like a triangle. Then wrap it across the front of the book tucking it underneath.

 

  • Turn the book over and secure the paper with tape. Then turn it back. You should have a ‘pocket’ at the front.
  • Insert a sprig of greenery or dried flowers into the pocket along with a gift tag.

 

Toblerone Truffles are individually wrapped, diamond-shaped bites of the iconic Toblerone crunchy nougat pieces in soft praline texture, coated with Toblerone Swiss quality chocolate – the perfect addition to any Christmas gift. This Christmas, whatever you gift, add a diamond.

Looking for the perfect Christmas gift? Browse our Toblerone Christmas Gift Guide here.

Also Read