We've all been there, you’ve picked the perfect gift and chosen the most beautiful, eco-friendly wrapping paper on the planet; but, when it comes to wrapping, you're all fingers and thumbs!

           At Curlicue, we've been obsessed with Amanda at GiftFrippery for a long time. Her creativity, wrapping skills and encouragement of small businesses are just a few of the many reasons to follow her. 

           Amanda has given us her top gift-wrapping tips.  So, get yourself a cuppa, and line up your craft kit, we’ve got some gems for you!

What's the one piece of gift-wrapping kit that you can't live without and why? 

It's difficult to choose between my glue gun and my scissors! I think, overall, I'd be lost entirely without a sharp pair of scissors.  That’s how you get clean edges and they are especially important with patterned paper.

What's the secret to a perfectly wrapped present?

The secret to wrapping a neat present is to measure the paper accurately. If you have too much paper to contend with, you'll never get neat corners. My next gift-wrapping secret is to run your fingers over every edge and fold them to create sharp corners. This will give your gift a professional touch.

What's your favourite finishing touch? 

Over the summer, my favourite finishing touches are string and flowers (even weeds!!) I've been concentrating on what was readily available for everyone in lockdown. 

I actually surprised myself in how beautiful things can look!  

If you want to create this look for your gifts, here's how: 

1.    Start by wrapping a box in brown paper. 

2.    Bound string around the box six times, criss-crossing the string and tying it off with a knot.  

3.    Use whatever you have to hand to decorate - try threading little flowers and leaves into the string for that beautiful, natural finishing touch. I even used dandelions, it looked so sweet!

You do have to do this last-minute though, just so that the flowers don't droop!

How can you use your wrapping style to add a personal touch?

I often get my embellishing inspiration by thinking of the recipient; this makes your gift very personal to them.  I once gifted a friend an Indian cookery book; I used plain wrapping paper that I embellished with a whole manner of cinnamon quills, cardamom pods and star anise - it smelt amazing!

I also recently wrapped a present for my best friend, she loves sewing so I embellished the wrapping with embroidery threads, ribbon and put a message around an empty cotton reel.

How do you approach wrapping an awkwardly shaped object? We've all struggled with bath bombs!

If you have an awkward shape to wrap, think of using flexible wrapping. Fabric makes a really excellent option as it's reusable. You can also use true cellophane as it's naturally made (normally from wood pulp) and entirely biodegradable.  Whatever your choice, gather up the material of the fabric around your gift, then hang on for dear life to the top before you tie something around it. 

The fabric may be something you already have, in which case, you're reusing which is great for the environment! In my Eco-Luxe Gift-Wrapping workshop, we learn how to do furoshiki, a Japanese style of fabric - it's so simple yet incredibly beautiful. 

What do you see as being the biggest trend in wrapping?

Curlicue has always been ahead of the curve when it comes to eco-friendly wrapping paper.  I especially like that the ink is vegan and ensures the paper is fully recyclable. 

Now the giant retailers, like John Lewis, are joining the game too. I think the most significant shift in Christmas purchases this year will be towards eco-friendly options. 

        Many of the smaller companies I work with providing gift-wrapping services appreciate the eco-friendly angle, and it's great when everyone moves in the same direction it'll help make a difference. 

If you're interested in attending one of Amanda's workshops and you're close to Bristol, you can find details on her website here. 

You can also follow Amanda on Instagram @GiftFrippery for some wrapping inspiration and some of the best how-to videos.