Gift Wrap Solutions

WASHINGTON, DC (WUSA) -- A Nielsen Wire survey says 42 percent of U.S. consumers plan to spend less this holiday season. 

And if giving a pretty present to your loved ones has you spending less on gifts, the Container Store's Erin Lander shares some money saving gift wrap solutions for creating beautifully wrapped presents and spectacular bows. 

How to wrap a gift.  Lay the box face down on the paper. Use a ribbon or tape measure to measure the girth of the box and add two inches.  This is how much paper you will need to go around the box. To determine how much wrap you will need to cover the ends of the box, allow an overlap that's equal to the height of the box and trim the excess paper accordingly.

For best results, the seam of the paper should be at the edge of the bottom of the package, rather than along the center.  Pull one side of the wrap all the way to the other edge of the box, crease it slightly to mark the edge, then fold the crease for a clean look.  Secure the edge with three small pieces of double-sided tape.  Crease the bottom edges of the box with your thumb and forefinger.

Flip the box so that the top is facing upward.  Place a small piece of double-sided tape near both sides of the end of the box.  Push in on both ends to fold the wrap; it will be held in place by the double-sided tape.

For a finished look, fold the top edge of both the top and bottom flaps to ensure a straight, crisp line.

Now it's time to make a quick bow.

How to tie a pom-pom bow.  Form a loop about 4" in diameter and wind the ribbon around 12 to 15 times. Flatten and crease the loop so the inside end of the ribbon is at the top.  Notch all four corner of the folded loop by cutting each corner at a steep angle.  Be careful not to cut all the way through.

Push the notched ends of the loops together in the middle.  Firmly tie the notched center with wire or ribbon using a double knot.  Trim the outside edge of the tie. 

Holding one side of the loop with one hand, pull the innermost loop out to the right, then pull it toward you with a half twist.  Repeat with the next loop, but twist it away from you.  Repeat, until all loops from the same end are pulled out.  Turn the bow around, and repeat alternate twisting on the opposite end, starting with innermost loop.

Occasionally, cut ends will protrude from bow.  Twist them into the bow and cut at an angle for a finished look.  Hold the bow at the center and shake it to fluff.  Use ties to attach the finished bow to the ribbon around the package.