There is a slightly annoying moment in wrapping a present when you've cut the paper, brought the two sides together, and discovered they're just a little too short. A quick dry fit saves you from that. It also leaves more of the good patterned paper for the next gift.
The Muchachi papers we carry, including Martina, come as three separate sheets rolled together. Each sheet is 20 by 29 inches, with a smooth, thick feel and a matte finish. They're designed and printed in California. So although the package looks like a roll, you're working with three rectangles, and it helps to plan around those edges.
Before the scissors come out
Put the box on an uncut sheet and bring the sides around it. You want a little overlap where the seam will sit. Then look at the ends: is there enough paper sticking out to fold each one closed? A flexible tape, or even a strip of spare paper, can help you measure the trip around an awkwardly sized box.
Turn the box once before deciding. You might get a better fit in the other direction, or find that the pattern looks nicer that way. If the design has an obvious top and bottom, imagine the present being handed over and choose which face you'd like someone to see first.
Once you're happy with the fit, cut only what you need. A long offcut may cover another little box; a smaller piece can go around something tucked inside a larger package. Keeping the useful pieces together makes it easier to find them later.
A book is a good place to begin
The straight edges of a closed book give you places to crease the paper. Tuck any loose jacket or insert safely into place, put the main seam on the back, and fold one end before moving to the other. You can take your time with the corners without trying to hold an irregular shape steady.
For a mug or anything fragile, sort out the protective box and cushioning first. The decorative sheet is the last layer. That matters especially if the present is going through the post, where a pretty fold won't do the work of protective packaging.
Let the patterns be a little different
If you're wrapping several gifts, they don't all need the same paper. Look at Lila, Chachi and Agua Fresca together and see whether there's a color you'd like to carry from one to another. Repeating a ribbon color you already have, or simply using the same kind of fold, can tie different patterns together.
Capirotada, Guayaba, Limón and Osayo use the same three-sheet, 20-by-29-inch format. You can give each person a different design without having to rethink the wrapping method every time.
We'd leave a little quiet space somewhere—a plain note or a simple ribbon is enough. The paper already has plenty to say.
The part you write by hand
A Happy Birthday Card or Thanks! card gives the package its occasion. Inside, you can say why you chose the gift, or mention one thing you're looking forward to doing together. Our card-writing guide has a few starting points if the blank space is holding you up.
Store the remaining sheets flat or gently rolled so they're ready next time. If you're still choosing what goes inside, browse the gift guide; if there's a birthday cake involved too, our number-candle guide helps with the digits and their size. Then you can get back to the satisfying part: that last bit of tape, and a present ready to give.
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