5 Simple Ways to Gift-Wrap a Cylinder Like a Pro

You already got the perfect gift for that special someone, but how can you wrap the paper so it looks nice and smooth on something cylindrical? Even when a gift doesn’t fit nicely into a box, you can turn an oddly-shaped item into a beautifully wrapped present in just a few minutes. There are multiple ways to wrap your gift, and we’ll walk you through each one step-by-step. With a few finishing touches, your present will be all wrapped up and ready to go!

Things You Should Know

Wrap the paper around the cylinder and tape the seam where it overlaps.
Fold the loose ends of the paper down so they lie flat, and tape them to the ends of the cylinder.
Add a bow or ribbon to your present to finish wrapping it.

Method 1

Method 1 of 5:

Twisting the Ends

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1
Cut the wrapping paper 6 in (15 cm) longer than the gift. Place the gift in the middle of your wrapping paper. Wrap the paper around your gift and mark where it overlaps by ¹ ⁄ ₂ inch (1.3 cm). Then, adjust the gift on the paper so there’s about 3 inches (7.6 cm) of excess sticking out from each end of the cylinder. Then, just cut out the paper with a pair of scissors. ^{[1]
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- It’s okay if your measurements aren’t perfect. Just make sure that you have about an even amount of paper on each end.
2
Wrap the paper around the cylinder. Place the gift in the center of the paper with the printed side of the wrapping paper facing downwards. Make a tiny ¹ ⁄ ₄ in (0.64 cm) inch fold on one long edge of the paper. Put a piece of double-sided tape on the fold and wrap the paper around the cylinder. Once the paper overlaps, press down on the fold to secure the tape. ^{[2]
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- If the gift shifts out from the center of the roll while you’re wrapping it, push on either end to readjust it.
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3
Twist the paper at both ends. Grab the excess paper at each end of the tube and gently twist it clockwise. Keep twisting the paper so it’s tight against the cylinder without ripping. Then, stick a piece of tape around the twisted part of the wrapping paper to hold it in place. Finish up by fluffing out the excess paper at the end to make the gift look similar to a candy wrapper. ^{[3]
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- This method works best for cylinder-shaped gifts that do not need to stand upright.
4
Tie the ends with ribbon. Add some decorations and finishing touches with a few pieces of ribbon. Tie a piece into a bow around the twisted part of wrapping paper on each end of the gift. ^{[4]
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Expert Source

Amy Guerrero
Arts & Crafts Specialist

Expert Interview. 9 October 2020.}
- Use a ribbon that matches or complements the color of the wrapping paper you used for a nice, professional look.

Method 2

Method 2 of 5:

Folding Pleated Ends

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1
Measure and cut the paper so it can wrap around the cylinder. Place the gift at the edge of your wrapping paper and hold the paper in place. Roll the cylinder until the paper wraps around it entirely, and mark the paper so it has a ¹ ⁄ ₂ in (1.3 cm) overlap. For the ends of the gift, fold up the paper on either side to ensure it reaches the center from each side. Once you have the measurements done, cut the paper with some scissors. ^{[5]
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- When in doubt, cut a little more paper than you think you need. Trimming off the excess is much easier than trying to attach more paper.
- Use a thicker, more durable wrapping paper since it won’t tear as easily.
2
Wrap the paper around the cylinder and tape it in place. Lay the wrapping paper so the decorative side is face-down, and set the gift in the center. Make a small ¹ ⁄ ₄ in (0.64 cm) fold along one of the long edges of the paper. Stick a strip of double-sided tape along the fold. Then, wrap the unfolded end of the paper around the cylinder. When you reach the folded end, press the tap against the loose end of the paper to secure it. ^{[6]
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- It’s okay to use single-sided tape in a pinch. Just hold the paper tightly as you wrap it around the gift. Attach the tape where the edges overlap so it only sticks to the paper.
3
Fold the loose paper on the cylinder’s ends to form pleats. Start with one end of the gift. Push the seam of the wrapping paper toward the end’s center with your thumbs. Hold down the part you just folded with one finger, and use your other hand to pull the loose edge of the paper toward the center. The paper pattern will start looking like a fan with pleats. Continue folding around the cylinder until the end is completely pleated. Put a piece of tape in the middle to secure the pleats. ^{[7]
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- After you finish one end, flip the gift over to fold in the other end.
4
Cover the ends with scrap paper to hide the folds. Cut out a small circle of wrapping paper, either using the same paper or a complementary color, for each end of the gift. Put a piece of double-sided tape on the back of the circle and press it over the pleats to cover the folds and give your present a clean, professional look. ^{[8]
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- It’s okay to leave the pleats uncovered if you like how they look.
5
Finish your present with a bow or ribbon . Stand the cylinder-shaped gift upright and place it on the center of a long piece of ribbon. Pull the ribbon up the side of the gift and tie a knot in the center at the top. Cut the ribbon so that there are two long tails of ribbon on either side. Then add a bow to the center of the gift on top of the ribbon knot. ^{[9]
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Expert Source

Amy Guerrero
Arts & Crafts Specialist

Expert Interview. 9 October 2020.}
- Curl the ribbon and let it hang down the sides of the gift to make your gift pop out.
- Alternatively, put a bow on the top of the gift without adding a ribbon for a simpler look.
- Choose a bow and ribbon that complement the color of the wrapping paper. For example, if you are using red paper with gold stars, you may want to use a gold ribbon and a gold bow.
- You could also tuck foraged foliage into the ribbon to make your gift look gorgeous. ^{[10]
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  Expert Source
  
  Amy Guerrero
  Arts & Crafts Specialist
  
  Expert Interview. 9 October 2020.}

Method 3

Method 3 of 5:

Making a Gift Sack

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This method works best for cylinder-shaped gifts that can stand upright, such as a bottle or jar. Lay out a large sheet of wrapping paper that’s thick and can support the weight of the gift. Set the gift so it’s standing up in the center of the paper.
2

Pull the opposite corners together at the top of the gift. Grab the 2 opposite corners of wrapping paper and pull them together so that they meet over top of the gift. Hold the 2 corners in place, and slowly bring the remaining 2 corners up to meet them. Pinch all the corners together with your finger and squeeze the paper close to the gift.
3
Fold the paper into pleats at the top of the gift. Pinch a small section of the paper on top and fold it down onto the center of the cylinder’s end. Smooth the paper on the side of the gift out and pull the edge of the paper tight. Work your way around the top of the cylinder until the folds look like a fan. Then, just put a piece of tape down over the pleats to hold them down.
- Pleating the top of your gift gives it a more professional look than leaving the paper bunched up on top.
- If there’s excess paper at the top that overhangs the edge of the gift, trim it with a pair of scissors.
Once you have folded the paper at the top, tie a ribbon around the paper to hold it in place and add some decoration to your gift. Try to pick a ribbon that matches or complements the colors that are already on the wrapping paper. ^{[11]
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Expert Source

Amy Guerrero
Arts & Crafts Specialist

Expert Interview. 9 October 2020.}

Method 4

Method 4 of 5:

Using a Gift Bag

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1
Cover the gift with tissue paper . You don’t have to wrap the tissue paper in a fancy way since it will be hidden in the gift bag anyway. Tightly pull the tissue paper around the gift so the person you’re giving it to can’t easily peek into the bag to see what it is. Then, just tape the tissue paper to secure it around your gift. ^{[12]
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- Gift bags are a great choice if you want to wrap your gift without tape .
Make sure you use a gift bag that fits the size of the gift so it doesn’t stick out of the top. Gently set the item in the gift bag and slowly lift it from the table to make sure the bottom doesn’t break. If the bag supports the weight, then it’s perfect to use.
3
Set the gift inside the bag. If you’re wrapping a fragile gift, add a few pieces of tissue paper to the bottom of the gift bag to provide extra cushioning. Either stand the cylinder upright or lay it down along the bottom of the bag. ^{[13]
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- Keep any type of bottle or food product upright so it doesn’t spill inside the gift bag.
4
Finish your gift bag with decorative tissue paper. Layer a few pieces of tissue paper and grab them in the center. Flick your wrist up while holding the paper and smooth out the paper using your other hand. Place the puffed-up paper into the gift bag so the tops stick out from the opening. ^{[14]
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- Choose tissue paper that matches the color of the bag. You can use one color of tissue paper or multiple colors.

Method 5

Method 5 of 5:

Wrapping a Candle

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1
Wrap paper around the candle to measure the length. Lay the candle down on its side on the paper. To find the paper’s ideal length, roll the paper around the candle. Mark where the paper overlaps by about 1–2 inches (2.5–5.1 cm) so you know where to make your cut later on. ^{[15]
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- Try to use thinner paper, as it’s easier to fold and pleat.
Keep the candle lying on its side. Fold the paper over the top of the candle, and mark where it covers half of the candle’s top. Then, repeat the same process for the bottom of the candle to mark the bottom. ^{[16]
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Carefully trim your paper into a rectangle with a pair of scissors. Err on the side of caution and leave about ¹ ⁄ ₄ inch (0.64 cm) of excess paper along the edge so you don’t trim it too small. ^{[17]
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Lay the candle on its side, and simply roll the paper around the candle. Add a piece of tape to the edge and press it down to secure the wrapping. It's okay for the excess paper to still stick out from the top and bottom of the candle for now. ^{[18]
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Start with the bottom of the candle so you create a sturdy base when you’re done. Hold your candle upside-down and press the seam in with your thumb. The excess paper will fold into a small triangular pleat on the end. ^{[19]
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Work your way around the bottom of the candle to make pleats. As you create new folds, hold the old creases down with your other fingers to create neater lines. Once you’ve folded down all the excess paper, tape the bottom so the folds stay put. ^{[20]
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- Use double-sided tape if you want to tuck excess paper under and avoid seeing it. Otherwise, regular clear tape will work fine.
Start with the inside corner of the excess paper, and press it in. Try to keep the folds even as you work your way around, and tape the excess down when you’re finished. ^{[21]
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8
Decorate your candle wrapping with bows or ribbons. Tie a piece of brown twine, a colorful ribbon, or a bright bow around your candle to add pizzazz. If you’re going for a professional or artisanal look, add a branded round sticker to the top of the candle or on the side.
- To top off the candle, cut a circle of colorful paper slightly smaller than the area of the candle’s top. Attach the circle with double-sided tape if you want to hide the spot where the pleats meet up.

Expert Q&A

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Question

What can I use instead of wrapping paper?

Amy Guerrero
Arts & Crafts Specialist
Amy Guerrero is an Arts and Crafts Specialist and the Owner of Sunshine Craft Co., a crafting studio based in Phoenix, Arizona. Amy specializes in macrame, DIY crafting, and teaching fiber arts. She offers monthly in-person and online workshops along with having developed a range of DIY craft kits for at-home projects. Amy holds a BS in Industrial Design from Philadelphia University. She worked as a graphic designer before starting her own business. Sunshine Craft Co. is a creative hub that offers a wide range of workshops, tools, and resources for any craft project to inspire creativity and community engagement.

Amy Guerrero

Arts & Crafts Specialist

Expert Answer

You don't need wrapping paper to wrap a gift. You can use a scarf, bandana, or tea towel as a practical way to beautifully wrap a gift.

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Do you think putting a cylindrical gift in a box and wrapping it normally is necessary?

wikiHow Staff Editor
Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

If you want to disguise the shape of the gift, putting it in a box will make it tougher for the person to guess what it is. Otherwise, you can wrap a cylindrical gift on its own with any of the methods above.

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