Brooke Martin
Candles are a popular gift choice due to their portability and longevity. However, their unusual cylindrical shape can make them challenging to wrap. This guide will teach you how to gift wrap a candle like a professional, ensuring it survives the journey to your loved one intact and looks beautiful under the Christmas tree or at a birthday celebration. You will learn various techniques, from the simple to the more advanced, including how to protect your candle from bumps and moisture and present it in an eco-friendly, aesthetically pleasing manner.
Characteristics and Values
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Wrapping Material | Tissue paper, bubble wrap, cellophane bag, gift bag, box, wrapping paper, fabric |
| Preparation | Measure and cut wrapping paper to size, allowing for excess |
| Placement | Lay candle on its side in the centre of the paper, or upright if using fabric |
| Wrapping Technique | Wrap paper around the circumference, gather fabric at the top |
| Securing | Twist excess paper at the bottom, tie fabric with twine or ribbon |
| Protection | Use bubble wrap or tissue paper for cushioning during transport, stuff larger bags with tissue paper |
| Eco-Friendliness | Reusable bags or boxes, recyclable tissue paper |
| Aesthetics | Create a bow or knot with ribbon, use attractive tissue paper |
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What You'll Learn
Wrapping paper, tissue paper, or fabric
Wrapping paper, tissue paper, and fabric are all great options for wrapping a candle, and there are several ways to do so. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to wrap a candle using these materials:
Wrapping Paper
- Cut the wrapping paper: Ensure the paper is 6 inches (15 cm) taller than the candle. Measure the candle's circumference, add 1/2-1 inch (1.3-2.5 cm), and cut the paper to length. Then, measure the candle's height, add 6 inches (15 cm), and find the width. Cut the paper to size with scissors or a craft knife.
- Prepare the candle: Place the candle in the centre of the paper, laying it on its side. You can use double-sided tape along the side edge of the paper to secure the candle.
- Wrap the candle: Roll the candle towards the other end of the paper, wrapping it up. Seal the overlapping edge with tape. Be careful not to shift the candle inside the paper.
- Twist the ends: Take one end of the excess paper and gently twist it tightly against the bottom of the candle. Repeat for the other end. If your candle has an open end, slide the candle out, flip it over, and slide it back in to repeat the process.
- Decorate: Decorate the wrapped candle with ribbons or bows. Choose colours that match the occasion, such as bright colours for a festive look or muted tones for a classy presentation.
Tissue Paper
- Prepare the candle: Clean the candle with a cloth to remove any dust or residue. If there are any labels, carefully remove them, using rubbing alcohol for any stubborn adhesive. Trim the wick to 1/4 inch to avoid fire hazards.
- Measure and cut the tissue paper: Place the candle on its side at one edge of the tissue paper and roll it across to measure. Add about 2 inches of extra paper on each end of the candle. Cut the tissue paper to size with scissors or a craft knife.
- Apply glue: Use a brush to apply a thin layer of decoupage medium or craft glue to the side of the candle. Cover the entire surface.
- Wrap the candle: Place the candle on the tissue paper and slowly roll it onto the paper, smoothing it down as you go. Avoid overlapping the tissue paper to prevent bulkiness.
- Smooth and remove wrinkles: Use a bone folder or similar tool to smooth out any wrinkles in the tissue paper before the glue dries.
- Remove air bubbles: Gently rub over the tissue paper with your fingers or a bone folder to remove any air bubbles.
- Apply a sealer: Add a sealer or top coat to provide durability and shine. It will also protect the tissue paper from dust and grime. Let the glue dry completely before handling the candle.
Fabric
- Prepare the fabric: Choose a large square piece of fabric that is big enough to lay the candle upright in the middle.
- Gather the fabric: Place the candle upright in the middle of the fabric. Gather the four corners of the fabric and join them slightly above the candle.
- Secure the fabric: Tie the fabric above the candle with twine or ribbon. Create a bow or a simple knot according to your preferred style.
These methods provide creative and unique ways to wrap a candle using wrapping paper, tissue paper, or fabric. Each technique offers a different look, from the traditional wrapping paper twist to the elegant fabric gather, allowing you to customise your gift presentation.
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Using a gift bag
Gift bags are a great eco-friendly way to wrap a candle without the need for tape. First, choose a bag that is large enough to hold your candle and strong enough to support its weight. If your candle has a glass container, it is a good idea to wrap it in tissue paper before placing it in the bag. You can also fill out the bag with recyclable tissue paper to prevent the candle from moving around and getting damaged.
To wrap the candle in tissue paper, lay a few sheets of tissue paper on a table and place the candle on its side on top. Fold the tissue paper over the candle until it is completely covered. You can use one to two layers of tissue paper. Then, place the wrapped candle into the bottom of the gift bag.
If you are using a larger bag, be sure to stuff the interior with plenty of thick, recyclable tissue paper. This will prevent the candle from moving around and getting damaged. You can also decorate the gift bag with extra tissue paper. Lay a piece of tissue paper flat on your table, or layer multiple pieces so the corners are offset. Pinch the tissue paper in the middle and fluff it up. Place the tissue paper inside the gift bag so it covers the candle, with the fluffed ends sticking out from the top.
If you want to wrap a candle in a gift bag without using tissue paper, you can use wrapping paper. First, cut the wrapping paper down to size by rolling it around the width of the candle, creasing where it meets, and then cutting on this crease. Then, slide the candle to one end and fold the paper so that it covers a little over half of the candle's base. Repeat on the other side, creasing where the excess starts, and then cut on the crease. Tape the middle of the candle closed, leaving the top and bottom open. Turn to the bottom of the candle and hold down the flap that is underneath. Pinch and fold down adjacent pieces so that they form an overlapping pleat pattern. Once you've folded the entire base, secure it with tape. Repeat this process for the top of the candle.
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Protecting the candle with bubble wrap
Firstly, choose an appropriately sized box for the candle. This is crucial as it prevents the candle from shifting too much during transit, which could otherwise result in cracked wax, broken glass, or dents. If the box is too big, the candle may slide around and sustain damage. Therefore, select a box that snugly accommodates the candle.
Next, wrap the candle in bubble wrap. Secure the bubble wrap around the candle, ensuring it is tightly wrapped and there are no loose ends. This layer of bubble wrap will act as a cushion, protecting the candle from impact and reducing the risk of breakage.
If you're using a larger box or want to add extra protection, you can also line the interior of the box with recyclable tissue paper for additional padding. This extra cushioning will help fill any gaps and prevent the candle from moving around.
Finally, seal the box securely. Ensure that the box is properly closed and, if necessary, tape down the flaps to prevent them from opening during transit. Now your candle is protected by bubble wrap and ready for mailing or transportation!
By following these steps, you can be confident that your gift will arrive safely and intact, ready to be enjoyed by the recipient.
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Tying with twine or ribbon
When it comes to tying with twine or ribbon, there are a few simple steps to follow. Firstly, cut the gift paper so that it covers the whole candle, leaving a small excess of about half an inch so you can secure it with tape. Don't worry about using too much paper as you won't be doing any complex folds. Lay the candle in the centre of the paper, then wrap the paper around its circumference. Take one end of the excess paper and twist it gently but tightly against the bottom of the candle.
Now for the twine or ribbon: take your chosen material and tie the remaining wrapping above the candle. You can create a bow or a simple knot, depending on your preferred style. This technique will leave your candle laying on its side, so bear in mind that it won't be able to sit upright. This is a great method for those who want to avoid complicated folds and create a unique, distinctive look.
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Mailing and transportation
When mailing and transporting a wrapped candle, there are several important steps to follow to ensure it arrives intact and on time. Firstly, choose a box that is a few inches larger than the wrapped candle on all sides to allow for packing and cushioning. Corrugated cardboard is a great choice due to its durability, and it is important to check the weight limit of the box to ensure it can hold the candle. If reusing a box, cover or remove any old labels, barcodes, shipping labels, and addresses, and ensure there is no water damage or weakened areas.
Next, surround the wrapped candle with at least one inch of packaging material and cushioning on all sides, with two inches being ideal. You can use bubble wrap or tissue paper to protect the candle from bumps and scrapes, and a cellophane bag can provide protection against moisture. Always wrap and protect the candle separately, and if using a larger bag, stuff the interior with recyclable tissue paper to prevent the candle from moving around and getting damaged.
For extremely fragile candles, consider using two boxes with double the padding. Place the wrapped candle in a smaller box with packing material, and then place that box inside a larger shipping box with an additional layer of cushioning. This will provide extra protection during transport.
When your box is packed and ready to go, seal it correctly using clear packing tape, as this will hold the box together strongly. Use the "H" method by taping along each seam to form an "H" on both the top and bottom of the box, reinforcing all seams.
Finally, bring your package to your nearest postal service provider, such as PostNet, where you can get help choosing the best carrier, set up insurance for your package, and send it off to its destination. Remember to follow any special packaging requirements and restrictions, such as those for perishable items or items containing lithium batteries.
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Frequently asked questions
The easiest way to wrap a candle is to put it in a bag or box. Choose a bag or box that is suitable for the candle size and if the candle is in a glass container, wrap it in tissue paper first for safety.
Lay the candle in the centre of a large piece of wrapping paper, tissue paper or fabric. Gather the paper/fabric and join it together at the top, above the candle, securing with twine or ribbon.
Wrap the candle in bubble wrap or tissue paper to protect it from bumps and scrapes. You can also use a cellophane bag to protect the candle from moisture during transportation.
The wrap-and-gather method is ideal for wrapping a candle in an upright position. Place the candle upright in the centre of a large square piece of fabric, tissue paper or wrapping paper. Gather the four corners of the paper/fabric and join them at the top, securing with twine or ribbon.
