Curious how to wrap a candle? One of the most foolproof gifts for you to give year-round is a beautiful candle, but many of us struggle to wrap candles — and most cylindrical gifts. Therefore, we’ve collected some of the best methods for wrapping and displaying your candle in all its glory. We’ll illustrate the top techniques ranging from lower to greater difficulty. With a little patience, you’ll learn how to wrap candles like a pro — let's start wrapping!
Easier Technique: Gift Bag or Box
If your go-to wrapping technique for the holidays and special events is to reach for a gift bag or box, we’ve got you covered. Wrapping in a reusable bag or box is one of the most eco-friendly ways to display gifts beautifully from year to year.
1. Choose a bag or box that’s suitable for the size of the candle.
2. If your candle has a glass container, be safe with the gift by wrapping the candle in attractive tissue paper before putting it in the bag.
3. Carefully put the candle wrapped in tissue paper in the bag
4. If you’re using a larger bag, be sure to stuff the interior with plenty of thick, recyclable tissue paper. That way, the candle won’t move around or get damaged.
5. You can save a lot of trees with gift bags. They are reusable, and you don’t need much tissue paper. Just pinch a piece of paper, lower it into the bag, then expand the display end to protect the candle from sight.
A Good All-Around Method: Wrap-and-Gather
If you want to learn how to wrap candles vertically in an upright position, the wrap-and-gather is ideal. You can use wrapping paper, decorative tissue paper, or fabric instead of paper for this one.
1. Very little cutting is required for the wrap-and-gather technique. Just lay a large square piece of fabric, tissue paper or wrapping paper flat on the table with the candle upright in the middle.
2. Gather the four corners of the gift wrap and join them at the top, slightly above the candle.
3. The wrapping can give the impression of a cylindrical shape but you'll want to keep the exact contents a mystery.
4. Now tie the remaining wrapping that is up above the candle with twine or ribbon. Create a bow or just a small knot according to your preferred aesthetic.
Moderate Difficulty: The “Tootsie-Roll” Technique
Most of us have seen gifts under a Christmas tree or on a birthday with the distinctive tootsie-roll or candy wrapper shape to them. Candles are an ideal shape for this unusual wrapping method. Remember: this technique won’t allow you to sit the candle upright.
1. Cut the gift paper so that it covers the whole candle. Leave about a ½-inch excess so you can tape it closed.
2. For this technique, don’t worry about using too much paper. After taping the candle up, you want more excess material. You won’t be doing any complicated folds.
3. Lay the candle on its side and position it in the center of the paper. Then wrap the paper around the circumference.
4. Now, take one end of the excess and gently twist it around somewhat tightly against the bottom of the candle. Twisting too tightly will give you a tear.
5. If your candle has an open end — where the glass container is taller than the candle itself, for instance — slide the candle out from the wrapped paper, flip it over, and slide it back in to repeat the process with the other end. Both sides will be flat.
6. Finally, twist the other end of the “tootsie-roll,” tie a ribbon around it, and display the candle on its side.
More Advanced: Using a Fan Fold
The fan fold is a stylish way to share gifts that might look difficult to execute. But anyone can learn how to wrap candles with a fan fold in a few minutes.
1. Cut your paper to encircle the candle with at least a ½ in overlap for taping.
2. On the paper ends that will cover the candle’s bottom and top, leave 2 inches. The longer this excess is, the trickier the folds will be. But don’t cut them too short--you don’t want to have some of the candle showing.
3. Tape the round seam, then choose the top or bottom to start folding.
4. The fan fold requires two motions: fold one end of the paper to the bottom, then grab the excess that sticks up because of the fold, and fold that piece down.
5. The process of folding makes triangular pieces of paper called pleats. Once you’ve folded one pleat, move down 1 inch, repeating until the candle’s bottom surface is covered.
6. Repeat the fan fold on the candle’s reverse end, then apply a bow or ribbon to the top.
Protecting Your Candle
If you are mailing or transporting your candle you will want to make sure you're wrapping candles so they survive the journey intact. You can secure bubble wrap or simple white tissue paper around the candle to give it extra cushioning from bumps and scrapes. A cellophane bag can protect it against moisture.
Conclusion
Candles are some of the most commonly given gifts. With good reason! They’re long-lasting, portable, and, with this guide, we hope we’ve shown that they’re easy to wrap. Or at least more straightforward than they might seem. So, the next time you’re giving a present, try a candle. That way, you can show off your gift-wrapping expertise!
Still not sure? All our candles can be ordered gift wrapped with a personalized gift note included.
You Might Also Like:
Candle Care 101: How to Care For Your Candles
How to Burn a Candle All the Way Down
How to Light a Candle Without a Lighter
The Benefits of Burning Candles
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