Sometimes, you have something nice to present to someone but are short on time or resources, like wrapping paper or even a box. That’s when frustration sets in: how to present your gift neatly and make it leave a lasting impression?

For moments like these, here is a simple DIY craft: an instant paper gift pack that looks attractive and keeps your present secure. With just a few basic supplies, you can create it within minutes. Let’s get started.

Items you need:

1. A sheet of thick coloured paper or card

2. A ribbon

3. Punch machine

4. Scissors

5. Pencil

6. Ruler

Directions:

1. Using a pencil and ruler, measure 6 cm in from both the left and right edges of the paper. Draw straight vertical lines along these marks; picture 2.

2. Measure 6 cm down from the top edge and 6 cm up from the bottom edge of the paper. Draw straight horizontal lines along these marks; picture 3.

3. You should now have two parallel lines running vertically and two parallel lines running horizontally, forming a rectangle in the middle; picture 4.

4. Between the two vertical lines, draw a triangle in the middle section formed by the horizontal lines; see picture 5.

5. On both the left and right edges of the paper, cut away the top and bottom portions that are outside the vertical lines you marked; see picture 6.

6. Cut away the extra paper on both sides of the triangles you drew, leaving the triangle shapes intact; picture 7.

7. Fold along all the lines you marked earlier, pressing firmly so that the sides stand upright and the base remains flat; see picture 8.

8. Punch a hole in the upright triangles and both the standing sides of the pack, which makes a total of 6 holes; see picture 9.

9. Now, tie a knot at one end of the ribbon. Insert the ribbon from the hole in the top triangle, leaving the knot outside so it stays in place, picture 10.

10. Bring the two ends of the ribbon down — one to the left and one to the right, insert each end through the side holes (in from one hole, out through the other); picture 11.

11. Finally, bring both ends of the ribbon to the bottom triangle and pull them out through the hole so they are on the outside. Place your present inside, tighten the ribbon to close the pack and then tie a bow; see pictures 12 and 13.

The writer can be contacted at ithecraftman@gmail.com

Published in Dawn, Young World, August 16th, 2025