I think I’m reasonably handy at wrapping presents – far from mastery but beyond a scrumple of paper and metres of sticky tape. However, I’m always on the look out for ways to improve and I spent some time during the Christmas season trying to get my head round the ‘Japanese’ method:

It turns out that it isn’t as easy as they make it look. What I think I’m missing is clear instructions on how to figure out the right size of paper to begin with. Without that, you either end up with a thick wodge of paper to gather as you reach the final turn or discover gaps that reveal the gift inside. I wonder if the much-lauded Japanese department stores start with a regular size box and a pre-cut stock of paper?

I didn’t manage to get the technique down; I’ll have to do some more research and look for opportunities to practise during the year.