How to Wrap a Book with a Pocket

There’s wrapping a book like a present… and then there’s wrapping a book with a pocket. I shared the directions in an Instagram Reel, but I had a few questions I couldn’t really answer in that format.

Here is a step-by-step guide to showing a fun way to wrap a book with a built-in pocket — perfect for slipping in little extras like bookmarks, stickers, a handwritten note, or even a tiny keepsake.

Supplies you’ll need:

A book (hardback or paperback)
Wrapping paper (Kraft paper works well)
Scissors
Hole punch
Tape
Twine , raffia, or ribbon
Something to put in the pocket

Step-by-step instructions

1. Prepare your paper

Unroll your wrapping paper and place the book in the center. Make sure you have enough wrapping paper on each side to wrap around the book with some extra for the pocket flap. The exact size will depend on your book.

2. Start wrapping your book

Place the book on the paper so that when you fold the left side of the paper over the book, it just covers the book at the edge of the paper.

3. Fold the right side

Now fold the right side into a triangle. This is forming the pocket. Crease the edge and fold over the book. Turn over and wrap each end as you would for a normal gift wrap. Secure with tape; if using heavy kraft paper, you may need to use heavy-duty packaging tape.

4. Turn the book over to reveal the pocket

You could just stop here with the gift wrapping, with enclosing something in the pocket, or you could take it one step further.

5. Add a ribbon edge

Using a hole punch, make an even number of holes along the edge of the pocket. This is why it’s beneficial to use heavier paper, like kraft paper, to support the holes.

Add a piece of tape to the end of the twine. This will make it easier to thread through the holes.

Start at the bottom, thread the twine from inside, and then lace it through the holes to the top. Once you get to the top, take the twine and move down to the bottom, tucking it in and entering the first hole again to be able to tie a bow. Trim the tape off the end.