How to Fold a Gum Wrapper Heart in 9 Simple Steps

Learn how to turn a gum wrapper into a heart–without needing scissors or glue

Co-authored by Devin McSween

Last Updated: March 18, 2023

Is there anything sweeter than making a handmade paper heart and giving it to a friend (or maybe even your crush)? There might be, because you can easily make a heart with something you probably carry around in your back pocket: gum! In this article, we’ll give you a step-by-step walkthrough on how to fold a gum wrapper into a heart. Read on to get this sweet craft started!

Things You Should Know

Fold the wrapper in half lengthwise and fold the right and left sides to the crease.
Bend the corners on each side down to create a V shape on either end. Fold the wrapper in half horizontally so the V points meet.
Fold the right and left sides up at the middle crease so the V points are vertical. Then fold down the points to create the heart.

1

Unwrap the wrapper and take out the gum.

Remove the gum from the wrapper and lay the wrapper flat. Place your gum wrapper on a solid surface and smooth out any creases and folds.^{[1]
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- Gum that comes in long, rectangular wrappers, such as Wrigley’s and Extra, works best for making hearts.
- Both paper and foil gum wrappers work great for this craft.

2

Fold the wrapper in half lengthwise.

Turn the wrapper so it’s vertical and fold the long sides together. When you fold the long sides of the wrapper, the sides should meet together like you’re closing a book. Crease the fold to make a clear indent in the middle of the wrapper. Then unfold the wrapper.^{[2]
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3

Fold each side into the middle crease.

Fold the long, right side to the middle crease you just made. Let the edge of the wrapper just touch the crease. Then, fold the long, left side of the wrapper to the middle crease so that the right and left sides are touching. Crease each fold.^{[3]
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4

Bend the top corners to the center crease.

Fold the top, right corner down so the point touches the middle crease. The folded corner should make a right angle where the side and point meet the middle crease. Fold down the top left corner in the same way so that the folded corners touch at the crease. Crease the folds.^{[4]
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- The top end should now be folded into a pointed V shape.

5

Bend the bottom corners to the center crease.

Fold the bottom, right corner down so the point meets the middle crease. Then, fold down the bottom left corner to the middle crease. Crease the folds.^{[5]
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6

Fold the entire wrapper in half.

Turn the wrapper so that the V points are horizontal and fold it in half. When you fold the wrapper in half horizontally, the top and bottom V points should meet. Crease the fold to make a clear indent in the middle of the wrapper.^{[6]
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7

Fold the right side over itself at the middle crease.

Fold the right side up so that the V point is vertical. The right side should meet the middle crease and create a point at the bottom of the wrapper. Crease the fold to keep the point in place.^{[7]
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8

Fold the left side over itself at the middle crease.

Do the same folds on the other side so that the left V point is vertical. The left and right sides should now touch in the middle. Crease the fold.^{[8]
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- Your gum wrapper should be looking like a heart by now!

9

Fold the top edges down.

To round out the heart, flip it over and fold the pointy corners down. Fold down the right point so that it touches the horizontal line created by the previous corner folds. Then, fold down the left point.^{[9]
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- Your gum wrapper heart is finished!