Coding challenge/telethon idea: optimization of Santas giftwrapping department.

We work in Santa's giftwrapping department : some gifts are easy to wrap some aren't.

First the cubical gifts: what are the optimal way to wrap these?

What about wraping a football (sphere). How can you know what pattern you should fold the wrapping paper so you use the least of it?

And gift that have a combination of shapes. How can we wrap these?

Merry Xmas from Norway..