Gifts galore, cards that say what we can't put into words ourselves, wrapping papers in the most amazing pattern and colour combinations, rolls of perfect ribbon and beautiful bows in every colour and size. Boxes ranging from the tiny ring box (yes please), to the box with a sweet, fluffy, puppy named Chase (or a kitten called pebbles), to the massive ones that might house the surprise arrival of a son or daughter from overseas(the latter 3 gift ideas hopefully only hiding in the box at the last minute!).
And then there are all the paraphernalia for the crafty person who wants to create from scratch the gift, card, and wrapping adornments.
I always want to create the perfect gift-wrapping and Christmas is the perfect opportunity to practice the skill. Somehow the gift-wrap never quite turns out as I imagined, and never quite like the store versions either!
That isn't to say that I don't put in the effort or think about what I want the gift theme to be, but that things like time, cost, and life sometimes interrupt. At other times it just doesn't work out how I expected!
And gift wrapping is not only a Christmas activity, but one done for many different reasons throughout the year: Birthdays; Anniversaries; Weddings; Births; Christenings; New Year, Bar Mitvahs, Hanukkah...well there are so many occasions and reasons for the giving of gifts.
I think a well-wrapped gift says so much about how you care. Your attention to detail, and the fact that you have taken time to select not only the perfect gift but the perfect wrapping, and the way you have lovingly presented that special gift specifically and personally to that person is an extension of how you feel about them.
Somehow, mine never quite hits the mark for me and I wish I had taken extra time and care. I was reminded of this the other day when we had a children's party to attend and I was attempting to gift-wrap an item of non-uniform thickness, with uneven sides, an odd-shaped middle, and to top it off the gift was soft in many areas. Needless to say, gift frustration abound. I whispered to myself that the wrath of wrapping was ridiculous and solemnly swore to investigate the process well in advance of Christmas and any other birthdays so that I would enjoy the process and find pride in the finished product.
I know I can't, simply cannot, be the only person in need of ideas and guidance! Thus, this post eventuated. My investigations have revealed a plethora of web-stops and useful tips and tricks to creating that perfect gift-wrap with the greatest of ease, and, in fact, the greatest pleasure!
I share my favourites and most importants as a basically novice gift-wrapper!
1. First, and foremost, place said gift in a box!!! This makes everything so much easier.
2. Ensuring there are no paper crinkles or creases - the whole wrapping every gift in a box concept will help with that!
3. Next, choose quality wrapping paper, ribbons, and bows! Not only will this help with the actual act of wrapping but the designs and colours are so much more beautiful!
4. Choose ribbon and bows that match the paper or are a fun/pleasant/eye-catching contrast.
5. Ensure each gift has a point of difference. This will make the gift-wrapping more personal. Especially when giving a number of gifts at the same time - such as on Christmas day.
6. (Read that as sixth-sense that is sadly lacking in my set of wrapping senses) Double-sided tape is a friend indeed. Use it often and discreetly and you will feel no wrath!
I found this video had some very useful, logical, tricks to the basics of wrapping a boxed gift.
Equally doable is the lidded box. Simply gift wrap the lid and box first and then place the gift inside the box, - nestled neatly in wrapping tissue papers - place the lid on top, and secure with ribbon(s). The great thing about this idea is that the paper on the body of the box and the lid can be different. A plain paper for the lid and a patterend one for the body, or vice versa. Simple elegance:
I am quite the fan of beautiful plain paper dressed up with ribbons. And ribbon certainly finishes off a plain wrapped box beautifully as you can see above.
This video demonstrates the ease of making a beautiful bow using wired ribbon. Surprisingly straightforward and fast!
If you don't have a huge amount of ribbon on hand, I like the idea of wrapping the box with a piece of ribbon and then securing this with something like a large vintage button or perhaps a piece of vintage fabric with the recipient's name embroidered, stitched, or written neatly, onto it. How simple but elegant would that be. We really are only limited by our imagination aren't we?
A similar example is this:
It's simple but looks so sweet!
Another excellent concept in wrapping is using different paper around the box and using ribbon over the seams. This effect looks lovely done the right way:
But another lovely idea is using a quality plain wrapping paper in a beautiful shade of colour (such as the recipient's favourite colour) and then decorating that box with something like a stick-on decal with a velvet finish. Craft shops have the most amazing array of crafting decals perfect for this purpose. Imagine a hot matte pink gift box with a black and hot pink polka dot ribbon encircling the box. Then, in one corner, or along one edge, and a little matching on the giftcard too, sticking on a black decal.
For example (minus the tatty bow shown!) the overall effect looks something like this:
This idea might also work beautifully with gold decals on white or black paper. It's really all about imagination and trial and error!
And there is so much to be said for black ribbon on plain paper too!
That said, patterned paper equally speaks volumes when you want to say 'hey, you are important to me, and so I wrap your gift in prettiness:
Lest we forget the need for manly wrapping... here are some examples of wrapping gifts of happiness for the man who might not want froofy, fluffy, fuzzy, furry, or heaven-forbid, pink, presents!
Behold, boys! Not a pretty pink bow in sight! You're welcome :)
Nice, right?
I also think a nice patterned paper in greens and browns with plain ribbon in matching colours would look lovely (and manly).
I should like to also note here, that gift bags can also be useful and beautiful and many of the ways to embellish a gift mentioned in this post can be applied to a giftbag equally well!
I love this one:
and this one:
The brilliant thing about giftbags is that they can house a gift that might otherwise be awkward to wrap (or box for that matter) but also that the bag can be reused. You could make a beautiful small or large tote bag and then stitch on your own design. Think calico bag adorned with colourful 3D flowers as you sticth layers onto the leaves and petals using different materials/fabrics, for the recipient who is a gardener. Place garden tools or a garden book inside and voila! the bag is a giftbag and then a garden tool bag or library book bag! Again, you're welcome!
Similarly, gifts that don't require a box should still be lovingly presented to their new owner!
These days, gift cards and money are popular gift items. As a giver of such items sometimes, I feel they are not always very personal, and with their wrapping usually being an envelope of some kind, the most extravagant wrapping is not always required nor easy. However, there are always interesting ways to personalise any gift and the following offer some ideas on how to make just such gifts more personal and beautiful!
It's all in the wrapping! This might just be an argument for judging a book by it's cover in a positive way!
You don't have to use a standard envelope, or card for that matter.
What is more beautiful and personal than a handmade card and envelope? For inspiration, simply use google images and search 'handmade card ideas' and a beautiful array of examples will abound. This should provide good food for thought and the detail that some dedicated websites provide, means even the most uncreative person will feel creative inspiration!
Personally, I love the look of 3D cards created by piecing together different elements onto card. For example, layering a story (such as a Christmas theme, age theme, interest theme) onto the card cover using different materials, colours, shapes, and techniques can be eye-catching.
Feast your eyes on this sweet thing:
What I really love about this card is that simple folds and different cuts and colours of card, a matching colour theme, and the use of pretty ribbon and antique buttons, makes for a simple, yet beautiful and personal touch to a card. Making an envelope in matching greens with a simple matching adornment such as a single button or ribbon would perfectly dress this beautiful card and the giving of a gift card or money is suddenly very personalised and more special!
Here is another gorgeous and very elegant - yet so simple to create - gift card. Receiving the card alone would be so lovely - but since this post is about wrapping, imagine popping a lovely handmade bookmark into this card and gifting to a book-lover? Perfect, right?.
How about embellishments, like gingerbread men, at Easter? I think the example below would look lovely on a card!
Another equally brilliant idea that I have wanted to try forever but have never had the time to is to cut different fabrics to create a simple (or more detailed) picture and then sew this onto the card with a sewing machine (easier to do this with a machine than by hand when dealing with card) and bright thread. For example, a birthday card might have a recipient's intitial large and in patchwork quilt style. Or for Christmas, a fireplace, with lovely adorned mantle, complete with roaring fire and christmas stockings hanging down and half of a christmas tree at the edge of the card, with little bright and colourful baubles. Throw the gift voucher in there and you are serving the perfect personalised gift.
E.g.:
P.S. I love that I can find almost everything I am trying to say, in an image in google! I can't wait to find free time enough to be able to provide my own images of my own projects!
Enough cannot be said for a touch of handmade. The thought, time and effort put into handmade gift wrappings (and gifts for that matter) speaks volumes - I mean probably completely removes the need for words! Except to say: I don't know what to say...
I should also like to mention the importance of personalising the card with dedicated words - yes, it is a gift's wrapping in terms of this blog, but don't forget the importance of a written note too! It can be as simple as:
E, I love you. . xx - says it all, really, in so many ways!
or...
Merry Christmas Elizabeth, your smile lights my heart like the brightest Christmas star. Mr Darcy
I don't work for Hallmark but you get the idea! Use a little creativity, and make it personal! This post is so much about remembering that adding personal touches and individualising your gift wrapping is just as important as the gift itself - afterall, it is this that makes the first impression, even if the wrapping might be torn to shreds by a 2-year old in under 2 seconds!
Make the gift pop - make the wrapping perfect - unique, beautiful, and finished.
Individualise and personalise!
tt&e - creative brilliance in unwrathing the wrapping of your gifts!
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