My Top Tips for Giftwrapping this Christmas

 

My Giftwrapping top tips!

Everyone has wrapped a gift at some point, birthdays, weddings and of course Christmas. Whether you fall into the ‘carefully unwraps’ category or like many, and its not juts kids ‘the rip it off quickly’ one, seeing a pile of presents under the Christmas tree always makes you smile.

Receiving a beautifully wrapped gift makes whatever is inside even more special. Over the years I have spent many hours wrapping a box ensuring no tape is visible, perfecting a bow and trying to make that impossible awkward shape look…. well, less awkward! I have had some complete disasters – tape not sticking other than to itself, giftwrap so thin it tears the moment it is folded or so thick it doesn’t bend at all. You know the feeling, most of us will have been faced with some or all of these at some point.

Giftwrapping is not an exact science but the techniques ae easy to learn and really can give that polished look. You don’t need to use expensive giftrwap or ribbon to make a gift look amazing, simple brown paper and a bright ribbon, bows and decorations is all you need.

Giftwrapping Top Tips

Once you have ‘streamlined’ the Christmas wish lists to Santa, taking a little bit of time to choose how you’re going to wrap it all up can pay dividends in the end. Here are some top tips on how you can make gift wrapping easier.

1. Choose your wrap

   To keep things easy, wrap the adult gifts in one colour and the kids in something different. Gifts direct from Santa could be wrapped in a third option. Avoid the cheapest rolls, it tears too easily and you only want to be wrapping once! Hit the sales in January, stock up for the following Christmas or add what you need to your weekly shop. Bulk buy then there’s no chance of running out. Don’t rule out tissue paper and cellophane – both indispensable for those awkward shapes including bottles and balls. If you have a regular Phoenix trader, order everything you need in one go – Christmas is available in August!

2. Don’t forget the tape!

   If, like me, you don’t like to see the tape, buy double sided – just tear, peel & stick. I buy mine from Jane Means, its fantastic. Or ditch the sticky tape roll and opt for a handy wrist tape dispenser with the perfectly sized pieces.

3. Wrap on your kitchen counter or at a table.

   Obviously this is dependent on the size of the gift (a bike may be a challenge!) A large flat surface really does make wrapping so much easier and prevents back ache. It’s advisable to put the pets (especially the cat) behind a closed door – they have a fascination with all jobs involving sticky tape, string…..

4. Decorations & Ribbons.

   There are so many options to choose from! Keep it simple with a piece of ribbon and a gift tag. Add a few twigs, pine cones or holly picked up on a walk or rosemary & foliage from the garden. Alphabet letters are fantastic to personalise each gift tied on with ribbon, no need for a tag or a favourite photograph of the recipient. All make excellent options.

5. Pick a time to wrap.   

   This may very well sit alongside the making a cake for a school fundraiser or if you’re early enough constructing that outfit for the Nativity performance i.e. sometime around midnight when the kids are in bed, but if you can, plan time to do it.

6. Get everything together before you start.

   You don’t have time to be hunting around for ribbon or tape, collect everything you need before you start so it’s all to hand. Make sure your scissors are sharp too!

And finally, if all else fails……..get someone else to do it for you! Or book a workshop in 2018 to learn all the techniques you’ll need in time for next Christmas. Details on my website in now.