Christmas Wrapping

You’ve bought the presents, you’ve made your own gifts, it’s time to wrap them. It seems that people either love or hate wrapping presents.  Some people find it relaxing, others tedious; some think it makes a present, others that it’s a waste of time & money..

Whatever you think, presents must be well presented – particularly Christmas presents. They would just look dreadful under the tree in their manufacturer’s boxes.  The easiest thing to do is to put them in a ready decorated box, or a decorative paper bag – but these cost a fortune. Actually, glittery & festive wrapping papers don’t come cheap either… and they are a waste, as they will be just ripped off in a matter of seconds.

It’s much cheaper (and better for the environment!) to use recycled paper, simple tissue paper or paper bags. These can be easily customised and decorated with glitter-glue, metallic sprays, stickers, stencils etc.. You can even print on them. Choose some festive motives such as stars, icicles, snowflakes – or paint retro colourful geometric shapes onto them. Glossy magazine pages and left-over wallpaper pieces also make excellent wrapping paper!

If you want something trendy and glamorous, wrap your presents with luxurious fabric – pieces of velvet, silk, satin and lace. Tie these with velvet or silk ribbons. For an earthy look, choose hessian, linen, hemp or untreated cotton, tied with thread, wool, rope or straw.

Instead of expensive boxes, you can use hampers, baskets & boxes made of wicker, sea-grass, sisal, bamboo, glass, stone or wood wrapped with wide ribbons and bows.

If you can’t be bothered with all this, or no longer have time to make your own packaging, at least secure your presents with ribbons, threads and cords rather than sticky tape so that people can reuse your wrapping paper.

Make sure that all presents that are displayed in your home are wrapped in a style that fits within your decor theme! Other presents should be wrapped with the recipient’s style or liking in mind!

Good luck and happy Xmas wrapping!