Christmas Project

We call these new holiday constructions interactive because there is a little work involved. Copied from cut paper art, these dynamic creations are a perfect activity for young folks. Simple tools like small scissors and gluestick are all that’s required.

It only a few minutes it takes to cut out and assemble these tabletop displays. But the 3-dimensional effect will be stand out among your Christmas card display. They also work well as Christmas tree decorations. Add these to your holiday tree for different touch. Or even a gift ornament.

Tabletop Decorations

We wanted to add some new features for the holiday season but things always seem to go slower than planned. We have, however, introduced a new idea that we are excited about. You can find it at the home page as interactive greeting cards.

These are cards that you can print out on your own printer. They are designed with the thought that many folks display the cards they receive during the holidays. These three dimensional constructions will add a delightful touch to your mantle or tabletop.

The Holiday Season

Oh, that twelfth month, it takes the year out with a bang. A recent poll by the American Psychological Association shows that during the Christmas season, gift-giving becomes one of the top five holiday stress issues. Normally work is the biggie but when the holidays roll around priorities change. Gift-giving moves into second place, before “not enough time” and just after “not enough money.”

Many of us get through the year on a good supply of Post-It notes but at this time of the year the only way to survive is to make lists. Even a notebook might be necessary. Being organized is definitely important.

Gift Wrapping Tradition

Gift wrapping has gone through a quit a transformation over time. Centuries ago exotic gifts came in carved wooden boxes lined with silk. Through the ages we still wrap our presents to make them special but our materials have changed.

Also changed is the way we go about it. Because gift giving is such a huge industry it’s easy to find stores dedicated to parties and gift wrapping. In a hectic world it’s a time saver, having these choices in one place. Now, at our fingertips, we have new tools for new possibilities. The home computer and inkjet printer along with software that makes it easier to create and print out original ideas for gift cards and gift wrapping adornments.

And of course there this site with an ever growing collection of gift wrapping ideas that we hope will help you think outside the box.

More to Wrapping

There was a time, not too long ago, when more was less. A simply wrapped gift box would have been the in style. The static rectangle was seen as a something more than functional. We appreciated the beauty of simplicity. But times change and with it comes new ideas about design and the look of everything in our visual world.

Now days packaging plays a big role. Today a gift wrapped box invites creative attention. Even off-the-shelf ribbons and bows may not be enough to satisfy the creative muse when it comes to a special gift occasion. Even though the variety of ribbons and bows is now almost limitless, there is still plenty of opportunity for creative flair. In spite of all the fancy gift accessories available there will always be appreciation for that personal touch. So have some fun by creating a gift wrap that will delight someone.

Life is a collection of moments

Life is a collection of moments I saw some work by a street artist the other day and was reminded of a question that someone had asked me. They wondered why anyone would spend great effort on wrapping a gift when it was going to be torn off and thrown away. If you think about it there are parts of our social experience that exist in our memory as pleasant recollections.

The idea of gift wrapping is quit natural for it adds to the giving experience and the fact that it has a short life span will soon will be crumpled paper is unimportant. To the street artist who is creating masterpieces on the sidewalk with chalk it’s of little importance that the wind will soon blow it away. The artist enjoys what he does and gives freely of his time and talent so that the passerbys can take with them an appreciation of the effort and the simple pleasure of a pleasant thought. And so it is with gift giving. After the present is unwrapped the experience of the moment may be the longest lasting gift.

The right paper

Gift wrapping papers are made to do just that - wrap. Too thin to do much else, it’s the thicker papers the offer the greatest possibilities. Rainbow packs are available in both bond and cover weight. They are impregnated with pigment, not printed on one side. A definite advantage. Be on the lookout for unusual papers. Maybe a little pricey but one sheet can do a lot of embellishments.

Once you start working with heavier paper you will quickly begin to develop your own style of paper art. Wrapping a gift can be just the beginning. Happy cutting.

Fleeting Moment

Isn’t it a strange notion to make something just so it can be torn apart? Wrapping a gift is just that. A beautiful adornment one minute and shambles the next. But when you think how much a ribbon and bow adds to the delight of a gift, it’s easy to understand the good feeling and appreciation that’s added to the moment.

Take music for example. Can you remember when someone played a song for you? Or when you went to a concert? The experience was all so real, right up until the last note and then it was gone. But it’s still there, tucked away in the closet of your mind. Every bit of it, from the first to the last note. And just like that music, the memory of a beautifully wrapped gift is on a shelf, somewhere in that closet.

Fresh gift wrapping ideas

The idea of creative gift wrapping has had a natural progression in history. Since paper replaced clay tablets, bark and hides as a writing surface people have found creative ways to put it to good use. Using ink on paper being the most popular.

But many new inventions, in their beginning, emerged as a novelty as people explored the possibilities. In the far east this would seem likely for paper, where there was a strong appreciation of sublime beauty. Even today the Japanese are known for their skill in origami and paper art. Here is a much admired craft that brings delight to young and old. It’s popularity is evident by the number of books currently in publication, from beginner level to expert. With a little thought this craft can bring a fresh look to your gift wrapping creations. Certainly not a mainstream ribbon and bow alternative, it does offer great new creative possibilities.

The season for giving

The holiday seasons is a time of mixed emotions. On one hand we have the joy of giving gifts to friends and relatives. While at the same time there is that little feeling that we could done more for the ones we love the most.

At the same time there are folks whose lives have been turn upside down by the Gulf Coast hurricanes. These are children and adults who have lost it all and would be thankful for anything. Talk it over with your family and see if there is an interest in sharing with strangers this season.

Fall Brings Change

Fall brings with it a whole string of gift wrapping challenges. And of course as we pass into the Fall equinox the mood changes. As the weather begins to change we are once again reminded of sweaters and coats. Time to redo the wardrobe and check the latest fashions. Time pack away the pastels and look to darker colors.

The mood of gift wrapping changes too. If you are organized, you have paper and accessories in stored in boxes by season, making for a smooth transition. Large plastic boxes for seasonal wrapping paper and accessories makes it easy to be ready. It's time for different ideas and different themes.

Gift of the Month

Magazine subscriptions have been a favorite gift idea since the early 1900’s. It was an idea that made publishing empires almost over night with the help of some very popular writers like Sherlock Holmes’ creator, Arthur Conan Doyle. In fact, when Conan Doyle killed off the famous detective, 20,000 people protested by canceling their subscription to the magazine that serializing the episodes.

A gift that just shows up on your doorstep every month definitely has appeal. It’s nice to have that to look forward each month. And thanks to fast, efficient delivery, the concept has been greatly expanded today. Perishables like flowers and fruit baskets can be included. Along with the old standbys of books and music comes new ideas like chocolate, pizza and beer-of-the-month. For the lazy shopper this is a great way to spread the cheer. To read more on this topic go to articles.

Shopping on line

For many, shopping online is still the edge of the frontier. But the march toward the point and click purchase is inevitable, Web store sales show a steady growth as more and more people turn to this easy alternative. And while it may be difficult for you to accept buying from an online catalog, there will probably come a time when you‘ll have to give it a try.

With 10,000 new consumer products being added to the shelves each year, it’s not possible for your favorite stores to carry everything. Online shopping makes it possible to not only find the product but the color, size and model you are looking for. For gift giving, this can be a great solution. What could be easier than making a selection and then leaving it to the merchant to pack it and ship it? Sometimes they will even gift box it. This is the lazy shoppers dream. For more of online shopping see articles.

Sans bow - a different path

Who says that gifts have to be wrapped in a sheet of paper and a bow? Two sheets can be better than one. And scraps of paper and ribbon can be just as exciting as a store-bought bow.

Just pick two colors that work together. Complimentary for harmony, opposites for excitement. Black and silver for instance or lime green and pink. Once you’ve decided on a color look consider balance - do you want symmetry or unbalanced. One will give you a formal look the other - off balanced, will be more dynamic. With the asymmetrical look a ratio of 1:2 or 3:5 will work well.

With so many magazines and printed material around there is no reason to limit yourself to bows. By snipping colored shapes from magazines you can make your own embellishments. It so easy to personalize a gift wrap project by adding cutouts of flowers and figures. By pasting some of them on thick pieces of cardboard or shaped paper and adding some snips of ribbon you can create a 3-D corsage effect.

The funny wrap

What's your favorite comic strip? You may have noticed; Dagwood and Blondie are having a big anniversary. They're old as dirt but have managed to adapt to the times, still giving us a chuckle with their everyday antics. Thanks to the funny papers we have a small handle to hold on to in a wide sea of grim news.

So recycle your favorite comic strip and use it for wrapping paper. If you have a scanner/printer and Photoshop you can do some tricky things to make the wrap job more unique. Or even with just a few basic tools you can add punch by thinking up your own word balloons and pasting them on.

Color is fun

Pastels are a natural for spring. It gets even better when you have a sheet of rainbow paper to set the mood. A ribbon and bow would have been fine but there was an urge to do it a little differently. This led to using a red net bag - the grocery store fruit kind. It easy to work with, you just need scissors and clear tape. The large pink tissue paper flower was a natural finish.

Wine is a great gift

Isn’t it great when you come up with an idea on the fly.

How many times have you been in a situation, like an invitation to a dinner? You’re running late and you want to bring a gift, a bottle of wine will do just fine, if only there was some way to make it look pretty. Sometimes it just takes a look around the kitchen to find help.

A bottle is an odd shaped gift to wrap , that’s why we’ve included several examples. Here’s one way to do it. By wrapping first with colored tissue paper and then with clear kitchen wrap you can create a very nice gift wrap in no time. A ribbon around the neck will be the finishing touch and you are on your way.

A bright idea

The gift itself can often suggest ideas for wrapping For something like an I-Pod, for instance, day-glo printer paper would work well to create a modern, dynamic look. Sheets are small of course but there are ways to improvise. If multiple sheets are needed, apply like you would if doing a wall papering job. Try mixing colors so that joints are a part of the design. Apply cutout shapes of contrasting colors. Shapes can be snowflake-like designs or torn paper for added interest. This is also a good time to experiment with diagonal strips of paper or ribbon.

Wrapping with cutouts

The old standby, construction paper, is great for adding free form shapes to a gift. So is bright colored printer paper. Try your hand at making flowers and leaves. Or for summer, a tropical bird or fish. Even geometric shapes can be fun. Working with a theme is a great way to put cutout shapes to work. All it takes is scissors, gluestick and a little imagination.

Think Thrifty

Save those odd pieces of paper. Gifts can take on a new dimension when layered with papers of different textures, patterns and colors. A patchwork quilt should give you some ideas. Cut in strips, gift paper can serve as ribbons.

Gift Wrapping Ideas

Paper doesn’t take up much storage space. Saved scraps can lead to creative results when searching for something that will make a present special.

Old magazines, comic pages, calendars and maps can be used for wrapping projects. A department store bag with bold graphics can be transformed with a little creativity.

Wrapping for Spring

Pastel colored papers are a good way to create the spring mood. Add circles of matching colors with magazine cutouts of flowers to form a random pattern. Flowers of multicolored tissue paper are a good trick.

Take Advantage of Bargains

Bargains can be had after the holidays. Keep in mind that plan color wrapping paper can work for other occasions. So can ribbon, string and small objects like beads.