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.