What's with gift bags?

There is a new kid on the block, according to what I’ve read. Retailers are reporting that the sales of gift bags are steadily growing. People who track this sort of thing say that gift bag sales will top 400 million this year, and that doesn’t count Santa’s special year end order - heck, he probably makes his own. The growing popularity is attributed to changing lifestyle. It’s quick and easy and many people just don’t feel they have the time or skill to wrap a gift. Many retailers are geared up at this time of year to make it as easy as possible for shoppers. Free boxes for the asking and wrapping while you wait. But, dropping it in a bag is sure easy.

The gift bag boom may bring about some changes. Will it replace wrapping paper? Well, we’ll just have to wait and see. The ballpoint sure did send the fountain pen to the retirement home. But they said radio was dead when TV came along. One thing is for sure, we all know that wrapping paper costs too much. Is it possible that a little competition will change this? Let’s hope so.

Statistics show that gift bags already surpass wrapping paper for some occasions. Bags for birthdays and wedding showers are the leader in our dash from store to store culture. Perhaps, Tom Cruise would have gotten a my wedding gift if I’d gone that route instead of procrastinating.

Convenience sure has it’s place, but pulling a gift out of a bag isn’t near as thrilling as unwrapping a box that’s been embellished with a personal touch. One pleasant thought though - as you go about your merry shopping way - paper products are recyclable, or at least biodegradable. Happy wrapping.