I want to stress that I do not celebrate Christmas just so I can decorate my entire house with swaths of garland so fresh the whole first floor smells like a forest and squirrel poop. No, I also celebrate Christmas for more altruistic reasons; the presents.
I like to give ’em, I like to get ’em, but most of all I like to wrap them.
I would like for you to gasp so hard when you see my wrapping that people try to perform the Heimlich maneuver on you, fearing there’s a drumstick wedged in your esophagus. That is my goal. Anything less than that and I’m a disappointment to myself.
Yes, I go overboard. What of it? Need I remind you that you're here too, so chances are you're a bit of an overboarder yourself.
WE are the overboarders. The collection of makers not satisfied with mediocre. We change things, fix them, glitter them and hole punch them. We have at least 3 different types of scissors and entire drawers dedicated to our favourite glues.
That is why you and I are here. And the next time someone says to us "Gee, I wish I had the kind of spare time you must have." we will say to them, "I wish you did too, BECAUSE JUST REMOVING THE PRICE TAG FROM A GIFT DOESN'T CONSTITUTE WRAPPING."
GIFT WRAPPING TIPS
- Invest in one of these WEIGHTED tape dispensers. This one above is nice and heavy (it weighs just over a pound).
- If you don't have a weighted dispenser, pull off enough small pieces of clear tape for the entire present and just stick them to the edge of whatever surface you're working on. That way they're right there to grab.
- To make packages look more finished, always fold under any raw edges.
- If you're planet conscious, choose wrapping paper that doesn't have glitter, foil or cellophane on it. Plain papers, even coloured, can be recycled in most cases. (with bows and tape removed)
- Tape not holding your ribbon? Use a stapler.
- Save the boxes your online items are shipped in. They're perfect (obviously) for wrapping.
- If you don't have online shopping boxes and you need a box, check your cupboards for cracker or cereal boxes.
- If the gift is looking bland, go outside and start trimming. Tuck a sprig of cedar, pine, or spruce into your bow or tie it on the gift alone with ribbon or string.
I've ordered my Christmas paper and am just waiting for it to arrive so this year's wrapping will be revealed soon.
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Magnificent! Too good to,open, maybe that is just the gift, nothing in the box, just the box….
Seasons greetings from the U.K.
GASPING... G ASPING... WOW! I wouldn't want to open the gift. The wrapping is the present!
Can I get onto your gift list? Actually, there doesn't even have to be a gift involved - just pass along a really nicely wrapped box...thanks for all the inspiring ideas. Your wrapped packages are just beautiful!
See my response to Terry. ;) ~ karen!
It’s so seldom done (and I’m guilty of gift-bagging) but your wrappings are a huge part of the gift. You are so talented plus craft-y. Great combination and thank you for your posts.
Thanks Terry! I just think it's fun. ACK! I *just* remembered my custom wrapping paper was delivered this afternoon and I haven't opened it yet. Gotta go! ~ karen
I love thé présents with the white pine cones. Please tell me how you got them to sit so flat on the box. You must cut the bottom off of them. But how do you accomplish that without making a godawful mess? Also, they are glued right onto the box, right? My husband and I are seniors and don’t exchange gifts. And we will have an unruly 4 year old with us at Christmas. But I really want to try this project. Thanks in advance!
Hi Quatorze - I wouldn't have pegged you for more than 14. ;) Here's exactly how I made the pinecone bows. ~ karen!
Thank you for your response when someone wished they had the spare time that you must. I have been told that I must have too much time on my hands after my terrier demonstrated several of her "tricks". What? Spending time doing something that I enjoy is not a waste of time! Too many snarky people out there. Love your gift wrapping! Overboarders unite!
Amen to all of it. ~ karen!
My VERY favourite are your gifts with the snow scenes….absolutely breathtaking! ( so glad you obviously have allll the time in the world , but now with Philip, i am thinking maybe not )..
Yep. That's me!! Just sittin' around looking for something to do most of the time. Sometimes I just sit and count my toes over and over. ~ karen!
As a matter of fact, I DO have at least three scissors. And I keep MOST of my glues in a drawer if they’re inside glues, but I keep epoxy in the garage. One year, after borrowing different types of glue from a couple friend of ours, they gave us a present that included several types of glue and the card said “for a cohesive couple with adhesion problems.” Absolute classic!
I like that card! ~ karen
I must admit the very few packages I have to wrap do look as though they were handled by a pair of rabid badgers. That's kinda why each year I've taken to "Saying it with meat" and letting Omaha Steaks handle everything. That does not mean I'm incapable of appreciating the skills of them what has skills in the magical world of gift wrap artistry.