MAGAZINE
December 2009
Gifting Tips
Gift wrapping for most people is one of those chores which is on the ‘to do list’ in the run up to Christmas: If like most people you normally leave it to the last minute and have a fight with a roll of sticky tape and some wrapping paper that seems to tear at the seams each year, take a little advice from us this Christmas, turn down the stress, grab that tape with gusto and take command of your gifts and present them in style showing off the fabulously stylish goddess that you are!
Think quality not quantity!
• Now we’ve all done it – but trust us – the most economical way to do perfect gift wrapping is not by purchasing a 10 metre roll of gift wrap for $2 from your nearest $2 shop – it will only tear and cause you further frustration and take you longer to do – and as we all know, every second counts when you are preparing for Christmas.
• Go for good quality stylish paper – it will be easier to wrap and will be admired for longer by your lucky recipients before being eagerly dishevelled.
• Beware of the heavily flocked or glittered paper – as whilst these often look very beautiful on a rack in the shop, they will cover you in glitter and fluff leaving you looking more Lilly Savage than Lilly Allen, plus they won’t be easy to stick as the tape sticks only to the glitter and the fluff! Not a good idea!
Get creative this Christmas
• Think creatively about your style – why not make your own paper by printing out the words ’ Merry Christmas’ in lots of colours onto A4 paper for smaller gifts, you can even personalise your gifts by including the recipient’s name. This is both cost effective and personal!
• When wrapping make sure to cut the paper to the right size – too much paper will leave you with an untidy gift – and it will cost you more in the long run. Take your gift and place it about 2cm from the edge of your paper and then roll your gift along the paper until you have measured out the length of paper needed.
• Ribbons and bows are a great way to embellish a gift – use contrasting colours – and wrap your gift around all sides and then create a big bow on top.
• If you really want to up the style stakes why not pick up a few beads from your local craft shop and thread them onto thin ribbon and wrap around your gift.
• If you want to go for a more traditional earthy feel to your presents why not use leaves or holly collected from the garden (be sure to cut off any sharp bits first) and use a hole punch to make some holes in them to thread onto a rustic looking piece of cord or rope – this will look great when used with simple brown wrapping paper and then for a flash of colour a red gift tag or an ink stamp will seal the deal.
Hard to wrap?
• Don’t be put off buying something special for someone because it looks like it will be a nightmare to wrap – be creative and ingenious!
• The simplest way to get around the issue is to box the difficult item and then wrap the box. This doesn’t have to be your fancy type of gift box – you can use any old brown box you have lying around – as you are going to wrap it beautifully on the outside.
• Another solution is to use layers of organza or coloured cellophane which can be gathered above your gift and tied with a bow no matter what your gift shape.
No matter how you wrap your gifts this year – take it in stages and remove the stress. Turn it into something fun and put aside an evening or an afternoon and put on a good film, get some nibbles out and spend your time being creatively fabulous. Enjoy it as part of Christmas and give friends and family that extra special feeling of a receiving a gift wrapped with a personal touch.