Creative Holiday Gift Wrapping
Dec. 7, 2004 — -- It's the season of giving, but even when you finish buying presents for everyone on your list, you aren't done yet. You still have to wrap and sometimes ship the presents. A creatively wrapped package can be like giving a second gift.
Design expert Chris Madden shares her tips on creating beautifully wrapped gifts and tells you how to deal with some tricky shipping challenges.
And don't forget, if you're mailing presents to loved ones via regular mail, the U.S. Postal Service recommends sending them by Dec. 15. And Hanukkah starts at sundown this evening, so you should use an express service to get gifts to loved ones before that holiday ends.
Design expert Chris Madden's holiday gift-wrapping tips:
Wrapping an elegant or fragile item:
Keep it safe: Use plenty of fabric in the box for an extra layer of cushioning. And don't forget the bubble wrap or styrofoam sheets for protection.
Make it beautiful: A two-tone tulle makes a beautiful package.
A gift within a gift: Use a brooch instead of a bow. It's the hottest fashion accessory right now and adds extra sparkle.
Shipping tip: Pack your box up, and then shake it. If you hear anything moving, it's not packed tightly enough.
Wrapping food items:
Make it festive: Pack with tissue paper inside a decorative cookie or other tin.
Pack it tightly: After all, you can't dunk crumbs in a glass of milk.
Personalize it: This is a great way to get the kids involved by having them add stickers or labels with the recipient's name.
Shipping Tip: Ship overnight to ensure your foods stay fresh.
Wrapping an oversized or unusually shaped gift:
Be creative: Bags are the key to wrapping these gifts. Instead of using plastic wrap, make a vintage storage bag with some inexpensive fabric.
Bonus gift: Use an ornament to embellish the gift, which can then be hung on the tree.
Shipping Tip: To ensure your oversized gift arrives safely, let the professionals pack your gift up. A good way to save time and money is to have the gift shipped directly from the manufacturer in one of their gift boxes.
Other tips:
Give kids a head start: Children have a hard time waiting to unwrap gifts during the family gatherings. Let them sit and "play" with their gifts even before they're unwrapped. Crayons and markers can be removed from the wrap and used to decorate the box. Double stick tape secures coloring page to package, and little bags help keep crayons and markers together and not all over the house.
Gardening gifts: Use packing materials that are recyclable or natural and can be reused. For example, use a garden-themed box with small wreath, ornaments, skeletal leaves and moss on top.
Personalized photo paper: For the ultimate "personalized" wrapping paper, nothing could be more intimate than photo copies of holiday's past, or vacation photos, pets and kids. Simply copy a montage onto a large sheet of paper at your local copy store. You can also add words to the wrap, such as your favorite holiday lyrics or own personal message. Use color or black and white paper.
To find some of the items featured on the segment, you can visit the following Web sites:
www.jcpenney.com
www.containerstore.com
www.michaels.com
www.aifriedman.com
www.ryecountrystore.com