Key Points:

• Have fun! Gift Wrapping is a wonderful way to express your creativity.
• Set the mood with music - relaxing or upbeat, meditative or playful.
• Spreading the materials out can inspire you and get the creative juices flowing.

Tips:

• Match paper and ribbon.  Look For subtle background colors on the paper that can be high lighted by using the same color ribbon.
• Consider using contrasting colors that look good to your eye.
• Pay attention to inside - once the package is open - how will it look inside?
• Matching the color of tissue to the gift-wrap can highlight the gift inside.  Even a simple gift that is beautifully wrapped feels like a treasure.
• When wrapping a box (or anything with sharp edges) it is a good idea to wrap the box with tissue first.  This will protect the wrapping paper from tearing and you can use the tissue to continue a theme.  For example, angel tissue paper with angel wrapping paper.  Or, colored tissue that brings out a color used with the wrapping paper.
• When using metallic paper, consider hiding the tape by rolling it and making it double sided (or used double sided tape).  Satin finish tape is best.
• Mix your media.  For example, if wrapping several gifts for a household, consider wrapping some in tissue or using gift bags or tins to add variety.
• Sticking with a color or texture theme can also be very attractive, i.e., jewel toned metallic paper with elegant ribbon in several shades looks beautiful resting together under a tree.

Money Saving Ideas:

• Use the Christmas or Holiday decorated paper and gift bags from the department stores for wrapping paper. Often department stores and other shops have decorated bags to put your packages in.  Some are very nice and can be great for wrapping gifts.
• If the store offers complimentary gift-wrap ask for the paper and ribbon and tissue so that you can wrap it creatively at home.  You can do this even if the item you purchased is not something you intend to wrap.  You may choose to use the materials for something else.  As a customer you are entitled to the service and it is your choice how you want to use it.
• There are many playful ways to wrap gifts that are unusual and fun to receive.  People enjoy gifts that have been creatively wrapped, e.g., a brown paper bag turned inside out; textured ribbon; colored with crayons…
• Eco choices: pine branches; dried flowers and berries, raffia ribbon, recycled materials…
• Save beautiful ribbon and special paper from gifts you have received, white tissue that comes with clothing, etc.  Gently crumpled white tissue can become attractive filler for a deep box, especially when combined with shredded paper filler or other colored paper.
• Add some pizazz to shredded paper by adding some curled ribbon.
• Purchase holiday materials on sale.  Elegant ribbon, tissue, and paper are often reasonably priced after the holidays are over.  Limit yourself to a few nice items that won’t take up a lot of room.

Happy Holidays, and Blessings to all

© 2010 Heidi Noh-Kuhn, Dare to Dream Visioning