Holiday Gifting: The Dos and Don’ts of Gift Wrapping
Gift wrapping can be both a challenge and an art form. You want to show your recipient that you care while making the gifts look professional and attractive. Some people have a knack for it, while others find themselves spending a lot of time tying ribbons around items that don’t want to cooperate.
Wrapping a gift doesn’t have to take hours or involve complicated techniques. With the right tools, it can be fun and straightforward. Here are some tips on how to wrap a gift the right way.
Gift Wrapping 101: Choosing Paper
What paper should you use? Choosing paper is the first step because you can’t have a gift-wrapping party if your wrapping paper has the wrong color or thickness. You might be tempted to grab a scrap of pretty fabric and make it work. You’re better off with plain white or off-white wrapping paper. The key is to choose light colors for summer and winter. Avoid yellows, oranges, reds, and purples because the colors will clash with the gifts. These colors are better for use when making autumn or spring gifts.
Some people choose to use two pieces of wrapping paper instead of one big sheet. Using two pieces of paper allows you to wrap a large item like a gift basket in two steps. First, you wrap it using a smaller piece of paper. Then fold that smaller piece over and use it as the base for another layer of wrapping paper that completely covers the first layer.
Not All Wrapping Paper Is Created Equal
When choosing your wrapping paper, you need to pay attention to the weight. If you’re going to use one sheet of paper, you want the paper to be thick enough so that you can’t easily tear it. Choose heavier papers over lightweight papers.
Next, you need to think about the finish. Consider matte finish papers because they will soak up fewer spills than shiny ones. Look for papers that come in a range of different weights. It’s okay to splurge on expensive papers if you need to.
Finally, look at the patterns and colors of the paper. The lighter the color, the brighter the pattern, and the more decorative the pattern, the better. Choose plain colors for winter wrapping or bright colors for summer wrapping. You don’t want to have a bad case of contrast when it’s time to open presents under trees or in a beach house.
Never Fear the Bow Again
When you finally buy gifts for men and women online, one thing you shouldn’t ignore is the bow. The bow is one of the essential bits of etiquette in wrapping gifts. You might think that the most important thing is to make sure the bow looks good. However, the correct location of a bow is just as important. If you’re using wrapping paper with a pattern, the handles or bows from the side of the package should overlap. You can also wrap a ribbon around one handle and then attach it for extra stability.
Tying bows is an art form. It’s all about patience and a few simple techniques.
You want the bow to be slightly wider than the package, which allows it to hug the item closely and fill in any gaps left by the paper. Doing this creates a pleasing effect on your gift. Don’t worry if you cannot make a perfect bow; the imperfections will become part of the charm.
When adding your personal touch, make sure the message is appropriate. Some people might find it fun to put their names on a gift, but others might take it the wrong way. Therefore, make sure you know your recipient well enough to send them something meaningful with a personal touch.
Then there’s the issue of trimming the paper. If it’s done at all, leave just a tiny amount of paper sticking out from the box and make sure it isn’t torn or ragged looking. You don’t have to cut it if it looks nice. If there is a lot of paper, you might want to chop off the excess and save it for another project.
What Not to Do
Choose strong patterns in an economy wrapping paper that’s too small. If you have a huge item to wrap, wrap it using a sheet of paper. It’ll save you time, and you won’t have to worry about how heavy the paper is.
Also, don’t use bright and bold patterns that won’t go with the rest of your decorations. Finally, avoid using shiny and iridescent wrapping paper because it might get oily or dirty.
Other don’ts are:
- Don’t use too much tape that makes it difficult to open your gift
- Don’t leave blemishes
- Don’t overstuff the box
- DOn’t use an excessively big box for a smaller-sized gift.
Just remember that wrapping gifts should be fun. If you have all the tools you need, you can focus on making your package look nice. Once you’re finished, and your gifts are ready to be opened, it’s just a matter of waiting for the big day.
