That's A Wrap
Peggy Courtney from Spring was a finalist in the 12th Annual Scotch Brand Most Gifted Wrapper Contest.
Finals were Dec. 5 in New York City.
Good things may come in small packages - but for many, the style and care with which the package is
wrapped is a telling indication of the gift-giver's true sentiment.
According to the experts, the best gifts build anticipation from the recipient long before the wrapping paper
is removed and the hidden gift is revealed. In some cases, an artistically wrapped gift, personalized for the
receiver, is more memorable than the gift.
"Everyone loves elaborately wrapped gifts," said Peggy Courtney, owner of Tuscany Accents gift shop in
Old Town Spring. "Nicely wrapped packages stay under the tree for a long time before Christmas. They
add to the holiday spirit."
Personalized wrapping also makes the gifts standout from other packages. Young boys, for example, love
Matchbox cars on a track made of ribbon. Glitter and inexpensive accents make the package infinitely
more desirable than plain paper and a bow.
"The little extras really excite kids," Courtney said. "They want to play with cars right away, but they have to
wait until Christmas."
Personalization of gift wrapping may take a little more time, but it's appreciated by the recipient, Courtney
said, but it need not be expensive.
"You can add images cut from magazines, leaves, feathers or small, inexpensive items from the dollar
store," Courtney said. "It's all about appealing to the hobbies or interests of the person you are giving the
gift."
The Internet offers a wide range of innovative ideas for festive gift giving options. The site
www.boakart.com/wrap offers an interesting array of wrapping techniques and styles.
Combining color tones and textures are one way to help a gift stand out, according to site
recommendations. The use of unique and unusual materials is another.
The Sunday comics, for example, can make an interesting and colorful wrapping paper when accented
with bows and ribbons. Torn or deckle cut edges can be an interesting alternative to traditional straight
edges on paper.
Odd shaped gifts can be wrapped in fabric and tied with a bow, for example. In Japan, for example, many
gifts are wrapped in fabrics rather than paper. The cloth can become a traditional holiday element used
year after year between friends or family members.
Different Christmas wrapping paper can be used in combination on the same package, separated by a
contrasting ribbon. In many cases, large or difficult to wrap gifts aren't encased in paper at all. Large
colorful bows are often added to bicycles, cars and other gifts as festive ornaments.
"There really aren't a lot of rules that have to be strictly followed," said Courtney. "It's all about creating a
visually appealing design that attracts attention and interest."
Whatever materials are selected, experts recommend setting aside a specific time and place to wrap
presents. Tips include:
Have an adequate, level space in which to work.
Make sure to remove all price tags.
Have small pieces of tape pre-cut and ready to use.
Keep the paper and the package straight and square.
Make clean folds and keep the paper under tension when tape is applied.
Keep tape to a minimum - novice wrappers use too much tape.
Consider hot glue or contact cement as an alternative to tape.
Add gift labels as you wrap each gift to avoid confusion.
Adding labels as gifts are wrapped is particularly important. Otherwise, many thoughtfully wrapped gifts
might have to be opened to remind the giver for whom they were intended.
Once wrapped and properly personalized, gifts to local recipients are ready for a spot beneath the tree. For
presents traveling across the country or around the world, they need to be prepared for handling by the
post office or commercial delivery services.
While wrapped packages do not always have to be placed in a box, most will find that is the most
convenient way to send presents. Experts have some suggestions for this part of the Christmas
experience.
Make sure the recipient address, return address and postage are on one side of the parcel only.
The postal service and shipping companies do not recommend wrapping parcels in brown paper - it can
become loose and separated from the package.
Do not tie string around packages - it hangs up on automatic sorting machines.
Use packaging or strapping tape, not cellophane or duct tape.
Identify fragile, liquid or perishable contents on the outside of the parcel. Do not reuse boxes that bear
hazardous material markings.
For some, Christmas wrapping is a nuisance task of obligation that goes with the gifting process. Others
see festive paper and personalized accents as an opportunity to add to the sentiment of the season.
For those that have neither the time nor inclination to pursue elaborate wrapping, experts recommend
shortcuts that don't shortchange the recipient. Many retailers sell fanciful holiday gift bags into which the
present can be placed and on top of which can be added colorful tissue paper. The process is simple, but
the visual impact still compelling.
As enticing as elaborately wrapped and personalized packages might be, they are not the only answer.
Many adults can be reduced to tears by a gift hand wrapped by a child - particularly a relative - with simple
crayon drawings on the exterior. The additional effort provided by a grandchild is often far more important
than whatever lies beneath the holiday ribbons and bows.
MOST gifted wrapper
Peggy Courtney, owner of Tuscany Accents in Old Town Spring, was a finalist in the 12th Annual Scotch
Brand Most Gifted Wrapper gift wrapping contest held last weekend in New York City at Rockefeller
Center. In addition to wrapping items purchased at the store, Courtney offers personalized gift wrapping to
the public: 10 packages for $55; 20
packages for $75 and 30 packages for $95. For information, visit www.tuscanyaccents.com
or call (832) 576-4930 or (281)288-9310.
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