When you’re little, receiving presents is the most amazing event of your life, every time. There’s no sense of care on how you got your gift to be. The only thing that mattered was when you got it and when could you open the next one. Before the box was even in your tiny hands, you ripped off what may or may not have been expensive wrapping paper, the bow tie and ribbon was tossed into the cracks and corners while your mother yells, “Careful! We can reuse it!” and you have no idea who it’s from, as the tag was never to be seen again. You just wanted to play with My Size Barbie before you pass out from all the excitement.
Now you are grown up and appreciate things a little differently, especially the thought that went into not only a gift, but how it was wrapped. Packaging is important in the graphic design community because, in a nutshell, it is what intrigues customers and makes them feel that what they are getting is valuable. The same concept can be applied to gift wrapping – it makes the receiver feel special and the anticipation goes up. Even if you are giving something simple, you will know the presentation made them just as happy. With Chanukah coming up on Dec. 8 and Christmas to follow two weeks later, it’s a good time to start planning who was on your nice list this year. Here are a few ideas to give your presents something special with a few key materials:
PAPER: Skip the grocery stores and large shopping centers for wrapping paper. We have plenty of neighborhood brick and mortar shops who carefully pick out beautiful and well designed paper, and usually from other small or start-up companies who care about aesthetics and packaging. On a budget? A roll of kraft paper and the daily newspaper can go a long way. You can personalize them by adding some drawings to them and adding extra embellishments.
BOWS & RIBBONS: … Are so last year. Baker’s twine and washi tape are hot right now and come in many different colors and patterns. It’s a good way to mix things up, and the great thing about washi tape is that it’s made for paper, so it can easily peel off if you change your mind or need to readjust. Strapped for cash? Twine typically comes in rolls of 240 yards and will last for years, which is great for wrapping presents for other events in the off-holiday season. Walking around outside may inspire some present toppers too. Try adding pine cones, pine needles, leaves and twigs to the top. Cutting out snowflakes are a fun way to garnish your gift as well.
CARDS & TAGS: Don’t forget that a personal touch can add sentiment. Sometimes a card is all you need to give. On a budget? Design your own pattern and order a stamp or stickers to make “To” and “From” tags.
RECYCLE: Most likely, you have wrapping left over from last year. Get creative and make strips to weave a sheet before wrapping it around your gift box. Use the paper to cut out snowflakes or fun shapes like feathers and circles to add to the gift box. Another fun idea to do with a newspaper is use a highlighter to create your own sentences or nice words that describe the receiver.
Support local and click here for a list of retail stores who supply cards and paper, have the merriest and happiest holiday!
(Photo credit: All materials provided by The Write Image located in Sugar House. All stationery cards are by Utah based artists and companies: Merry Christmas, Rudolph card by CLC Alum Nic Annette Miller, Let It Snow and Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas cards by CLC Alum Sycamore Street Press, Bah Humbug card by Seraph, Leg Lamp card by Stitched Cards taken by Nic Annette Miller).