Present wrapping

[Arch]

So, it's that time of year when present wrapping raises itself in our minds. Because all the gifts I give tend to be going to the same destination, a family Christmas at my Mum's, I usually try to make all my gifts follow a theme - one style of wrapping paper as the minimum level of coordination. Sometimes I go for something more artistic - last year, it was brown paper, string and sealing wax. I haven't decided on this year yet, but I might do something a bit off the wall. I know the paper just gets ripped off and recycled (especially with two small boys in the mix), but I enjoy thinking of something and then seeing my gifts all coordinated. I don't tend to buy expensive paper though, because I'd rather put the money into the gift!

Do you make an effort? Any tips for others?

My tips would be:

Buy as many things as you can that are square or rectangular, makes wrapping much neater and easier. If something is really tricky, put it in a square box!

Have sellotape tabs to hand - either use a dispenser you can use one handed, or cut a load of bits and line them up on the edge of the table. There's nothing so annoying as getting the paper all nicely shaped round an awkward parcel, and then having to let go with both hands to wrangle the tape....

I've found a couple of sets of instructions for making your own parcel bows - they suggest using biscuit wrappers (it's from a recycling site), but any paper would do, perhaps tailored to the recipient.

http://s3.amazonaws.com/tc-uk-prod/download_resource/downloads/191/McVities-Easy Gift Bow DIY.pdf

http://s3.amazonaws.com/tc-uk-prod/download_resource/downloads/42/Fancy Gift Bow -UK.pdf

 

[vernon]

Try using aluminium baking foil. It stays put and doesn't need cellotape. You also have choice of two surfaces; shiny and dull.

 

[MontyVeda]

I love brown paper... but some of the more snotty members of my family think I'm just being crap for using brown paper, in spite of the fact it's been decorated using my own made by me star shaped stamp, so it's brown paper that's hand decorated with silver stars... in future they're getting the cheapest crapping paper i can find... some folks just aren't worth the effort.

 

[Arch]

Try using aluminium baking foil. It stays put and doesn't need cellotape. You also have choice of two surfaces; shiny and dull.

Nice one!

BTW, I know why foil has one shiny side, and one dull, and if enough people ask, I'll tell you all...

 

[Archie_tect]

....... must resist.....

 

[Arch]

I love brown paper... but some of the more snotty members of my family think I'm just being crap for using brown paper, in spite of the fact it's been decorated using a hand made star shaped stamp so it's brown paper that's hand decorated with silver stars... in future they're getting the cheapest crapping paper i can find... some folks just aren't worth the effort.

It can be effective to draw on it with gold or silver pens too! I love the look of brown paper, used nicely.

One year, I might do for the really crappy thin paper, as an ironic statement or something....

 

[Night Train]

So, it's that time of year when present wrapping raises itself in our minds.
So how does one go about wrapping a Massey Ferguson 135 tractor for Night Train?

FTFY.

 

[Arch]

<sighs and goes out and buys 1568 rolls of cheap wrapping paper>

 

[jayonabike]

I've got to wrap my boys new BMX Christmas Eve, once he finally goes to sleep. Wrapping a bike, thats going to be a challenge (especially after a few whiskies)

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

Buy as many things as you can that are square or rectangular, makes wrapping much neater and easier. If something is really tricky, put it in a square box!

Tubes are relatively easy to wrap too. I got my brother a cider glass a while back and putting it in a tube worked well.

 

[Arch]

I've got to wrap my boys new BMX Christmas Eve, once he finally goes to sleep. Wrapping a bike, thats going to be a challenge (especially after a few whiskies)

Ah, yes, you have two options.

Make it look not like a bike, or make it obvious it is a bike!

Does he know he's getting it? If not, then try and box it (box begged from bike shop). If so, then just make it obvious, and tie a huge bow on it!

How old is he? Could you 'hide' the bike in the garden or somewhere, and give him an envelope with a clue in it, letting him go and find it?

 

[green1]

Nice one!

BTW, I know why foil has one shiny side, and one dull, and if enough people ask, I'll tell you all...

and what if I tell them first?

 

[Arch]

and what if I tell them first?

I'll pretend I don't mind at all, but huff for the rest of the week.

 

[Beebo]

I've got to wrap my boys new BMX Christmas Eve, once he finally goes to sleep. Wrapping a bike, thats going to be a challenge (especially after a few whiskies)

I've got to do that too, but I've also got to build the bike! Could be tricky.
It's up in the loft at the moment in a big box, I cant get it down before Xmas eve as once it's built I've got no where to hid it and it wont fit back up the loft hatch.

 

[Andrew_Culture]

Nice one!

BTW, I know why foil has one shiny side, and one dull, and if enough people ask, I'll tell you all...

I should know this as we make some of the machines used to wind alu foil!