Why Gift Wrap Elegantly?
"We all know that wrapping a gift prettily is not a necessity. It is merely a small, but thoughtful, gesture that can add to someones enjoyment of a special occasion.
It's a chance to display a bit of our creativity as well. So relax, have some fun, and get pleasure out of your efforts - the nicest gift of all." Carolyne Roehm
I was inspired to write this series on Flowers and Gift Wrapping by a book written by Carolyne Roehm called, Presentations: A Passion for Gift Wrapping.
I've seen this book many times. But when I saw it at the library today something told me to borrow it. So I did.
By the time I walked up the hill to the shop, I had already outlined the blog series in my head.
Flowers and Gift Wrapping
Part 1 How To Gift Wrap Elegantly
Part 2 How to Gift Wrap Using Fresh Flowers
Part 3 How To Gift Wrap Using Fake Flowers
Part 4: How To Make Flowers for Gift Wrapping
How To Gift Wrap Elegantly
Containers - You can wrap your gifts in traditional gift boxes, hat boxes, decorative shopping bags, decorative containers or paper cones. The sky is truly the limit.
Paper - Select either plain or simple patterns (stripes for example) that can be used for many different occasions. You also want paper that can be used for males and females.
The paper above fits none of the criteria. But it is simple and elegant. Brown kraft paper, white, black and your favorite colors are a good start. You can even use newspaper to wrap your gifts. One of my favorites is that peachy colored N.Y. newspaper.
Some stores sell decorative wrapping paper by the sheet. You can also use scrapbooking paper for small items.
Generally speaking, the simpler the paper the more elegant the gift. You may quote me on that! LOL!
Fabric - I've used scarves and pieces of unique fabric to wrap odd shaped items. The wrapping actually becomes part of the gift. This gift is wrapped in felt cut to look like a pocketbook. How clever!
Ribbon - When possible use real ribbon. I mean ribbon made out of fabric like satin, velvet, grosgrain etc. That satin acetate ribbon, that feels more like paper than ribbon, looks cheap and is hard to tie into a nice bow.
Buy real ribbon at fabric stores or craft stores. Michael's usually has spools of real ribbon at the front of the store for one dollar. Select colors and patterns that will go with your wrapping paper.
Buy ribbon that is between 7/8 of an inch wide - 1.5 inches wide or wider if you like. You can buy solids, stripes, polka dots, etc.
Ribbon in natural and muted colors looks elegant. You can buy the neon pink for that special someone, but I wouldn't make it a habit if you want a sophisticated look.
Flowers - Fresh or nice fake flowers add a real touch of class to a gift. Parts 2 and 3 of this series will discuss how to incorporate flowers into your gift wrapping. To discover how to select realistic fake flowers read "How To Fool People With Fake Flowers" here.
Embellishments - You can add other little items to the outside of your gift such as miniature wooden spoons for a cookbook, beads, holiday ornaments, whatever you like. Just don't overdo it.
So these are the basics of elegant gift wrapping. Read Part 2: "How To Gift Wrap Using Fresh Flowers"
It will discuss how to include fresh flowers in your gift wrapping for special or not so special occasions.
Here are a some nice gift wrapping blogs:
What was the most unusually wrapped gift you ever gave someone?
Mimi
I love to use inventive items to wrap a gift. To me it can be as lovely as the gift itself.
Thank you SO much for linking these tips up!
Posted by: Laura Ingalls Gunn | 10/16/2011 at 09:44 AM
Laura, I'm so glad you stopped by. I agree with you. A beautifully wrapped gift is twice as nice. Hope you got to read all 4 parts of the gift wrapping series. Please come by again!
Posted by: Mimi | 10/16/2011 at 08:18 PM
So pretty! Would LOVE it if you would link this up at my turquoise lovin' party going on right now!! http://www.sweetlittlegals.com/2011/10/turquoise-lovin-9.html
Posted by: Sara | 10/19/2011 at 11:44 AM
I'm definitely not the best wrapper in the world, so I can use all the help I can get. Great tips here! Thanks for linking up with me for Friday Favorites. I hope you'll come back and link up again this week!
Posted by: Jerri | 10/19/2011 at 01:20 PM
Jerri, I was so grateful to come across your link party and to be able to take part in it. I look forward to hooking up with you again. Thanks for coming by!
Posted by: Mimi | 10/19/2011 at 02:20 PM