After selecting this beautiful water globe for a very dear friend of mine……”oh no, how will I wrap it?”….. To me, part of the gift giving is the “presentation ” of the gift. I come from a family of “bow-makers”…we love beautiful ribbons and packages. Even before the country was “going green” we saved our ribbons, and recycled “good boxes”….you know the nice sturdy kind that you can wrap and remove the top with out having to remove the paper….These metallic boxes I have had for years. All that is required is a beautiful ribbon. While shopping this year I have seen an array of beautiful decorative boxes…..definitely “keepers”. I found the perfect one for the water globe! All I had to do was add some raffia and secure the top! i also like to use this decorative cellophane. Great for hard to wrap packages. I found these wonderful bottle stoppers, that came pre-packaged as an ornament. The perfect addition to a bottle of wine.
All this talk of gifts, brings up another subject for “debate”….when does your family exchange gifts? Christmas eve or Christmas day????? Let’s hear your traditions….well I guess that about “wraps” things up…..cheesey…I know!!!!!
1. I love the wrapping the best of all…..
Your choices were great!
by Julie — 11/30/07 at 8:15 pm #
2. Thanks Julie.
I love the wrapping the best too….I actually have a friend who just wants me to give her wrapped boxes every year….she recycles them!
Go figure!
Happy Holidays!
alli
by Alli — 11/30/07 at 8:50 pm #
3. You’re so cute Alli, love your writing.
The giftwrapping ideas are great. I too save any wrappings that can be used or recycled. Why not, who wants to throw away all that great stuff.
As for your Debate question… We open gifts on Christmas Morning. Although my kids don’t get up early and jump on our bed to get us up to see what Santa brought anymore. (we have to go jump on their beds, they like to sleep). So we have a nice relaxing morning, we turn on Christmas music and all the lights, maybe a fire, and have cinnamon and orange rolls and open a few of our gifts. I kinda miss all the “little kid” excitement on Christmas Morning, but its nice to just have it calm and relaxing as well.
Happy wrapping,
Cathy
by Cathy — 11/30/07 at 9:33 pm #
4. I can totally relate Cathy…..it is kind of nice to extend the holiday. Sometimes we open gifts on Christmas eve and save stockings for Christmas morning…..it really depends on what is going on with everybody. I do however miss the early morning “Santa’ surprises….hopefully we will get another “round” with grandkids…..in a few years…….
take care,
alli
by Alli — 11/30/07 at 10:39 pm #
5. Hi Alli,
Beautiful wrap and beautiful bows make the gift more exciting and lets the receiver know that you care enough to present them in the very best way. Presentation is the key!
My family exchanges gifts of Christmas Eve, but on the honor system, they can’t be opened until Christmas Day! As hard as it is to wait for the few hours, you have to do it. The excitement is the Christmas Day experience! Sometimes, we have to “come out of the bag.” (smlile)
Keep wrapping with beautiful paper and bows, friend.
Betty
by Betty — 12/1/07 at 8:14 pm #
6. Thanks Betty,
I am impressed…I would never be able to wait!! I am terrible! I have even been known to secretly open a package and “re-wrap ” it before Christmas……..I know, BAD!!! My family has learned to hide gifts very well…..aren’t the holiday FUN!!!!!
take care,
alli
by Alli — 12/1/07 at 9:54 pm #
7. Hi Alli,
While you come from a long line of Bow people, I come from a long line of gift bag people .
As far as when we exchange…that was a topic of great debate in my family. Started out Xmas eve (a Danish thing), then as grandkids came into the picture and got too cranky late at night, we switched to Xmas morning. I think it was toughest on my Dad…the ultimate kid!
Now, because everyone is out of town, I have no idea when they open the packages we mail. But we do Xmas morning now in our home. Now that I have little kids, I totally get that late-night cranky thing!
Susan
http://www.roomsthatwork.com
by Susan Smith — 12/3/07 at 5:22 pm #
8. Alli,
Will you come and wrap presents at my house? That is not my favorite part, but I know you are right . . . the presentation is so important. I will start a little earlier this year so that I can relax and enjoy the process.
To answer your debate question, my dh and I were the typical couple . . . one had the Christmas Eve tradition and the other Christmas Morning. We compromised! Because most of our extended family is out of town, we opened all of the gifts from grandparents, aunts and uncles, and anything that had been sent on Christmas Eve, and our immediate family gifts on Christmas Morning. It worked great and made the gift giving and receiving last for a while as well.
Thanks for your ideas and the great way you write them!
Deb
by Deb — 12/5/07 at 2:05 pm #
9. Deb,
I know your wrapping is just as wonderful as everything else you do!!
You are a “lady with a flair”…..
Great compromise on the gift exchange, these kind of things can be flexible, no need for added stress….
Thanks for sharing my friend, and take care.
alli
by Alli — 12/5/07 at 9:16 pm #