Wrapping up the #DOLLidays!
Okay Dolls, to be completely honest with you my favorite part of the holidays is wrapping gifts! I may or may not be considered a professional wrapper. I’m talking gift wrapper not a rapper. I just love showing up at holidays with presents for my friends and family. It’s the season for giving and it just makes me oh so happy! My family often jokes that the wrapping paper from my gifts can be reused for another present (If you’ve done this with one of my gifts, I promise I won’t tell!).
People often ask me why I love wrapping gifts so much while many people despise it, but I’ve come to the conclusion that I like wrapping because it reminds me of fashion. I get to style my gifts like an outfit and most importantly, style them to best match my tree! I know, some people may call me “extra” but hey, that’s me. For all of you Dolls that love wrapping or despise it, I am giving you the inside scoop on becoming the next gift wrapping queen!
1. Smooth Scissors for Success.
It’s all in the scissors. Okay I know this first tip may sound somewhat silly but it’s so true! There’s something so mesmerizing about hearing your scissors glide across the that first cut of wrapping paper. I know you know what I’m talking about, Dolls! Make sure your scissors are sharp, you need a pair that will cut open and are flexible to get down to business!
2. The first fold is SO important.
Literally, SO important. The first fold sets the tone for the rest of your wrapping. Make sure your first fold is as tight as possible! This tight fold ensures your final product is neat and precise. If this fold is loose, your final product will unfortunately look sloppy. So, perfect those fabulous first folds!
3. Odd shaped items — no need to stress!
People often stress about this. How will you wrap something in a weird shape? Easiest solution: just put it in a box! When in doubt, box it out. I don’t know if that’s even a saying but I just made it one! Haha! Seriously, don’t stress yourself out on wrapping a weird shape, just put it in a box and call it a day!
4. Wrapping Wine… but, how?
Speaking of wrapping weird shaped items, sometimes you can have fun with it! Wine bottles are actually my favorite items to wrap because I have a super cute way of doing it. Okay so first you can use either wrapping paper or tissue paper then wrap the bottle leaving excess paper on both ends. Then the best part — twist the excess paper on the ends of the bottle and tie ribbon around them. This makes your gift look even sweeter, like a piece of candy!
5. ONLY ALLOWED: Invisible Scotch Tape!
This is so important! Let’s be honest, no one wants to see the tape on your wrapping! It doesn’t look cute and using invisible tape is helpful if you make a little mistake! No one will notice, and your wrapping will stay looking professional! Not to mention, this tape keeps your wrapping sealed so no peeking before opening gifts is possible!
6. Perfecting Patterned Paper.
I love using patterned wrapping paper but one of my biggest pet peeves is when the patterns don’t match up! For example, if you’re wrapping with the Wondershop Target Collection: pink and white stripe wrapping paper (one of my personal favorites) then make sure your stripes match up before you tape! I look at gift-wrapping like art, and you always want to make sure your designs unite for your finished product, Dolls!
7. End on a Good Note.
Never, ever, have too much excess paper on your ends of the box. This makes your ends more difficult to fold and pretty much, just not neat at all! Feel free to cut this excess paper down evenly on both sides before you begin folding them into the perfect triangles!
8. Name Tags… Who?
Does your hand get tired from writing a name tag for every single gift you wrap? Or do you wrap the gift then forget who’s it was before you put a name tag on it? Don’t worry Dolls, I have a solution for you! Instead of writing name tags, pick out a wrapping paper for each family member or close friend. For example, if your mom loves flamingos then wrap her presents in a wrapping paper with Christmas-hat wearing flamingos. This is a fun way to make your tree decorated with a variety of patterns! Not to mention, it makes people feel special to have a specific paper for their gifts!
9. Use Pretty Paper Only, DUH!
My favorite wrapping paper is from Sugar Paper or Target! I may or may not be addicted to ordering wrapping paper, Dolls! I do recommend ordering more than you think you may need - you never know what last-minute gifts that may appear! I always think of the people on my wrapping list when shopping for my paper. I even bought a BLUE wrapping paper this year… Yes, you read that correctly — BLUE, not pink. Funny story, one of The PR Dolls asked me “Caroline, you bought blue paper! Why??”…. I actually bought it in case I had to wrap a male any gifts and sure enough I did! So like I said when it comes to buying wrapping paper — the more, the merrier!
10. Accessories Are Necessities!
Wrapping but make it fashion! This is seriously my favorite part, accessorizing the gift. You can use bows, candy canes, pieces of a Christmas tree, or mini ornaments, whatever you desire! Have fun with it, Dolls! These extra trinkets on your gifts are what sets them apart and makes them so special underneath the Christmas tree.
Okay so who’s ready to get their wrap on? No but seriously, wrapping doesn’t have to be stressful! Even if you don’t feel like it’s your secret super power, you can still have fun with it! Like my mother always tells me even to this day, “practice makes perfect.” If wrapping doesn’t work out may be try the other kind, “rapping”.
