Gift wrapping -by Donna

Using a little imagination when wrapping a gift can turn an ordinary package into something spectacular. The reaction you will get when giving a gift that looks amazing will make it all worthwhile. The following article will give you tips on wrapping gifts, as well as a few ideas on how to set up your own gift wrapping centre.

Who hasn't been caught at the last minute before going to a party or an event, frantically looking everywhere in your home for wrapping paper? With a little organization and a few items you will never be put in that situation again. Creating your own gift wrapping centre can be something as easy as getting a storage box and putting all your gift wrapping items in it. Or as elaborate as a closet turned into a gift wrapping area. Another idea to store all your gift wrapping supplies is to purchase a small trolly that you can store in a closet or behind a door. The trolly can easily be wheeled out when you want to wrap presents. Your main goal is to accomplish two things. You want to have all your gift wrapping items together where they will be easily accessible, and you want to be able to give a gift that looks absolutely beautiful.

To start off the most important items needed are scissors, tape, tissue paper, plain wrapping paper, that can be used for any type of event, and a neutral colour of ribbon and a few generic cards that would work for any occasion. All these items can be stored in a store bought box or you can cover a sturdy box you already have with wrapping paper or leftover wall paper, to spruce it up. If you are fortunate enough to have a spare shelf in a closet, you can store all your gift wrapping accessories there. You can even add a piece of doweling that you can purchase at any hardware store, to hold your ribbon spools.

Once you have the basics you can eventually add themed wrapping paper, cards for different occasions like birthdays, anniversaries and so forth. I always look for unique paper, cards and ribbons when I am out and about shopping, to add to my gift wrapping supplies. Having all these items at your disposal will save a lot of stress when giving gifts. Once you get used to having your own little gift wrapping centre, you will appreciate the time you will save by having everything at your fingertips.

Having wrapping paper with different themes and a variety of tissue paper, will be a beneficial to your gift wrapping centre. Next you can buy ribbons in different colours, textures and widths. I would also recommend purchasing ribbon with a wire edging, since it is very easy to work with. If you simply want to place a ribbon around the gift and tie a bow, then I would suggest using ribbon made out of organza. Even though this seems like a very easy way to tie a bow, using organza ribbon will give an elegant look to the gift. If you like to use narrow curling ribbon, all you have to do is to wrap ribbon around the parcel several times and then tie a few ribbon strands to the top of the parcel. Take a pair of sharp scissors and starting at the base of the ribbon, just pull the ribbon along the edge of the scissors, holding the ribbon tightly and let go once you reach the bottom of the ribbon strand, and your curl will be made. You can make as many curled strands as you want. You can allow the strands to either flow downward from the top of the gift or you can group them together. If you want to add a big bow to finish off a gift, using ribbon with a wire edge would be a good starting point for a beginner. The first step is to unwind the roll of ribbon and make a loop. Pinch the first loop right in the centre of the loop, between your thumb and index finger and keep making loops this way, continuing to hold the loops. Once you have enough loops for the size of bow you wish to make, take a pipe cleaner or a piece of wire and tie it securely in the centre of all the loops. Finish off by shaping each loop using the wire edges to guide you. Then all you have to do is tie the bow onto the gift. For a dramatic effect, make a bow using the above process and make it large enough that it will cover almost the entire top of the wrapped gift. There is no science to this, just play with the bow until you get it into a shape that you like. You can let the bow spread out as much as possible or you can bunch the loops of the bow together, making it a tighter bow. Once you are practised at making bows with wire ribbons, you can use the same technique using all types of ribbon. If you would prefer to buy ready made bows, there are several styles of pre made bows available.

About tissue paper:

The reason I find tissue paper so valuable for gift wrapping, is it is so versatile. It can be used to loosely wrap around the present inside the gift box to protect it, and it can be used as a filler so the gift doesn't slide all over the place inside the box, and of course it can be used to wrap a gift.

I am always on the look out for tissue paper when I am shopping. Tissue paper has come a long way from the original, plain white tissue paper. Now tissue paper comes in every colour and design conceivable. Tissue paper is one of the most inexpensive ways to wrap a gift, and it can be used in a variety of ways. For example you can use more than one different colour of tissue paper on the same gift, just by overlapping a few pieces. I also like to use cello wrap with tissue paper. Not only does it look very pretty, it protects the tissue paper from getting damaged. Using cello only adds a few more seconds to the gift wrapping process, and once you get used to working with tissue and cello, you can really come up with unique ideas for wrapping. To use cello all that needs to be done is to measure out the size of tissue paper you will need to wrap your gift, then set the paper on the cello that has been rolled out a little, and just measure the same size of cello out as the tissue paper. Next put the cello underneath the tissue paper, then set the box (with the gift inside) on top of the tissue paper, then wrap as normal. Your finished project will be a beautifully wrapped gift that not only looks fabulous, but is protected as well. Whenever I send a gift in the mail, I always wrap with tissue and cello. It works so well to protect the wrapped gift while it is in transit. As well as using tissue paper, all types of wrapping paper can be used with cello.

A few more tips when wrapping gifts.

Don't be afraid to experiment. Using more than one type of paper on the same gift adds an interesting look. Try using ribbons with different textures on the same gift. And to add a distinctive look to the gift, tie a charm or little sachet to the ribbon or bow. Or take a pipe cleaner and twist it around a pencil to get a curl to it, and then twist the curled pipe cleaner onto the ribbon or bow.

I find a glue gun is very handy when wrapping gifts. I have used it to secure ribbon and bows in place, and I have also used it to glue on ceramic roses and other little trinkets to gifts that are wrapped.

If you really want to make an impression, using two sided tape makes a gift look about as professional as you can get. Granted it will take a few minutes longer, but the effect is well worth it.

Watch for Part two of this article coming soon.