| The Right Wrapping
It's the thought that counts, but it's the paper and bow that seal the deal. With these materials, you can tackle any wrap job.
grosgrain ribbon With its ridged surface, this classic cotton ribbon dresses up any paper. Unlike paper or plastic ribbons, which crimp or fold when you tie them and which all too readily show mistakes, grosgrain can be retied and reused. Shown here: A rainbow of ribbons to suit any occasion — yellow, aqua, pink, white, red, and Kelly green. To buy: $9 a spool (11 yards long, one inch wide), Kate's Paperie, www.katespaperie.com. paper Stock your wrapping kit with solid-color paper. It may be more expensive than the poinsettia and sleigh-bells five-pack, but when paired with the right ribbons, it can be used for all occasions — Christmas, Hanukkah, birthdays, weddings, baby showers. Order the paper in bulk so you're never caught without it on hand. Shown above: Wet-Look solid wrap in lime and red, $4.25 for 11.25 square feet; Crayon white wrap, $4 for 11.25 square feet: the Gift Wrap Company, 800-342-9727 for store locations. gift tags Once you've wrapped your gifts, personalize them with one of these. 1. Making Memories flower-shaped tags ($4.50 for 12, www.makingmemories.com for store locations) are made of clear vellum. 2. Merry Christmas Sweetie gift enclosures, ($3 each, www.yousendme.com for store locations) come with opaque glassine envelopes. 3. Gift tags by Garrison-Cole.com ($5.50 for 10, www.garrison-cole.com for stores) sport a modern design with just enough room for your name and theirs. 4. Double-dipped circle tags ($3.50 for 12, www.makingmemories.com for stores) come in bright primary colors. 5. Jack and Lulu wooden-spoon gift tags ($12 for 12, www.fredflare.com) let you relive your childhood. and in a pinch, bags That gigantic teddy bear, that star-shaped cardboard lantern — they'd be impossible, or at least punishing, to wrap were it not for 36-by-44-inch plastic gift sacks (one size only — a foot wider and nearly two feet longer than tall kitchen bags). They come in a variety of holiday and nonholiday prints, such as the giant gift sack in Hampton Candy Stripe, from the Gift Wrap Company, $4.25 (includes matching ribbon and gift card), 800-342-9727 for store locations. |
