Talloula’s annual Christmas Showcase never fails to impress and inspire – and this year’s creative gift wrapping ideas are simply fabulous.
Wrapping With Fabric
The Japanese art of wrapping with fabric is called furoshiki. Use an old tablecloth or t-shirt – as well as dishtowels, scarves or napkins.
Plain White Paper
Attach crayons and washi tape, use a word search or a drawing by your children, cover it in wax paper with punch colours, print out photos of your family – or one of the person you are gifting and yourself together.
Brown Paper
Use it with drawings, photos, pompoms, and fresh greenery – such as a rosemary wreath. Feast with all your senses, and get creative
Gift Wrapping For Words
Put money, love letters or words of affirmation in a balloon. Use matchboxes, pretty toiletry bags or make pouches out of old magazines – putting words or gift vouchers inside.
Upcycle
Use magazines, newspapers or old calendars as wrapping paper.
Some general wrapping tips:
- Choose a theme and co-ordinate your gifts around this theme – think beyond traditional Christmas paper.
- Cut your paper to the right size. Don’t waste, too much paper makes for messy wrapping.
- Use ribbon and twine and lovely threads to add to the gift wrapping.
- Boxes are your friend. Using boxes not only makes using wrapping paper easier, but also make the gift so much more exciting and builds anticipation.
- Wrap kids presents individually, the more the merrier. Research has shown that anticipating something can be a powerful, positive emotion that can help us live happier lives.
- Don’t ditch the tags or cards. Tags are worth the extra effort; nothing is more important than the gift of words.
- Scissors, twine, ribbon – have it all ready!
- Be eco-friendly. Choose unlaminated paper – paper with no sheen and glitter. If it crinkles and bounces back it has plastic on it. No sticky tape! Twine is your best friend. Upcycle.
Calm down the chaos, and make this Christmas matter. And remember, it’s not all about the gifts – but sharing and giving time, love, food, hope and thoughts.