Learn the art of gift wrapping

Make no mistake: gift wrapping and giving is an art. An art that few have truly mastered. With the right wrapping, a gift can be multiplied making the experience that more unforgettable. Frankly, I still have much to learn on it (I am still the worst person I know when it comes to classic paper wrapping), but still achieve great results with minimal skill. There‘s a lot to consider and I am here to help. In this post, I will share my tips and ideas to help you elevate your gifts. Get ready to say goodbye to last-minute scrambles and let‘s begin.

From the bottom of your heart - The basics

When wrapping a gift, you first and foremost need to consider the gift itself. Predictably, if your packaging is not suited to your present our quest won‘t go very far. First, evaluate the size and shape of your gift. Is it quite large? Then, you should maybe consider something other than classic paper wrapping. The opposite is also true: small boxes might be more appropriate to the smallest of presents. In general, boxes are your best friends here. If you really want to use paper wrapping, then a box will make wrapping any odd-shape or odd-sized gift an achievable task. It might not be the most original solution, but it will work (explaining why this option is so popular). Other physical aspects must be considered. Is your present fragile? Prepare protective material inside the wrapping. Is it quite heavy? Then you should opt for more durable options. These considerations might seem basic, but they‘re basic because they are the foundation of gift wrapping. Without them, everything else falls.

The gift itself is important to consider not only for its physical properties, but for what it represents. The wrapping should be tailored to the occasion. A present for say Christmas should not look like one for a birthday or a wedding. The right color palette is essential here. even without an obvious color associated to the situation, remember that colors emphasize emotions. Red is love, blue is peaceful, yellow is joyful and white is more formal for example. Use the intuition of your target to your advantage.

You really didn‘t have to - Building on the surprise

The whole idea of wrapping is to conceal the present just a tiny bit longer to build excitement and anticipation. Creating a wrapping that reinforce surprise and makes the act of unwrapping fun in itself is an excellent decision. The most apparent way to do so would be by wrapping multiple boxes within themselves, but, in my experience, abusing that trick will impair the joy you want to promote. A more interesting variation of this would be to use multiple DIFFERENT layers of wrapping. You could, in this way, select each layer as to represent different stops made during a travel the person made. This demands more work but would be a great and unique approach to add depth to the act.

You could also surprise by involving working on the sensory experience. Mixing and curating textures, colors, aromas and sound even are all potential options here. Adding humour could enhance this experience. Fake out gifts are a classic example that are maybe overdone. You should maybe focus on more subtle elements such as contradictory labels instead. For contexts where humour is maybe not the most appropriate choice, mystery might be a suitable replacement. I also saw great gifts incorporating poetry. Another great choice.

Some of you might find that turning the unwrapping into an adventure in itself to be a great alternatives. This include adding puzzle elements, riddles or codes. Although it can take a while to setup, a scavenger hunt is also a great sign of appreciation. Make the person earn his present, making the reveal that much more satisfying in the process.

How thoughtful of you - Making it personnal

Giving a present is a way to show the appreciation you have for the person. Making the present personal is a great way to signal to the person that you know and appreciate her. We have many options in our arsenal to highlight that message. Possible personnalized touches include things we already mentionned - like poems and notes - but also anything that you can link back to a share memory you have with the recipiendary. Photos and meaningful symbols help evoke nostalgic moments, making the unwrapping personal and thoughtful. Unorthodox wrappings are also an excellent way to exhibit the personnality of the person. Here‘s a few ideas: maps, newspapers, t-shirts, coffee cans, books, self-made boxes, fruit baskets, wool, fabric and bubble wrap even. Remember that you want your gift to prove to the person that you know her, her personnality and her tastes. So, make it her own.

Wrapping things up

In the end, gift giving is a show of appreciation for someone but also your relationship. In that way, the perfect gift doesn‘t need elaborate and complicated wrappings. Rather, showing thoughtfulness in the little things like material, context and personal history will make almost any gift an unforgettable experience. With a little pratice, this will come naturally making every gift easier to make and that much effective. On that, I wish you good success with your next gift. I am sure it will be a great experience for the giftee and for yourself.

See you tomorrow.