I can’t stand it another minute. I have to make a declaration.
The phenomenon we now know as ‘the gift bag’ has completely and totally ruined the art of wrapping gifts.
There. I feel better. You know it’s true. All it takes these days is a bag from Target, often bedecked with a bear or wedding cake to fit the occasion, a few wadded up sheets of tissue paper, throw in a present and ta-da -the gift is good to go. And it makes me sad because I have a real appreciation for a finely wrapped present.
Maybe it’s because my mom was actually a paid gift wrapper once. And she is still the master gift wrapper, tying the perfect bow, tucking in a little keepsake card or flower, matching ribbon, paper and card with skill and style.
I recently went to a baby shower with the gift pictured above. Out of fifty-or-so gifts, mine was the ONLY one that was actually wrapped and tied with a bow. when the mom-to-be was handed my gift to unwrap, she paused, admired the package and then turned to me and said, “This gift is wrapped so beautifully, I almost don’t want to open it.”
I felt the same way at my baby shower before Ollie was born. A gift was handed my way that had a pair of vintage baby shoes tied to the ribbon. The shoes and the rest of the present were a gift from my sister. The combination of paper, ribbon, and shoes almost brought me to tears. It was so lovely.
I don’t share any of this to get kudos for my cute packaging. I share it because I love the feeling of taking a real, live ribbon bow off a gift. I get giddy when I slip my finger under a taped flap of wrapping paper. And there is just something about tearing paper off a box and wadding it up in a ball that satisfies me.
And now you know I am really, really weird. And super opinionated.
How about you? When was the last time you actually wrapped a present? Will you do it sometime soon? For me? Thanks!
Ps. I just reorganized all my wrapping supplies. I have a gazillion gift bags if anyone is interested.
Edited to add: There are some times when a gift bag is necessary! Oddly shaped gifts are hard to wrap.
13 comments:
I feel exactly the same way. I love the art of gift wrapping and being creative when giving a gift to someone. It challenges me and my creative juices and it shows the person that I put thought into every aspect of their gift. I also feel this way about written notes (as opposed) to e-mail. It is just the extra step that makes something special and it really doesn't take much effort.
Amen! I will not gift bag Christmas. It ruins it. The kids do gift bags for their friends though. It's just not the same to me.
I think gift bags are great for children because they really don't appreciate a nicely wrapped gift.
Guilty as charged!!! I hate to admit that I put my siser in laws baby shower gift in an Eddie Bauer bag. It was the only thing I had big enough to fit the akwardly big item I got her. :/ oops! I'm with Tracy though, I DO wrap Christmas gifts, no matter the shape and size.
I am going to make an effort to put a little more thought into it, so any tips from the Queen or yourself would be great!
My wrapping skills are entirely attributable to the Queen and to you. My gift bag usage had gone way done since 2008. One of your many areas of positive influence in my life. Love you.
I honestly could not agree more! However, i have been guilty of taking the easy way out when I don't plan properly~
i h#*@ gift bags. i love opening a package. gift bags are like grocery bags to me. nothing that exciting, unless of course there is chocolate inside.
This post is really funny. And here's why.
I bought you a gift bag. True story. It's orange and brown and has the most adorable little owl on it. I thought, YES! Samantha needs this.
I was going to send it to you next week. Instead I'll go return it and look for cute owl wrapping paper.
Tobi - a gift bag as a gift (when wrapped) is totally awesome! :)
I too love gifts wrapped the old fashioned way. I have to admit. Through my last pregnancy I was grateful for gift bags. It's mostly about convenience/survival. I just wrapped a cute gift for my prima. Orange bug wrapping paper with a fancy red ribbon. I hope she likes it.
I agree! I wrap all my gifts, except for most I give my kids, for they don't appreciate the art of a a beautifully wrapped present. My favorite part of Christmas is wrapping all the family gifts in beautiful wrapping paper with coordinating ribbon (not the cheesy kind you find with the pre-made bows).
I also believe it is much less expensive to wrap a present. Bags add up!
Once again.. you make me want to barf with how amazing you are. And I mean that in a good way. :)
OH. That comment I just left was meant for the Lego Party post, hah! Well, it kinda applies here. No, it doesn't.
For THIS post... I agree!!!! I looooove (and appreciate) a beautifully wrapped present! But there are few people I would 'waste' lovely ribbon on because not everyone does appreciate it!
you are awesome. And now I feel bad for that little mother's day gift I sent you that I think I didn't even wrap, or barely... ooops! :)
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