A well-wrapped gift

Journal Entry No. 15

There’s a school of thought that the best gifts should come in the ugliest wrapping - a pearl necklace wrapped in newsprint - and as much as I enjoy this juxtaposition, I prefer to be quite decadent in my wrapping (love me some layers!) and begin the story-telling from first sight: the wrapping. Like a well set table, a well-wrapped gift tells the recipient they are about to experience something wonderful…

A few ideas I enjoy (and, as we are tasked with wrapping gifts this time of year, why not make it a little fun?)

Ribbons - anyone else have a ribbon box? Any ribbon that I receive, if I deem it of good quality, goes in the ribbon box for future use - and, let me tell you, when you have ribbons at your disposal, you tend to find uses for them! I love layers anywhere and layering ribbons is always great. A little harder to wrangle two ribbons at the same time but you can always stagger the bows.

Floral & Greenery - a little spring of cedar or fir tucked in to the ribbon, even holly if you know the recipient won’t prick themselves - is a lovely touch. I can’t ever remember, during the summer, to dry flowers from the garden so I can use them come Christmas to decorate gifts with… but, luckily there are plenty of purveyors of dried floral these days (see below for list of shops). A little bouquet of dried floral or some fresh herbs (rosemary, and sage look good all winter) tucked into the bow is simply charming.

Unusual containers - picnic basket? Mandarin orange box? Vintage tin? Linen tea towel? These and many other re-purposed items start things off with a little whimsy and make the ‘box’ part of the gift as well as its contents. Whatever the exterior is, make sure to dress it up with the best bows, frills, dried flowers, greenery, etc. so as to make it as festive as possible (as you don’t have the Santa-stamped wrapping paper to rely on).

Vintage cards - I seem to accumulate stationary throughout the year and am particularly attracted to things vintage, especially during the Holiday Season. There’s a nostalgia inherent in the traditional of Christmas - centuries of history at our backs - and a touch of vintage plays into this history which I think it’s quite fitting. I separate the front if there’s writing in the card and re-apply it to a coloured piece of paper. Send a small ribbon down the middle of the card use this to tie on to the present.

Brown paper - perhaps I’ve watched The Sound of Music too many times (no such thing!) but ‘brown paper packages tied up with string’ really stuck with me as one of my favourite things. In lieu of non-recyclable printed wrapping paper, I’ll often opt for brown paper and go all out on the ribbons, cards, floral, etc. per the above. If the gift is for a child, I will stamp the paper before hand or draw little flowers or snowflakes on it with a metallic marker. If I do use printed paper I make sure it is in fact just paper and that it can be recycled (or re-used!).

As I so often find, the materials that are the most lasting (vintage pieces, quality ribbons, dried and natural elements) are also the most appealing. I encourage everyone to think about how much of the gift will end up in the garbage once it has been opened (wrapping, packaging, bows, etc.) and try to opt for materials that can either be reused or can go in to the compost instead.

Wishing everyone a magical holiday - whatever you may celebrate - let be a wonderful experience for all!

Some of my favourite local shops for the rare and unusual to wrap and pack your gifts: 

In Vancouver: 

Urban Source - for anything paper, fabric ribbons, fabric swatches and oddities - it’ll spark your imagination! I'm often donating discontinued wallpaper and fabric swatches so you may find something I recognize!

The Soap Dispensary - for glass containers and lovely tea towels, stacking metal food containers (this would be a fantastic 'box'!) and many more lovely things.

Dressew - a local institution, enough fabric to make our head spin on the main floor but head downstairs for aisles of ribbons, tassels, cording and many other lovely things to use in wrapping up a present.

Cream Mint Florist - they have all the dried flowers I forget to dry myself and then some. Yellow pom-poms, bachelor buttons, tiny roses, you may spend your gift budget on the floral (but that might be ok).

Kasandy - fair trade baskets for any size of gift (and the basket is a gorgeous gift too)

Gild & Co. - Bonnie is a collector of lovely vintage pieces, both small & large, coffee table books, linens and there's quality and charm in every corner.

Details By Mr. K. - a shop to put a smile on your face in dreary grey weather, Andrew collects from far and wide and with the criteria that decor should be fun and colourful! Pillows, linens, books, candle sticks, etc. for every taste. 

In Victoria: 

The Market Garden - if only for the ‘chocolate room’ (complete with chandelier) but every corner of this shop is a fantastic experience: cards, home wares, floor-to-ceiling shelves of beautifully packaged spices, vintage dressers bursting with locally-made greeting cards… and all served up on a backdrop of European-inspired interiors. Be sure to check out the basement gin room!

Zingaro Florist & Perfumery - I first met Palma, store-owner, when working on Pamela's Garden of Eden - my goodness can she and her team put together some stunning arrangements! In addition to the beautiful flowers and European setting, many lovely gifts and things are all about and... if you're not into assembling the many little gifts yourself, Palma can help curate from her collections. 

I am not receiving anything in exchange of my mentioning these shops - I just really like their products and what they stand for, I hope you will too!