Wrapping In Style
Many times, we're often too busy to take time to wrap a gift in a special way. If you're taking the time to pick
the gift out, don't cut corners by not taking the time to personalize the wrapping. My friends have always
commented on the unusual and beautiful gifts that I present to them.. Perhaps it was the many years wrapping
my family holiday gifts that inspired me to wrap with style and with an eye to detail. I pride myself in taking
the time to create a special splash in wrapping gifts. I turn to my garden to help me make an impact. No matter
what the season or weather, daffodils in the springtime, or holly and evergreen branch in the winter, my garden
is an endless resource for my creations.
A perfect gift for your host or hostess is a nice bottle of wine. We have all seen the velvet wine bags sold
in stores these days - they're nice, but they lack individuality. Even worse are the plastic bags that your
liquor store will offer. Don't do it! Over the years, I have created a wine bouquet wrapped around any bottle
of wine that I offer as a gift. It takes little time, and people will stop and notice this charming way you
are presenting a bottle of wine.
What you need for this project:
- A good quality bottle of wine without a price tag. Ask your liquor store for help when selecting a bottle for a gift.
- Raffia
- Garden string
- A package of Moss (available at any garden center or craft shop)
- Flower or evergreen clippings from your yard or garden center.
- 1/4" satin ribbon
Steps to a wine bottle bouquet:
- Take your bottle and place it on the side (be careful that it does not roll off the table). I place a large book on each side to support the bottle from rolling.
- Break off a handful of moss the size of your palm and place it on the bottle stem. Take your garden string and tie the moss tightly to the bottle. Now, we will build from here.
- Take your clippings and flowers and secure them on the moss by tying the garden string around the throat of the bottle.
- Wrap the raffia around the throat of the moss covered bottle and over the flowers and clippings and tie a small bow about 4-5 inches for a whimsical look.
- Lastly, add a silk bow around the bottle.
With practice, you will master this wine bottle bouquet as I did. Practice makes perfect.
For other boxed gifts, I always have interesting papers, fabrics, raffia, gardening string, and a variety of ribbon
and fun stickers. Now let's also consider the idea of recycling paper grocery bags, fabric, wallpaper and yes, even
burlap! I've been known to do it all with great style—and no complaints. Just keep it clean with some wonderful
ribbon and you too will have yourself a beautifully wrapped gift that comes with great thought and consideration
for the environment. Taking your time and not using an endless amount of tape works best on any gift. I sometimes
challenge myself to wrap with no visible tape involved. It takes practice to become a pro at this. For most of us,
a tasteful gift is complete when the packaging is in harmony with the gift. A small flower bouquet including a dramatic
hydrangea bloom tied with a beautiful ribbon makes a visual splash.
What makes a gift perfect is the gift itself—but it's also the presentation. Wrapping the gift yourself in an unusual
and thoughtful way shows that you care enough to buy the gift, but that you took the time to personalize the wrapping.
Whoever receives a gift like this will appreciate that special touch.
And there you have it.
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