Christmas Gift Wrap Ideas

Over the years, my brother and I have had a "Gift-wrap War" going on. This started when I was 14 and had my first job. Everyone in the family got paid on his birthday that year, and decided to use that paycheck to buy his birthday gifts. They all hoped he would have his party that Saturday afternoon, but since it was mostly a family affair, my brother opted to have the party the afternoon of his birthday. Unfortunately, in the fray, the gift-givers didn't get to wrap his gifts. They were presented in plastic shopping bags. I, big sister, however did not get paid until the next week, and I'd forgotten to plan for his birthday ahead of time. So, I told him I would present a gift after I got paid.

My brother was very disappointed about his gifts not being wrapped, and I understood where he comes from on this viewpoint. Gifts are supposed to be wrapped, its a little extra way to say, "I care." So, after hearing his side about his giftwrapping issues, I decided to make-up for the lack of gift wrap that year. I gave him a little money, and bought a cute little card. I sealed the envelope tight, added a fun sticker for a 10 year old boy, then bought some birthday gift wrap and proceeded to wrap his card three additional times.

When I was finished, I presented him with a small, 3x3 sized gift that he had to really work at to get into. I smiled and said..."See what you get;-)." We weren't quite kind enough then to say "Be careful what you wish for." I think that's closer to what I meant to say.

Here, in an effort to give out more ideas, and create some more of my own...its been nearly 20 years, and we've moved onto chicken wire in plastic buckets tied multiple times with rope, and a zippo style lighter wrapped in a rubber band ball...wrapped a couple of other times. Sorry, for you extra box people...I'm thinking we're going to end up getting each other jack-hammers and using cement to gift wrap(guess I better buy him something durable), but I usually do find a reasonably good attempt to foil the giftee and provide an interesting show at Christmas.

I expect to post something weekly about our past creative gift wrap attempts that put expensive lace and ribbons to shame. Though ribbons certainly do have their place in my gift-wrap world. Enjoy the journey;-).