Wrap Story: A Baker's Birthday

This Wrap Story is part of a mini-series, documenting every present I’ve wrapped since the launch of The Gifted Blog. Click here for the whole series!

 

It drizzled much of the time we were in Kyoto. Walking up a steep, zig-zagging street to Kiyomizu temple, I was glad to find shelter in a beautifully curated shop. I was struck by the happy, modern print on this furoshiki and bought it.

I later learned that the name of the brand (Kotoima) means "old-new," and indeed, many of their designs are whimsical takes on traditional themes.

With an important birthday approaching for a friend, G., N. and I ventured out to buy her an oven thermometer. She is a baker of many things, but most importantly, these ridiculously rich brownies. (I tried to replicate them at home and completely bombed. Should've used an oven thermometer.)

 

My technique here was quite similar to the last gift I blogged about.

Just rolled the gift tightly on the diagonal, and knotted the ends in the center.

I didn't buy many large furoshiki in Japan, but I wish I had sized up a bit. With a larger square of cloth, there is more flexibility in how you wrap, and you can be more decorative with the knotting, etc.

Still, I thought this turned out quite feminine and pretty. I didn't get a shot of it, but we tucked a small card in a dark purple envelope under the knot. I liked how everything was neat and secured.

Do you wrap gifts with cloth? If not, what's the biggest reason you don't? I can see how this is an appealing idea in theory, but going out to get the actual cloth (or hem it yourself) might be a hassle. I'd love to know what you think!