Reader Question: Gift Wrapping Around the World

"I'd love to learn more about different cultures' approaches to gift wrapping. I've really been enjoying the bits about your trip to Japan. How about in Russia though? Indonesia? Peru? How do they gift wrap there?"     --Sarah :) 

Sarah, thanks for writing in! After reading this friend's response about the role of aesthetic attention in Thai culture, this question has been on my mind, too. Wouldn't it be fun to do a series on gift wrapping around the world?

Since I'm no expert, I leave it to you, my international and/or well-traveled readers! How are gifts wrapped in other cultures? You don't have to be an authority on the subject, just report what you know! Sarah and I are curious to read your thoughts.

{Images by Marco Bellucci and danagraves}

Gift Wrapping Arsenal Roundup

One of the earliest mini-series I did on The Gifted Blog was Gift Wrapping Arsenal, an informal guide to the items I personally find indispensable for gift wrapping. Since they are somewhat buried in the archives, I thought I'd round up the links for you here:

Gift Wrapping Arsenal: Kraft Paper

Gift Wrapping Arsenal: Fabric Ribbon

Gift Wrapping Arsenal: Raffia

Gift Wrapping Arsenal: Gift Tags

Gift Wrapping Arsenal: Scotch Tape

Alternately, you can click here to see all five in one go! (Bonus: a picture of my aunt in bright blue sweatpants. Actually, we all look pretty stylin' in that picture.)

What did I miss? I'd love to hear about your favorite gift wrapping tool or supply in the comments!

 If you enjoyed this post, get free updates by email or RSS.

Free Idea Friday: Printable CD/DVD Case

Maybe you've moved on to using flash drives for your digital gift-giving. But for us old fashioned, CD-giving types, here is a super-cool CD/DVD case by Shoko Sugiyama to download and print! Featuring blue cherries and a subtle Japanese aesthetic, this free printable is just one of many available on the Canon website.

When's the last time you gave someone a digital gift (mixed 'tape', photos, etc)? What format did you use?

Thanks so much for joining me for The Gifted Blog's 1-year anniversary week! It's been a very rewarding journey - thank you for walking with me. I'm gearing up for more reader questions and a new series about why we make. I hope you'll join me!

 If you enjoyed this post, get free updates by email or RSS.

Giveaway Update & A Seattle Workshop

A quick check-in:
1) As of this writing, there are 3 more gift card holders waiting to be claimed in my Thank You Giveaway! Please see the post if you'd like to receive a little fabric envelope made by me. Readers, I so appreciate you. I worked on the packaging for these guys today. After a little head-banging, experimentation, and input from my mom, I am really happy with the result (and only collapsed dramatically on the floor once). Thanks, Mom.

2) I'm having a Gift Toppers Workshop in Seattle this Sunday (the 25th), from 3:00-4:30pm. Surprise! It was filled by family friends, but there was an unexpected cancellation. If you would like to join, please e-mail me ASAP at giftedmailbox(at)gmail(dot)com!

3) I bought the most expensive piece of jewelry in my life (save for G.'s wedding ring) today. I first laid eyes on it last week and I've been thinking about it ever since. When I told the consignment shop owner, she nodded. "It happens," she said understandingly, "Especially with jewlery and shoes. I get calls all the time." It's a pearl necklace accented with a vintage brooch, and it's awesome. Made by a friend of the shop owner. Have been thinking a lot about giving handmade and buying handmade. Note to self: keep thinking and post about this soon.

Good night!

 If you enjoyed this post, get free updates by email or RSS.

Thank You Giveaway

As some of you know, when I started The Gifted Blog, I had it in mind to start a reusable gift wrapping line. I thought the blog would be a nice compliment to my small craft business, a place where I could share ideas and eventually promote my work.

Though I made a few batches of items, turns out I like blogging better! (I enjoyed the sewing, but what I didn't enjoy was the pricing, the logistics of setting up an Etsy shop, and the thought of packing and shipping up my items...ugh.)

I feel lucky to have readers who encourage, inspire and engage me. I thought it would be only fitting to thank you with some items from the gift wrapping line that got this whole thing started. The first 15 people to enter will receive a handmade gift card holder, perfect for personalizing what might otherwise be a generic gift! Of all the things I made, this is my favorite product.

So, thank you, readers! The Gifted Blog wouldn't make any sense without your readership, participation, and voice. To enter, leave a comment with: 1) your e-mail address (unless you're positive I know it) and 2) what you most appreciate about The Gifted Blog. You'll get an e-mail from me if you're one of the first 15!

 Subscribe for free. Get future Gifted posts delivered to your inbox or blog reader!

Wrap Story: 1:00am Gift Wrapping Abandon

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!

For my 1-year anniversary week, I wanted to share this special gift wrapping project. It's my favorite so far. When I finished, I thought, "I didn't know I had it in me!" (Not bragging - more that I didn't know I could make something so...different-looking.)

It started with the paper. G. and I went to the 75th anniversary show at SFMOMA earlier this year. The last room had a stack of posters by Felix Gonzalez-Torres, arranged in similar fashion as this. (You can get a clearer look at the poster in the second image here.) I took one, with future gift wrapping on the brain.

Fast forward to the week before S. and D.'s wedding. I was home alone for 4 days while G. and N. visited family. I went a little nuts. I had dinner with friends, babysat for neighbors, returned 5 pairs of sandals, embellished a t-shirt inspired by this tutorial and finally tackled the big Crate & Barrel box staring me down from the corner of the living room.

Once it was wrapped in the paper, I made the big ol' fabric flower on the right (above). I thought, "That is the ugliest thing I have ever made." In a moment of 1:00am abandon, I embraced a "more is more" approach. Tying strips of t-shirt to the handle, I completely covered the white plastic, then added long strands for texture and movement. Yellow flowers from my t-shirt project were a happy detail.

I used up the bright yellow thread attaching those and put the wooden spool on one of the 'streamers', then threaded another one on the other side for good measure. When we'd all signed the card, I used the photo corners idea to affix it to the back of the box.

It was thrilling to try something new for this gift - new colors, new technique, new materials. I love working with fabric, but I've never used it like this for gift wrapping! I worried because this isn't S. and D.'s aesthetic, but I realized that they would "get it". They know that I love doing this and that God is doing something here.

What do you think?

Stay tuned for more anniversary week treats...there's a Wednesday giveaway around the corner!

 If you enjoyed this post, get free updates by email or RSS.

The Gifted Blog Turns 1

The Gifted Blog turns 1 next week! WHOO HOO!!

I have a couple of special things planned for my anniversary week that I think you'll enjoy. On Monday I'll show you a gift wrapping project I'm most proud of. It's my favorite gift wrap of the year so far! On Wednesday, please stop by for a thank-you giveaway. (Psst: see image.) Friday will bring another free printable idea!

This has been such a joyful, life-giving endeavor. From the blog's humble first posts to now, I really thank God for the opportunity to "go for it" - to pursue something I love, to take creative risks, to do things I've never tried before.

I had many doubts about writing a blog about gift wrapping. It sounded dumb, terribly specific, and even superficial. But the more I make, write, pray and think about it, the more I'm confident that this is the right thing for now. Gift wrapping is accessible. It's an everyday, democratic art. It honors the people we love. And it's a reason to use the gift of our imaginations and hands.

Thanks for being a part of my journey. See you next week!

 If you enjoyed this post, get free updates by email or RSS.

Wrap Story: Babysitting in a Box

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!

What do veteran parents want most for a baby shower gift?

Our dear neighbors are expecting #3. So when I was invited to their baby shower, I asked G. if he would help me give them a special present.

Happily, I had a gift certificate box to use for the occasion. Since the baby's sex is a surprise, I used a brightly-colored marbled paper that doesn't scream 'boy!' or 'girl!'. A tissue paper blossom I made as a demo for the Spring Gift Toppers Workshop added dimension. This paper sheath slipped off to reveal...

a gift certificate for babysitting!

If we were expecting, high on my list of most-wanted gifts would be time alone with my husband. So I made a simple certificate entitling M. and M. to a free afternoon or evening out as a couple.

I'm not naturally good at coordinating, so it was a conscious effort to use this gorgeous paper on the inside and outside of the gift. I punched and cut spaces in the marbled paper for the text, then backed it with cream cardstock. A corner punch, a gift from my husband, added a finishing touch.

I'm happy to say that M. and M. have redeemed their certificate. I was honored to hear they are saving the certificate for the baby book!

Do you have a go-to gift for baby showers?

 If you enjoyed this post, get free updates by email or RSS.

Free Idea Friday: Sweet Printable Box

Rooting through my massive bookmarks list, I rediscovered this sweet gift box by Melissa of IS•LY, free to download right here. The final dimensions are perfect for a gift card or other small treat. Cute!

June Gift Toppers Workshop Highlights

As you may know, I have been teaching workshops as part of my 'micro-business' (The Gifted Blog and its related endeavors). Here are some highlights from the June Gift Toppers Workshop!

5 awesome students x 3 gift toppers each = a good time.

This class had the most varied materials to work with so far. We had some unusual plastic bags for the pom-poms (above), and each participant brought their own Mylar bag to make a Mylar wrapper ribbon. There was a learning curve to adapt to the differences in materials, but everyone had a great attitude!

I decided to throw caution to the wind and buy - gasp! - colored tissue for our tissue paper blossoms (being unfurled above). In the hands of my students, they turned out beautifully!

I had a lovely time. We swapped stories of how our families wrap gifts. We marveled that one student's sister (a former professional) wraps her gifts with the seam at the edge of the box, making the gift wrap appear seamless. We were also very honored to have two self-professed "not crafty" women in the mix, who - as you can see - did wonderfully!

It's a joy to pass on the satisfaction of making something with your own two hands. One student went home and made a Mylar wrapper ribbon for her daughter's hair. She attached it to a ponytail holder and her little girl loves it. Sweet! Whether you've taken a workshop or not, I hope you give an idea on The Gifted Blog a try. There's nothing like doing it yourself!

 Want more gift wrapping inspiration? Get free updates by email or RSS.

Reader Question: Not Quite Enough Gift Wrap

"I often have random pieces of wrapping paper left, and sometimes the piece would almost fit my gift, but with a less-than-1-inch gap. Are there some ways to remedy this situation instead of just using a brand new piece of bigger wrapping paper? (this question is actually from my roommate)"     --Sam

Great question, Sam and roommate! I'm sure this happens to other readers, too. You might try a band of contrasting paper that can wrap all the way around the gift and hide the gap. I like how this gift wrap enthusiast recommends folding under each length to make the edges crisp. (Actually, I realized he addresses your very situation here.)

Readers, what other solutions do you recommend for a too-short piece of wrapping paper? Please let us know. Sam, his roommate and I are eager to hear your gift wrapping ideas!

(Have a question to submit? Ask it here!)

{Images by Marco Bellucci and Kojac}