Trying to find the perfect holiday gift for everyone on your list can be challenging and stressful by itself, but facing the often enormous task of getting all those presents wrapped can be enough to put a dent in anyone's festive mood. Luckily, with a little planning, some thoughtful organization, and a touch of creativity, you can finish your holiday wrapping in no time flat and create truly unique and impressive gift packages.
After graduating from NYU's Tisch School of the Arts, Lara Greenberg moved to Los Angeles where she worked in the film and television industry for 12 years. Today Greenberg is the director of Streamline, a specialized service she founded to help clients refine their home and work environments and simplify their lives. Here she offers some tips for managing your holiday wrapping:
- Designate a wrapping area.
One very helpful idea is to set up a gift-wrapping area where you have all the room you need to do the job right. Choose a corner of a spare room or clean storage area, set up a large wrapping table, and keep all your supplies handy.
- Store supplies together.
Try buying a large portable storage bin to hold all of your wrapping paper, supplies, and accessories. This way, everyone in the family will know exactly
where the wrapping supplies are and won't have to come to you for help.
- Stock up ahead of time.
Make sure you're well stocked on supplies before you start wrapping. Do you have a good sharp pair of scissors, plenty of double-stick tape, wrapping paper, and gift boxes? Taking inventory of the essentials will eliminate the need for last-minute trips to the drug store.
- Get creative and personal.
Organization is not the only key to great wrapping; you should also think about presentation. It's always fun to try to tailor the gift-wrap to the gift, or even to the personality of the recipient. Check out craft stores for unusual ribbons or other fun accessories to put on top of boxes. Going the extra mile to create a truly beautiful and unique wrapping job will add a little extra joy to the tradition of exchanging gifts.
For more holiday gift wrapping ideas, check out the following organizations or websites:
Streamline
www.streamline-la.com
HGTV: Gift Wrapping
www.hgtv.com
HGTV: Easy Gift Wrapping
www.hgtv.com
Holiday Gift Wrapping By Arleen M. Kaptur
www.rubyglen.com
Creative Holiday Gift Wrapping Ideas
tn.essortment.com
The Acorn: Get Creative with your Holiday Wrapping
www.theacorn.com
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