Wrapping beyond the gift bag Holidays are a time for giving—giving of time, giving of self, and yes, giving of gifts. It’s easy to be drawn to the convenience of the ever-popular gift bag with a tuft of tissue paper sticking out, or even the suspenseful close your eyes and put out your hands method of gift-wrapping. While these are both great options, each having their place, sometimes if there’s a little extra time, you can wrap something in a unique and beautiful way and make the gift that much more meaningful.
In Japan, the wrapping of the gift is just as important as the gift itself. It is an art form practiced throughout the year. The manner in which the gift is wrapped conveys the value of your relationship and so much more. While the intricacies of Japanese traditional wrapping may be too complex to learn quickly, the basics of the technique are fairly simple. Square cloths called Furoshiki are used. These can be made of all types of material from simple cottons to elaborate silks. You can order traditional Furoshiki online from Amazon or make your own by cutting fabric into basic square shapes or buying some thin cotton dish towels. 46
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2. Place your gift box in the center. 3. Fold the right point over and then follow with the left point. 4. Secure this layer with a ribbon tied across the package. 5. Next, take the top and bottom unfolded corners and smooth them as you pull them across the middle of the package. 6. Tie them in a knot and you’re finished! You’ve created an eco-friendly, beautifully wrapped gift with a wrapping which can be used again and again. If you are looking for something a bit funkier, consider using a map. Maps are a unique and personal way to make your wrapping special. You can find used maps at garage sales and some used bookstores. eBay also has vintage travel maps you can buy relatively inexpensively in lots of ten or more. Maybe there’s somewhere your friend has always wanted to travel to or a place that holds special memories for a loved one. At oldmapsonline.com, you can search for a specific city during a particular year and print it out at home for free. If you’re a AAA member, you can head to your local
WRITTEN BY SHELLY BRANDON
There are so many choices available in regards to media used for wrapping such as fabric, vintage maps, or even designing your own paper.
1. Simply lay your square fabric out so that it’s in the shape of a diamond.
