Stylishly presented presents (December 01, 2011)
Stylishly presented presents
I've always believed that there should be as much thought and consideration given to how a present is wrapped, as to the nature (and recipient) of the present itself.
Firstly, the wrapping paper you use …
As always, Paperchase has a stunning range of hand-made paper, together with a large range of heavily embossed and beautifully decorated wrapping papers. Specialist paper can be bought as individual pieces or as part of larger rolls of the more traditional style of wrapping paper. Excellent ranges are also found at John Lewis and Rossiters of Bath who have paper of tremendous quality that are really individual. A huge selection of wrapping paper is also available on eBay. However the problem with buying online means you cannot assess the quality of the paper you are buying before it's bought.
A wonderful idea I came across recently, was to photocopy old vintage photographs of family members and use the photocopis (in black and white or sepia for a vintage look) as wrapping paper. Another chic idea that I really like, but have never used personally, is to use brown parcel paper. Parcel paper has an intricate ribbed effect to it when looked at up close, and is very chic topped off with a luggage label and some old-fashioned thick velvet ribbon tied in a huge dramatic bow. This look is perfect if you're going for a traditional feel to your gifts and décor.
My style is very ostentatious, so I love to use ribbons and other adornments. I commonly use broken and old bits of costume jewellery (gold and silver plated chains, rhinestone necklaces and brooch's), Swarovski crystals (even those that are a little beaten up – it all adds to the vintage-charm). If you're looking for inspiration, a visit to the haberdashery department in John Lewis Cardiff, will give you lots of ideas from skeleton leaves, to trims of heavy lace or sequins. I also use off-cuts of ribbons (retrieved from presents of old), beaded trims (typically used for costumes or cushions) and feathers (peacock feathers and ostrich feathers are an especially dramatic statement). Strings of pearls are also a fabulously chic touch, with a wonderful selection of pearls and other strings of beads (also individual beads) available from Crystals and Ice, High Street Arcade, Cardiff (www.crystals-and-ice.co.uk/index.html).
Recently, I've become aware of the use of old wallpaper as a chic form of wrapping, which my husband gleefully pointed out is not a new at all, and has in fact been done for generations [We used to have to use wallpaper to cover our school text books. Ed.]. With the current popularity of flocked and textured wallpaper, it's inevitable that you'll have part used rolls of wallpaper taking up valuable storage space in the back of your cupboards. The beauty of using wallpaper is that it is thick and unlikely to tear or split on sharp edges. You may have to score the underside a little in certain sections to obtain a clean, sharp edge on corners, but I would certainly recommend giving this a go. Also, in line with the current popularity of all things vintage, why not look out at car-boot sales for partially used rolls of vintage wallpaper, they should cost next to nothing and will mean a truly unique, and beautifully wrapped present.
Other suggestions for a unique way to customize are gift are to use Christmas tree baubles (be careful with hand-blown glass ones as they are very fragile). M&S has a stunning range of glass baubles for 2011, and John Lewis' range is also very strong this year. If you are looking for something more individual, Rossiters of Bath has a lovely range of baubles, which have a strong vintage feel and as they have few high-street outlets, you're almost guaranteed something unusual and unique. Craft-inspired designs are also huge this season, such as a lovely bauble produced by M&S this year which is a stuffed grey fabric heart hung from a piece of ribbon.
I was also surprised this year by the quality and selection of Christmas decorations at Poundstretcher. They have a large selection of sequin and mirrored baubles, in a range of colours, with the small mirrored baubles being perfect for adorning gifts, these baubles look great suspended from beautifully wrapped gifts, which are then gifts in themselves.
Another easy way to achieve a stunningly wrapped gift is to use wired ribbon, which allows you to achieve dramatic and perfectly presented bows with relative ease. As the ribbon is wired on the outer edges, which can be re-manipulated as you wish, other wrapped gifts can be stored on top of pre-wrapped gifts easily and without damaging them (say under your tree or in your storage cupboard). Then, just prior to presenting your gift, the bow can be re-adjusted and 'fluffed up' to look as good as new. I wouldn't recommend stacking pre-wrapped presents on which you have used velvet or satin type ribbons, as these inevitably become flat and difficult to make full again.
Matching your present decorations with the colour-scheme you have chosen for your Christmas tree (and other interior seasonal decorations) always looks really finished-off and chic. I would suggest choosing three colours that work well together (I think two colours looks a little restricted), such as white, silver and black. Teal, silver and deep blue also work well as they are all cool shades, and traditional combinations such as antique gold, red and holly-green always work well. A good idea is to stick with a Christmas theme and then add to your collection as time goes on. Perhaps buy one type of new decoration each year as a reminder of that year. Providing all the decorations mix well together you can then use some decorations one year, and the remainder another, and the look will still all be tied-in, together and refreshed.
For awkward shaped gifts, or if you want to use something other than paper, organza fabric can be bought relatively cheaply in metre rolls and looks lovely gathered around jars and secured at the top with a dramatic bow. Another alternative is voile or netting which you can find in metre lengths in any good haberdashery department or fabric shop. Cellophane (as traditionally used by florists) can be bought in a myriad of colours and styles (again in metre length rolls). I recently purchased a stunning 'Vienna' style cellophane, which mimics flock wallpaper, and used it to wrap the hamper I traditionally buy my family each year (which I make myself), I also treated myself to cellophane decorated with large white spots and a frosted gingham-inspired cellophane wrap, which all linked in with my chosen colour theme this year. Cellophane bags, decorated in different colours and designs (this year I treated myself to Zebra printed black and clear bags and another design decorated with white damask), are perfect for placing items into which, whilst nice gifts, may not be nicely packaged in themselves – commonly I use this for conserves and chutney's which are not packaged in a particularly exciting way or in keeping with the general theme/style I am aiming for. If the packaged item is still clearly visible through the cellophane wrap, and is not achieving the look you wanted, use one piece of co-ordinating tissue paper and then use the cellophane wrap. That should work perfectly.
Another nice packaging idea is to use pre-made organza bags, with ribbon draw-strings; a huge selection of them are available on eBay. Commonly used to hold wedding favours or confetti, I use them for small gifts or as small carrier bags filled with confectionery, which I give to guests to take away with them after a dinner party. Velvet bags are also another chic alternative to wrapping paper, (especially for small items such as earrings and necklaces), again a huge selection of these in all shapes, colours and sizes are available on eBay and are considerably cheaper than high-street alternatives.
Have fun wrapping!
Claire Meredith, 1 December 2011
Also by Claire Meredith:
Accessorize your home this Christmas; December 2011
Shades of Grey; Caregos Couture new collection; September 2011
History of costume Jewellery; September 2010
Easter/Spring party gift and decoration ideas; March 2010
Modern accessories vs retro-chic; March 2010
New Art Gallery in Cardiff 'Off the Wall'; Septermber 2009
Statement necklaces; September 2009
George Thomas Hospice 'Style In the City' event; May 2009
Whitefriars Glass, February 2009
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