Full disclosure–back when I was young, I used to think it was imperative to wrap packages beautifully and expertly if possible. I can remember checking books out of the library that showed you how to wrap packages to make them appear to be a different item or even look like decorations under the tree. I wasn’t the best Christmas present wrapper, but I tried. I used bows, ribbons, and I was very meticulous about how I wrapped the packages.
I don’t remember the first time I saw a gift bag, but I think I was kind of a hard-sell on those. Why would someone stuff a gift in a bag, stuff tissue paper in the top, and put it under the tree? Wasn’t that cheating? So I only used this as a last resort when the gift I gave was oddly shaped or too obnoxious to wrap traditionally.
As I grew older, I began to realize why my mom didn’t like wrapping gifts. It’s a time-consuming activity that takes you away from more important pursuits. And why spend so much time wrapping a package that someone will rip into in a matter of seconds?
I love gift bags now! I don’t overuse them, but they are lifesavers when I am in a hurry. And now they have so many beautiful ones from which to choose. So if given a choice, I would prefer a gift bag over traditional wrapping paper. It’s so much easier and often provides a much prettier offering than I could achieve with wrapping paper.
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4 Comments
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I used to wrap with the Christmas paper. Now I use the bags . It’s so much easier. If I can get out of wrapping all the better. For my grandson , I actually wrap with the cute paper.
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Not only do I use gift bags, I reuse them if they’re in good shape, but just for those of us living in the household. And with one friend–it’s a running joke with her.
I do wrap gifts, too.
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As a child, I would never tear in to a package… I would open as neatly as I could, finding the tape and seams to the best of my ability. But bags did seem a cheat to me as a child. I do love bags, now though. I am terrible at wrapping, and bags can be reused! That said, with three kids, I definitely gift wrap.
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I always used to wrap every Santa Claus present and it killed my back. Now l only wrap the presents around the tree as l don’t have Santa anymore. Kaiyden is my youngest l do miss Santa even though we still leave cookies and milk out. I wrap everything under the tree. I love watching the element of surprise from the teenagers. I do use bags occasionally when l am in a real hurry. So l had better start wrapping l am slow to wrap this year.
