There are two kinds of people in the world: Those who love to wrap beautifully presented gifts with color-coordinated and perfectly “fluffed” bows – and everyone else.
The first group shops early, and often, for wrapping paper, ribbon, tape and cards and buys large quantities when they go on sale. Never knowing when they might need a particular themed wrapping ensemble, they store all their supplies in the perfect wrapping paper station or organizer within moment’s reach when the situation arises. To/From tags are lovingly written out in calligraphy, and all presents under a tree or brought out after each lighting of a menorah candle are lined up with the patterns all facing up and the seams cut and aligned perfectly straight using one or two pieces of tape.
The rest of us run out to the store at the 11th hour for a gift bag and have been known to staple the top closed because the elusive roll of Scotch tape is not to be found once again. We have remnants of gift-wrapping paper from years gone buy in uneven cuttings thrown into the back of closets where old decorations like papier-mâché turkeys and burned-out light strings live in a graveyard of ghosts from holidays past.
To/From tags either fall off to create awkward unwrapping moments between your spouse and your brother-in-law. Or you simply have adopted the Sharpie pen method and write the name straight on the paper to avoid said awkward moments again this year. Admit it, you’ve used an old Easter gift bag with a cute bunny on the front in a pinch for a toddler’s third birthday party because you didn’t have anything else outside of paper towels to use as gift wrapping.
Regardless of your gift-wrapping philosophies and frustrations, let’s all take a few moments to consider some good gift-wrapping safety protocols to use before tackling our next round of family holiday traditions.
- Paper cuts are real. Utilize proper hand-washing techniques and even some antiseptic cream and a Band-Aid to help head off any nasty infection that could be lurking on that paper you’ve stored in the back of your closet with your old moldy winter boots and who knows what else. That’s right, we see you and understand completely. Sepsis should not be included in any holiday tradition.
- Practice good ergonomics and posture when selecting your wrapping location – especially for those marathon wrapping sessions. Keep your telephone handy to call for help if you become locked in place after sitting on your bedroom floor for far too long trying to get that last niece or nephew’s annual Lego or Barbie obsession wrapped up before the kids get home from school.
- Place hot beverages like cocoa, tea or hot toddies on a coaster on a separate surface than the actual wrapping project. No one gets burned that way, and no one wonders on Christmas morning why their new sweater smells like brandy.
- Last but certainly not least, make sure you are up to date on all your immunizations. Not because gift wrapping can cause the flu or spread RSV, but the gathering together of all those people you’ve wrapped these gifts for certainly can.
No matter how you choose to wrap those gifts, celebrate the holidays or spend your time with loved ones and friends, we wish you all the merriest, happiest and most peaceful and blessed holiday season yet.