Crazy Gift Wrap...........but I kind of like it

It is a crazy kind of gift wrap presentation isn't it? When it comes to wrapping up birthday gifts for my friends I tend to go a little crazy and mix it up a bit. Something I have been wanting to do, layer up some crazy patterns, mix it up, have a little gift wrap fun. I kind of like it and I think she will too.

If it looks a bit too crazy and over-the-top than I think you would be right, that was exactly the effect I was going for, something a bit outrageous. I am actually being somewhat efficient, using up bits and pieces I keep here in my studio. The bottom red layer is gift wrap of course, but the second layer with the folded edges is a Schumacher sample page from an old wallpaper book. Designers take note, purge those outdated wallpaper books of good patterns, they come in handy for small gift wrapping and layering patterns, something us designers love to do. It reminds me of my designer days.

That top layer is a short piece of black flocked ribbon that is quite wide, a short leftover piece that had no hope of being used in any other way. The Paris label and double-sided tape is holding all the layers in position. They all fold across the back too which is where the double-sided tape comes in handy.

My point in showing you this presentation effect is to encourage you to do something I always go on and on about in this blog, use up your leftover pieces of gift wrap, put them together, create something that will have a special effect. Experiment a bit when gift wrapping. You might not want an effect this dramatic but the technique can twist in many directions. I am guessing that you have gift wrap choices that can be mixed up this way too.

I was looking to give this gift a french feel, something to capture the nature of the gift, a copy of My French Life by Vicki Archer. Do you think it worked?

Remember my summer gift wrap camp? This red crystal flower was one of the scrapbook embellishments that I was going to try. You could also use a vintage brooch for this type of gift presentation and it would be truly fabulous.

We try to spoil the birthday girl with multiple gifts, prolong the gift opening pleasure, make her feel special. Four friends celebrate each of our birthdays which happen to be nicely-spaced throughout the year. One of them once mentioned dispensing with the gifts and just doing dinner................we all laughed. No gifts once a year, no spoiling the birthday girl? Now that would be crazy.

All photos by Sande Chase ~ A Gift Wrapped Life