I am mere minutes from picking up Mikey from school. In T-minus 30 minutes, Christmas vacation officially starts. I can’t wait! There will be much baking, crafting, and merry making. There will also be present wrapping. Every year I try to do something different. Last year was about my love of tulle, and how nicely said fabric matched the homemade marshmallows I made everyone. I could swear I wrote a post about wrapping presents with tulle, but I can’t find it anywhere. Oh well.
This year I am all about the Kraft paper, which I use for almost everything all throughout the year. I’m not the only one using Kraft paper this year. It’s a popular choice for 2009, and perhaps that reflects a cultural shift in our society. Following economic downturns, populations will, by consequence, simplify and turn inward, reflecting on their life and the artifices that no longer brings them pleasure. Zzzzzzzz. Personally, I just think it’s super cute. Besides, it gave me an excuse to use my mom’s blue typewriter from the 70s, the very same one with which I typed away many an atrocious short story as an awkward 9 year old. Me and old blue, we go back.
I was going to use plain Kraft paper, but I came across this postage themed Kraft paper at Staples and couldn’t resist how it matched the packing labels already in my cart. I tied everything up with a giant ball of hemp twine I bought months ago to package items for a customer. Then, my favorite part: ol’ blue. A sweet Christmas message on one side for the recipient. On the other side, a quote (I love quotes) I felt reflected their personality or passions in life. Finding the quotes for all my friends and family has been my favorite part, hands down. I have several books on quotes (thanks to my mom) and countless online resources I turn to often. I may have found two or three or twenty quotes I like for myself in the process, causing quite a delay in the assembly line and one or two last minute, freak-out wrapping sessions so I could make it to the post office before the angry noon mob.
Eek! Speaking of noon–I’m off to pick up Mikey. Yahoo! :)
I love that paper. And I love that it’s from Staples.
I hate when people showcase paper on their blog and it’s $43 for one roll.
Thanks for keeping it real. :)
I know what you mean! Hey, I would love silk screened paper made from elephant dung and manufactured by a collective of artisan elves from the North Pole just like the next gal, but a budget is a budget. If you ask me, feeling you have to use $43 wrapping paper to make a gift presentable is the same mentality that put us in a recession.
{steps off soapbox}
Oh, nice wrapping paper � and I KNOW wrapping paper! ;-) $43/roll is ridiculous for wrapping paper, that’s called wallpaper! Anyways, I digress… Love you special touches on it, Jules. I can see Tristan completely clapping with glee when she gets it. Merry Christmas!
I love quotes too! Just recently getting into them – Jules, would you mind sharing links for your online resources? Thanks in advance and happy holidays!
Love your wrapped presents by the way – the recipients are lucky gals/guys!
Sure! :) My favorites are Think Exist and Quote Garden. These sites seem to be the most comprehensive. You’ll find the best quotes from books on quotes, which are becoming increasingly hard to come by. I can’t find them in stores anymore! My mom bought me this one when I got married; I love it and refer to it often.
I love it! You took such simple elements and made them beautiful and so personal! The quote idea is brilliant- I love when gifts have so many layers of meaning. It gets my heart rate up with excitement. Maybe I should get out more…
I absolutely love this!!! I want to go back and unwrap all of my gifts and re-wrap ’em!
Lovely ideas!