Do you want to know what I think about when I wake up WIDE awake at 4 in the morning?
Well keep reading because this whole post is from me not being able to go back to sleep.
Prepare yourself for something monumental and mind blowing.
I was flashing back to the Christmases of yesteryear. When as a child, I'd see all the packages under the tree wrapped in a beautiful array of colors and designs. And then there would be the one present. The one that wasn't square, but rather odd shaped. It was obviously in some sort of hard plastic, but what was it? Oh the curiosity and wonderment. The anticipation of unwrapping and discovering it's contents. It would just drive me wild!
Fast forward to today. I will be the first to admit that I've gotten lazy in the gift wrapping department. Just stick it in a bag, throw some tissue paper (saved from a prior gift bag) on top and call it done. Can you picture it? A Christmas tree with nothing but gift bags underneath. Not the happy happy visual I'm going for. But each year I stick more and more presents in bags. And not just Christmas, but birthday presents, wedding presents, etc.
It's getting out of control.
Well keep reading because this whole post is from me not being able to go back to sleep.
Prepare yourself for something monumental and mind blowing.
I was flashing back to the Christmases of yesteryear. When as a child, I'd see all the packages under the tree wrapped in a beautiful array of colors and designs. And then there would be the one present. The one that wasn't square, but rather odd shaped. It was obviously in some sort of hard plastic, but what was it? Oh the curiosity and wonderment. The anticipation of unwrapping and discovering it's contents. It would just drive me wild!
Fast forward to today. I will be the first to admit that I've gotten lazy in the gift wrapping department. Just stick it in a bag, throw some tissue paper (saved from a prior gift bag) on top and call it done. Can you picture it? A Christmas tree with nothing but gift bags underneath. Not the happy happy visual I'm going for. But each year I stick more and more presents in bags. And not just Christmas, but birthday presents, wedding presents, etc.
It's getting out of control.
But just to show you that I am not the only one affected by this ongoing epidemic, here is a picture of all the gift bags that I or someone in my family have received within the last few years.
AND I've actually gotten rid of a few, by of course, reusing them myself! Don't judge me! You know you do it too. LOL!
There are baby shower bags, Christmas bags, Birthday bags, Valentines bags, and all purpose bags.
With this all said, I'm going to turn over a new leaf. I mean if Mom did it, so can I!
I'm going to try to wrap and not bag, at least 75% of the presents from here on out. What? I couldn't just go cold turkey. I mean, look at all those beautiful bags, for crying out loud. I can't waste them! LOL!
Though at my age you don't get invited to as many baby showers any more and I have about 15 baby shower bags. OY! I think it's time to donate.
What do you think?
Do you do this? Are you going to take this little gift wrapping challenge with me?
Did you even read this far or did I lose you at monumental and mind blowing?
LOVE YOU MY FRIENDS!
With this all said, I'm going to turn over a new leaf. I mean if Mom did it, so can I!
I'm going to try to wrap and not bag, at least 75% of the presents from here on out. What? I couldn't just go cold turkey. I mean, look at all those beautiful bags, for crying out loud. I can't waste them! LOL!
Though at my age you don't get invited to as many baby showers any more and I have about 15 baby shower bags. OY! I think it's time to donate.
What do you think?
Do you do this? Are you going to take this little gift wrapping challenge with me?
Did you even read this far or did I lose you at monumental and mind blowing?
LOVE YOU MY FRIENDS!
I have four basic wrapping papers and have done this forever. Gifts will either be wrapped in nonprinted
ReplyDeletenewspaper, freezer wrap which can be two different papers...one time shiny and another matte. Then brown craft paper. I can make it look different depending on the ribbon, twine, string or yarn I use.
I love to use gift bags because they are gentler on the earth since we reuse them, rather than the paper which gets torn and tossed. So keep using all these beauties when you give gifts, and for a gorgeous Christmas, I agree with you, wrap some packages if that gives you joy.
ReplyDeleteLOL - enough bags to last a life time
ReplyDeleteGirl I have so many baby bags it is ridiculous. I also save all of mine. I think I might be a close runner up to you. I like to use wrapping paper too. My mom is a bag lover and my kids just don't get as much joy at Christmas peeling stuff out of the bag. I told her next year she need to wrap them. I use them for teacher's gifts but for kids b-day parties we do wrapping paper.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the challenge.
To help me with that I always hit the after Christmas wrapping paper sales and buy the solid color ones so I can use them all year long. Right now I am using solid lime green and I top it with a tulle bow.
Hugs,
Mimi
Gift bags are definitely convenient for the oddly-shaped present. But, like Mimi said above, there's not nearly as much fun in pulling a piece of tissue out of a bag as there is in unwrapping a paper-wrapped gift, perhaps a little bit at a time.
ReplyDeleteI use both...but I far prefer wrapping paper since it's more fun for the recipient. But a bag's quicker for the giver!!
Have a great day,
Patti
I think you discovered your HUGE stash of gift bags the same way I did mine: by packing to move! I was shocked at how many had accumulated in my upstairs hall closet. I gave away the good ones and tossed the old one. There was no way I was going to pack them!
ReplyDeleteEven though gift bags reduce paper waste, they do not show much care and thought in the wrapping process. And as you know, half of the fun of receiving a gift is the presentation! An alternative to keeping a whole lot of different wraps on hand is to use just two different kinds: white butcher paper and brown kraft paper. Then you can stamp and paint to your heart's desire (or not), and decorate with colorful yarns, ribbons, and gift tags.
It is easier! But I am with ya....I like to see wrapped gifts too and I like to get em!! Blessings!
ReplyDeleteOh, I love wrapped gifts so much better than bags; there's much more of an element of surprise to them, plus they're so pretty! Bags are all the same....:) Although I too use bags at times; I accept your challenge, though.:) Maybe I can get better at gift wrapping, as I'm not the neatest one out there. Sometimes it looks like my toddler wrapped it.:) You could have a gift bag yard sale.:) Oh, list them on Ebay!:) Someone would buy them for sure!
ReplyDeleteI have bags that I reuse too, but in a pinch (meaning I go to the store and buy a present on the way there) I'll usually buy wrapping paper and wrap things on the way because it's cheaper and I can use the rest later :0)
ReplyDeleteLOL, Mamma you're so funny. You also seem to find the most interesting (and slightly weird) things to blog about. ;) But I love you, you bring a smile to my face everyday!
ReplyDeleteBags rock at my house. However, Christmas is ALWAYS a ripping tradition!
ReplyDeleteGift bags are just so easy. :D I know I have quite a few in our closet although not as many as you have. :D
ReplyDeleteI have a lot of bags but I keep paper in my paper organizer and order it from abc distributing where you can get it cheap cheap! I pick up cards or make them. I like to wrap the gift and put it in a bag because I love everything to look pretty....ha! Just me.
ReplyDeleteLove you!
No shame in using gift bags, but I commend you for taking up this challenge! Gift wrapping can be a great everyday reminder to be creative and try something new.
ReplyDeleteI found your post while doing research for my blog about gift wrapping (www.thegiftedblog.com). I would love to know what you think! I tend to feature ideas that are simple and budget-friendly, so I hope you find something that tickles your fancy.
Good luck in your endeavor!
Charissa
Kim,
ReplyDeleteI am right there with you. I too, have ton's of gift bags from every party imaginable and try to reuse them. It's a better alternative rather than throwing them away.
Love and Hugs ~ Kat
Time to purge:-)
ReplyDeleteI keep gift bags too my friend, though my supply has definitely gone down since I've reused so many. I'm not a very good wrapper as I don't like to take the time to make it all perfect - my hubs is good at that.
ReplyDeleteWrapping does make a nice presentation, but then you need boxes too! A few months back Myra at My Blessed Life showed a tutorial on how to make a simple pretty bow for packages - loved it. Here's the link:
http://myblessedlife.net/2009/12/ribbon-kissed-packages.html
Big I-was-just-thinking-how-thankful-I-am-for-gift-bags-when-I-put-the-Father's-Day-presents-in-them size hugs to you! Have a good night my friend! Love ya!!
Well, If you look closely my husbands Fathers Day gift was in a PINK bag LOL because the only ones I have are baby, bday or Christmas! LOL
ReplyDeletei have tried to wrap more but I'm likin Cheryls idea up there :) gonna have to give that a try!
Love you
I love gift bags, too. Who ever thought of that was a genius! The only time I ever get the wrapping paper out is at Christmas.
ReplyDeleteI refuse to use gift bags myself. For me, gift wrapping is as important as the gift within. I buy brown paper and decorate it with paints, stamps, stickers, whatever the children and I believe represents the receiver. We then tie the gift with yarn. Gift wrapping has become a lost art.
ReplyDelete