ALT-2 Best way to Wrap a Gift without Wrapping Paper
What is the best way to wrap a gift without wrapping paper? The traditional gift giver will stick to exquisite gift wrapping paper - the gift must look as good on the outside as it is, even better. The Japanese will say silk cloth is better - besides being easy to work with, silk cloth drapes around any odd shape with ease and a quaint cloth ribbon bow is all you need to secure it at the top or side of the wrap. Wrapping paper, wrapping cloth, wrapping ribbon, or none at all, the best way to wrap a gift without wrapping paper is no myth.
1. Use tissue paper.
If your gift is edible and will not melt, and you need to wrap hundreds of them for door gifts, the best and fastest way is to use good and solid tissue paper. Put the gift in the center of the tissue, lift up the opposite corners of the tissue, and roll them together. Then do likewise with the remaining two corners. Secure with a staple or a strong clip.
1. Use cellophane paper.
Coloured or plain stiff cellophane paper makes great wrappers for gifts that you intend to show off. You could wrap the gift in plain paper first, then in the cellophane paper. Cellophane paper also makes great wrappers for a host of individual smaller items that can be put together as a hamper.
2. Use aluminium foil.
Aluminium foil works well for food gifts and little packages. Tie bright bold ribbons across the surfaces and they make nice packages for the Christmas tree. You have a choice of gold, silver or brass colours.
3. Use recycled plastic bags.
Stiff plastic wraps which are once used on new clothes can cover packages to protect against wetting. Secure the loose edges to the packages firmly with coloured sticky tape.
4. Use waxed or glossy magazine and newspaper.
Printed black words on white glossy paper make a chic wrapper, in a class of its own. If you have old music scores for Christmas carols, they can add to the festive mood when they are used to wrap small gifts.
5. Use cloth.
As mentioned, cloth is a versatile and reusable gift wrapping material, for another gift or even for making into an item. Depending on the size of the item, you could use a silk blanket, a silk scarf or a silk kerchief as your wrapping material. You could secure the wrap using a ribbon round the gathered corners of the silk material, or even using a nice pin or brooch to hold smaller gift wrapping. Little cloth pouches or purses make great gift wraps for jewelry.
6. Use straw mat pouches.
Straw mat pouches can be woven with naturally scented or perfumed dry stalks from rice or other suitable plants. The pouches that are made from plant stalks are environmentally-friendly, reusable, and a unique wrap. They are great for items that cannot be bent, as they are firm and not easily folded. They make a great companion for gifts made from wood, such as carved photograph frames, key chains, and plagues.
7. Use banana, pandan and coconut leaves.
These leaves are great for wrapping food gifts, as they add flavour and scent to the food gifts. Fresh pandan and coconut leaves are long and flexible, and are thus first woven into mats before they are used as gift wraps. They are great for rice products, desserts and condiments.
8. Use a container.
With the latest glass blowing techniques, clay pottery and plastic molding processes, quaint looking containers are in the market. They are great for food gifts, or gifts that are small and given in large quantities, such as origami love notes, chocolates and sweets, and special stones. Containers come in all sizes and shapes to suit the gift and occasion.
9. Use envelopes.
A nice ordinary envelope or a gift card envelope works fine for small and flat gifts. Simply doll up the envelope with your doodles and bold greetings.
10. Use gift bags.
These bags come in plastics and cardboard, although occasionally you will find them in cloth material. They work great if you do not have good wrapping skills, and if you have an odd shaped gift that does not come in a box.
11. Use just a ribbon and a note, or just as it is.
Some gifts are such good lookers that you do not do it injustice by hiding it beneath layers of gift wraps. A nice bow or ribbon tied to an appropriate part of the gift accentuates its loveliness. Otherwise, give it as it is, with a hug and a kiss.
What is the best way to wrap a gift without wrapping paper? It all depends on the gift, the giver and the recipient. The best way to wrap a gift with or without a wrap of paper or other material, is to wrap it in your arms of sincere love, and given with blessings from your lips. If that way of wrapping a gift is too mushy for you, you have the above eleven ways to consider and select from.
