The perfect gift deserves a creative, innovative, playful wrapping, contends Wanda Wen, author of "The Art of Gift Wrapping: 50 Innovative Ideas Using Organic, Unique, and Uncommon Materials." This is just as true when wrapping gifts for children, no matter how tempting it is to grab wrapping paper printed with the recipient's favorite cartoon character. Clever gift wraps can double as a second gift, transform a simple gift into a memorable one or preserve the surprise by disguising an obviously shaped package.
Value-Added Wrapping
Wrap a gift inside a gift, suggests Espen Markussen in "Wrap It Up: 100s of Fast, Fun, and Festive Gift Wrapping Ideas," or use a toy as part of the embellishment of your gift wrap. Tuck a new outfit for the first day of school into a backpack tied with a big ribbon. Wrap up a vacation souvenir gift in a printed T-shirt from the same venue. Incorporate a rattle or teething ring into the wrapping of an infant's gift, or decorate a gift for a toddler with a small stuffed animal.
Disguise Wraps
Some gifts give themselves away unless you take pains to disguise them with unusual wrapping. Check out the supply of shipping materials and packages at the post office for ideas to wrap distinctively shaped gifts. Turn a mailing tube into a gift-giving critter with a paper-plate head and limbs cut from cardboard or construction paper. Wrap a toy in layer upon layer of bubble wrap with no other covering--and beg the recipient's parent to forgive you for the hours of popping fun the child will have with your wrapping job.
Balloon Wrap
Surprise an older child with a stuffed animal, small toy or cash "wrapped" in an inflated balloon. Purchase heavy-duty balloons for this purpose, especially if the toy has corners or hard edges. Push the toy into the deflated balloon then inflate it with a helium tank. Add several other balloons to create a bouquet, and let the birthday boy pop the balloons to get his gift. For larger gifts, inflate a dozen balloons and tuck them into a box as padding for a toy. When the child opens the box, the balloons will pop out, leaving the gift behind. Keep in mind that balloons are choking and suffocation hazards. Only use them if you know that no small children will have access to the broken balloons.
Wrapping Gift Cards
Gift cards and cash may seem uninspired as gifts for kids, but they're a legitimate solution if you're buying for a tween or teen. Creative wrapping can add a personal dimension to a typically impersonal gift. Instead of the usual envelope, fit the packaging to the card. Wrap a gift certificate to a music store in a CD jewel case, or slide a gift card to a gaming store into the middle of a deck of playing cards and wrap the box of cards.
References
- "The Art of Gift Wrapping: 50 Innovative Ideas Using Organic, Unique, and Uncommon Materials"; Wanda Wen; 2010
- "Wrap It Up: 100s of Fast, Fun, and Festive Gift Wrapping Ideas"; Espen Markussen; 2009
