Wrapping Joy

Gift wrapping is an art form that takes center stage at the holidays. A beautifully wrapped present adds an element of surprise and excitement to gift-giving. Like other creative arts, gift wrapping is a skill — one that demands practice. 

Mother-daughter duo Brenda Thomasin and Britton Green co-own Paper + More, an Oklahoma City boutique specializing in fine stationery and one-of-a-kind gifts. 

“Our store has always provided gift wrapping services with professional techniques,” says Green. “That standard has carried through the 43 years that Paper + More has been in business.”  

Red, green, gold and silver are traditional color palettes for holiday gift wrap. However, unconventional designs and shades are on the rise. 

“The trend for Christmas décor the last couple of years has been a lot of bright colors,” says Green. “We saw a lot of pink, turquoise and other really fun colors.” 

For a more minimalist look, brown paper packaging and twine is a timeless combination. Dried flowers, small bells and stencils can be added to the outside of the paper to give it a more elevated feel. 

Upcycled and eco-friendly materials, such as reusable gift boxes and newspapers, are popular among consumers looking for thrifty alternatives. Furoshiki, an ancient Japanese method that involves wrapping gifts in pieces of scrap fabric, can also be accomplished with reused materials. 

One of the most important factors in achieving a professional look is selecting high-quality supplies. 

“It all starts with the quality of the paper,” shares Green. 

Premium, heavy-weight wrapping paper is less likely to wrinkle and tear when handled. It also includes gridlines, which are helpful for measuring and cutting wrapping paper with a strong level of precision. 

Make sure to lay your gift on a flat surface with the print-side facing down when measuring your paper. For crisp, seamless folds, use double-sided tape.

“Match your pattern on the back and use double-stick tape underneath the fold so there isn’t tape showing on the outside,” says Thomasin. 

To wrap odd-shaped objects, place them inside of a larger box or sack first. If the object won’t fit, Thomasin recommends trying out the “Tootsie Roll method,” which involves rolling up the item in a large piece of paper securing both ends with ribbon. 

While gift-wrapping may feel like another to-do, Green recommends making the experience a fun holiday tradition. 

“I personally love to spread out on my floor, turn on a Christmas movie and get a fire going,” she says. “It’s something special that you’re doing for someone else, so it does make you feel good if you get in the right mindset about it.” 

Paper + More has thousands of rolls of gift wrap available in store, along with handmade ribbons and bows, gift tags, acrylic ornaments and more. “We’re a small business, and so truly it’s the customers that bring us so much joy,” says Green. “To see the store full of people shopping and looking for something unique that they can’t get on Amazon or a big box store means the world to us… it feels like a community, and that’s what we love so much about it.” 

Main image credit: Photo courtesy Paper + More