Browsing Tag

Gift Wrap

The Uncommon Life

Instagram Challenge: IT’S A WRAP

December 17, 2015

Instagram Challenge | It's A Wrap

The next Instagram Challenge theme is IT’S A WRAP. As you may have learned from our creative gift wrapping tips, we think that wrapping gifts can feel just as great as giving gifts. After all, the gifting experience starts as soon as your giftee sees your colorful gift box, flawlessly wrapped package, or nifty reusable gift bag. (Which is why we’re so excited for the chance to offer you free downloadable gift tags!) Whether it’s a gift you’re giving or receiving, we want to wrap up the season by celebrating the extra TLC that goes into thoughtful present presentation. While sharing your festive photos, be sure to use the hashtag #UGInstaFun to be in the running for a $50 gift card. Visit here to see the creative entries we’ve received so far.

From all of us at UncommonGoods, we wish you and your loved ones a happy holiday season!

 

 

Congratulations to @inspiredtoshare for winning our Holiday Hacks Instagram Challenge with her holiday hack: “put a bow on it.” She decorated her Christmas wreath with a beautiful bow that she saved from last year! 

Instagram Challenge Winner | Holiday Hacks | #UGInstaFun

The Uncommon Life

Creative Gift Wrapping Tips to Get You Excited to Give This Holiday Season

December 10, 2015

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Giving gifts can feel great, but wrapping them? Not so much. Finding the perfect box and wrapping paper to fit your present are often the beginning of a tiresome process that often intimidates even the most thoughtful of gift-givers. We get it, more often than not,  it is simpler to just throw the gift in a bag with some tissue paper and call it a day. But, it doesn’t have to be that way. Wrapping gifts can feel just as great as giving gifts if you’re armed with the right supplies, tips, and attitude.

We’ve put together some creative and easy-to-follow tips for gift wrapping that will make even the least seasoned gift wrapper excited to pull out the paper and bows.

Basic Tools of the Trade

It’s ideal to have the following supplies on-hand while gift-wrapping:

  • Wrapping paper (depending on the size of the gift you can also use newspaper or another fun alternative)
  • Straight-edge ruler
  • Scissors
  • Double-sided tape (you can use decorative tape or Washi Tape if you don’t have any double-sided tape)

 Tips for Wrapping Gorgeous Gifts

Gift Wrapping Tips

  1. Use a straight-edge ruler to measure the dimensions of your gift box. It’s okay if your measurement are a little off. You’re still learning. It’s better to have a little too much paper than not enough because you can always cut off the excess if you need to.
  2. Make sure you cut your gift wrap so that you have double the width of wrapping as the width of your box.
  3. Cut along the edge of the ruler to keep your lines straight.
  4. Make sure you have just enough paper left on each end to go up the height of the box.
  5. Use double-sided tape to avoid unsightly tape lines. Place the tape right along the crease at the edge of the package. If you don’t have double-sided tape, you can use Washi tape, so the visible tape lines get a fun touch of design too.
  6. Smooth out the edges by pressing along the creases after closing the wrapping with your tape.

Now that your gift is wrapped, you can add some special touches to personalize your gift even more:

Origami Ornaments

We re-used pages from our 2015 holiday catalog to create these cute origami gift ornaments. For the origami heart in the video below get the folding instructions here, for other fun origami projects check out this site.

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Gift Tags

Print our free gift tags here: http://www.uncommongoods.com/fun/free-downloads/free-downloads

  • Bonus tip: Use a decorative hole-punch to add extra pizzazz to your present.

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Twine

Measure your twine so it is approximately six times the width of your gift box. Wrap the twine around the top of the package, cross it at the bottom of the package and then wrap it back around to the front to create the shape of a plus sign. Insert your gift tag or other origami ornament over the twine before tying it in a bow or a knot.

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We hope these tips help make your holiday preparation a little easier, and add a little extra twinkle to your giftees’ eyes before they rip open their perfect presents. Happy holidays–and happy wrapping!

The Uncommon Life

How to Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Revamp Your Gift Wrap

December 18, 2014

One scroll through the 200+ pins on our “Yum” Pinterest board would reveal that we drool over a perfectly plated photo as much as the next social media fiend. That little extra TLC in the presentation makes all the difference in a meal. We think the same phenomenon applies in gift giving. Just like a perfectly plated meal, a beautifully packaged present makes the gift giving experience even more joyful. Careful wrapping can require the same attention to detail as decorating a cake. Finding the right spices is just as crucial as sealing a present with a beautiful bow.

B Corp Champions Retreat | UncommonGoods
Photo by Justina Blakeney

 

Just as we wouldn’t want a gorgeous meal to go to waste, we don’t want to see pretty gift wrap overflowing out of the trash can. Unfortunately, though, it’s said that Americans alone contribute around 5 million tons of extra waste between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day, a great portion of which is from disposable wrapping paper and shopping bags. Yikes! Instead of feeling discouraged, it’s time to get creative and plan ahead! For those who opt out of our gift wrapping option, we gathered some of our favorite DIY wrapping ideas from Pinterest and the “blogosphere” that will give your wrapping game a sustainable face-lift while honoring the gift that you worked so hard to find.

Revamp With Nature

Justina Blakeney, one of our all-time favorites, finds creative gift wrapping inspiration in her own backyard! Check out how she made these “junglelicious” designs here.

Sustainable Gift Wrap | UncommonGoods

Sustainable Gift Wrap | UncommonGoods

 

Repurpose “Furoshiki” Style

Furoshiki, or “the art of wrapping with fabric,” is a creative way to give scarves, pocket squares, handkerchiefs, and other fabrics a second life. We recommend this step-by-step guide to Furoshiki gift wrapping and this tutorial by Omiyage.

Sustainable Gift Wrap | UncommonGoods

 

Reuse Retired Maps

Your map collection shouldn’t be collecting dust now that smart phones are taking over. Wherever your gift is heading, this nostalgic technique by Country Living will be sure to make your giftee smile.

Sustainable Gift Wrap | UncommonGoods

 

Revive Newspaper and Sheet Music

When you’ve already caught up on the Sunday comics, or mastered every chord of Jingle Bells, consider saving these elements for your next gift. See Page Smith’s design for inspiration!

Sustainable Gift Wrap | UncommonGoods

 

Revisit Old Book Pages

Our team loves all things literary, especially literary gifts.  We instantly fell in love with Erin Nish’s vintage design below, which will make a great presentation for small gifts. For larger items, we recommend trying this DIY garland design by Better Homes and Gardens. 

 

Sustainable Gift Wrap | UncommonGoods

 

Rip Out Your Favorite Calendar Pages

When you’ve flipped through your wall calendar and reflected on the last 12 months, save your favorite pages for your next gift!  Real Simple recommends this method for wrapping paperback books and other small items.

Sustainable Gift Wrap | UncommonGoods

 

Record with #BringBackTheBow

As you may have read in our last blog post, we’re pretty giddy about our newest social media contest: #BringBacktheBow. We’re asking the craftiest gift gurus around to share their prettiest wrapped presents with the hashtag #BringBacktheBow for a chance to win a $50 gift card! If you tag your giftee, both of you will be in the running for $50 at UncommonGoods! Extra points if you can exercise gift wrap RRR. Let the green “Giftstagrams” commence!

Enter to win our #BringBacktheBow contest!

The Uncommon Life

#BringBacktheBow: Spread Holiday Cheer for a Chance to Win!

December 15, 2014

Finding the right gift for someone special is quite an accomplishment, even if picking out that present isn’t difficult to do. Knowing just what to get  an important person takes skill, and that perfect present is more than some thing, it’s a token of love. Sure, it sounds a little cheesy, but what better time to break out the cheese ball than the holidays? That’s why we’re a little giddy about our new social media contest: #BringBacktheBow.

Enter to win our #BringBacktheBow contest!

Why do we want to bring back the bow? The thought of friends and family exchanging all those just-the-right-gifts with each other fills us with holiday joy! But, before each gift is unwrapped, it has to spend a little time bound in paper, stuffed in a stocking, or adorned with a big ol’ bow. That wrap job is more than just a clever disguise, it’s proof that you put a little extra TLC into your present presentation to make your giftee’s opening experience extra amazing.

Celebrate the whole gift experience with us by showing off your radiant wrapping, creative and crafty packaging, and best-decorated boxes and bags for the chance to win a $50 UncommonGoods gift certificate.  Share your photo on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter with the hashtag #BringBacktheBow to enter. 

Spread even more cheer by tagging the recipient of the gift in your photo, and they’ll be entered to win a $50 gift card as well. (Just make sure that no part of the present is peeking out in your snapshot. We wouldn’t want to ruin the surprise for anyone!) 

 

 

 

Gift Guides

How To Tie a Gift Bow

December 14, 2011

You’ve finished your holiday shopping; now it’s time to wrap up all the gifts. But don’t worry! Here are a few tips to turn a basic gift box and ribbon into a present fit to be placed under any tree:

Think you’ve mastered the bow tie? Here are a few more tips to refine your technique:

1. Pick The Right Ribbon

The width of the ribbon will depend on the size of the box. On smaller boxes I would use widths ranging from .25”-.5”. For medium boxes .5”-1”, and for larger boxes 1”-1.5”.

2. Vary The Texture

Textures range from satin, grosgrain, organdy, and some even have flowers on them. It depends on the look that you are going for.

3. Don’t Be Afraid to Mess Up

There’s so much you can do with ribbon. Don’t be afraid to experiment.

If you aren’t satisfied with your bow, you can start over using the same ribbon. Just make sure to line up the ribbon but the placement when doing the ribbon over must be precise. Meaning, you have to make sure you’re tying the ribbon in the same exact spots or you will see creases in the ribbon. If you think you cut the wrong length, start with a fresh piece of ribbon. It’s not like you’ll have to throw out a crumpled sheet of wrapping paper!

Got a gift wrapping question? Just ask in the comments below.

Gift Guides

No Time To Wrap? We Offer Gift Boxing!

December 13, 2011

We know it can be hard enough to find time to shop, let alone get all of those gifts wrapped. But don’t worry! Our talented gift boxing team can get your order gift-ready and include your personalized gift message. You can add gift boxes during the checkout process online, or ask a representative to box your items when ordering by phone (1.888.365.0056) for an additional $4.95 per box.

Gift Guides

How to Make a Gift Bag

December 2, 2011

I tend to procrastinate when it comes to gift wrapping. I purchase the gifts I want to give and stuff them under the bed or on a shelf in the closet until right before Christmas. Then, while I’m fantasizing about radiantly glazed holiday hams and sweetly spiced rivers of eggnog, I’m also faced with making a pile of presents bright and giftable.

Those odd shaped, extra-uncommon gifts pose a particular challenge. I suppose I could skip the fancy wrap and just stick bows on things that don’t pack up pretty. Or, I could put any asymmetrical or otherwise un-rectangular products in big boxes stuffed with lots of tissue paper, then wrap them. I go with option three–a fancy gift bag.

While the bow trick works in a pinch, it’s not nearly as fun to take off a bow as it is to find a surprise inside of pretty wrapping. I know this, because my husband is a huge supporter of “just stick a bow on it.” I do have to admit, it’s a step up from his other, “just hand her the thing in a crumpled-up shopping bag” approach.

The second tactic–put that hard to wrap gift in another box–seems like a viable option, but wrapping a box just right takes time and creates a lot of waste; you spend 20 minutes getting each crease perfect, only to see your lovely artwork ripped to shreds and tossed in the trash. It’s heartbreaking, really.

So, you can see why, for me, option three takes the customary yuletide fruitcake.

Not only are gift bags simple to use and reusable, they’re also easy to make. All you need is some heavy wrapping, construction, or scrapbooking paper and ribbon to create a sturdy, eco-friendly alternative to traditional wrapping. I picked pretty blue craft paper from the paper mezzanine at Pearl Paint here in New York. (Yes, that’s really what their paper department is called; it’s an entire sublevel–mezzanine, if you will– full of gorgeous papers for wrapping, crafting, and scrapbooking.) I wanted my bag to be festive, but not too Christmasy, so it could still be reused after the holidays. To fasten the paper, I used a Staple-less Stapler, but you could easily use a hole punch and stapler to create a similar effect.

First, make sure you have enough paper to cover the item you’d like to wrap. To wrap the Holiday Record Coasters, I placed the product in the middle of the top half of the paper, then folded the bottom up to completely cover the gift. It’s okay to make the bag a little bit bigger than you need it, just make sure the gift doesn’t stick out of the top.

Next, “staple” along the edges on both sides. The staple-less stapler will create interlocking flaps for a secure hold, but it also leaves a small hole where you punch. You’ll also want to punch once in the bottom left-hand and once on the bottom right-hand, just above the seam.

Threading the ribbon through the holes not only adds decoration, it also increase the bag’s sturdiness and create a handle. However, before threading the ribbon, make sure you have enough by measuring it against the length of the bag four times (once for each side, once for the handle, and once for extra ribbon to work with).

Start threading by inserting the ribbon in one of the bottom corners, just above the seam. Leave a few inches of ribbon, then pull the remaining ribbon up through the next hole in the side of the bag. Tie the two ends into a knot, and create a bow with the remaining ribbon from the short end. Using the long end, continue to thread up the side of the bag, looping around the outside edge of the paper.

When you come to the end of one side, leave enough ribbon to create a handle before continuing to thread down the opposite side.

Once you reach the end of the second side, pull the remaining ribbon up through the hole on the corner above the seam. Pull the leftover ribbon back though the final loop on that side, and tie it into a secure knot. This side won’t be as pretty as the bow on the opposite side, but the problem can be easily remedied by cutting off any excess ribbon and tying a new bow to cover up the knot.

The finished product uses no tape, glue, or staples (if you go the staple-less stapler route), can be used over and over again, and costs less than buying a pre-made gift bag. For an added touch, stuff the bag with leftover wrapping paper, folded into fans (or other origami shapes, if you’re feeling extra crafty), instead of using a new sheet of tissue paper.

Gift Guides

How To Wrap A Gift Box

November 18, 2011

With the holidays coming up, I wanted to show you a few ways to make your holiday gifts stand out in the crowd. Here are two easy tricks to wrap your presents so that anyone would think they’d been wrapped by professionals!

These gift wrapping techniques can be used for any occasion. I usually try to pick wrapping paper that goes with the theme of the gift, or something that suits my recipient’s personality.

I learned my gift wrapping techniques while working at Kate’s Paperie located in Soho in 2003. This is where I actually learned that I was good at arts and crafts. Along with gift wrapping, I would perform demonstrations on scrap booking, different ways to tie a ribbon around your gift, how to create your own greeting cards & envelopes, and much more.

If you have any questions, just leave me a comment!

Put your new wrapping skills to use. Find gifts for everyone on your list.