Anticipation claims a good fifty percent of the enjoyment of receiving a gift. Peeling away a colourful sheath to reveal hidden treasure will capture even the most seasoned adult’s attention. Watch children at Christmastime tear open long-awaited santa deliveries, immersed in the thrill of expectation.
Despite the profusion of sophisticated giftwrap and the related trimmings available, I find brown paper parcels particularly appealing. Maybe this links back to a time before postpacks, when parcels were sent in the mail securely wrapped for the journey in their crisp brown coatings and neutral twine lacing. Ours usually arrived addressed in the unmistakable curled handwriting of my grandmother, and I knew to expect some new ‘woollens’, a newsy letter and a lovely soft toy upon opening.
Moving into 2012, plain paper and string strikes a sustainability chord. No inks or bleach and fresh flowers that will eventually be returned to the earth, sits well with me.
If you arm yourself with a few rolls brown paper and a large ball of twine, this will serve as your gift wrapping kit, to cover all ages, occasions and gender. Look to your garden for the finishing touches – herbs, flowers, autumn leaves and pods – to personalise your package that will be eagerly anticipated.
Postscript: if you ‘garnish’ your gifts in other ways – do tell!
Plain and Simple 
This morning, I’ve just wrapped a gift with brown paper, with baker’s twine too! I added a hand-made flower and a hand-made tag. All my Christmas presents will be wrapped in brown papers too this year — it’s more versatile and you can be as creative as you want with this neutral colour. Next time I’ll make sure I take a photograph.
And, you use REAL flowers? I’ve never done that before — what a great idea. Lovely gift.
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Snap! Great minds think alike! I love the term ‘baker’s twine’ far better than string, as it conjures up images of boxed cakes. Photos serve as great records of your work, to be used as reminders or for inspiration – so don’t forget to do this. Real flowers are great, but obviously need to be gathered on the day the gift is given. Sounds like some people you know will be in for a treat this year.
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Good post, and that’s really pretty! I like simple, old fashion wrapping, too. Plus, the recipient can get a posey bouquet with it. When I have done gifts like this days in advance, I like to use my straw flowers, sea lavendar, statice.
Thanks,
Leanne at Hanbury House
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Thanks Leanne, those additional plant suggestions make good sense as fresh flowers do have time limits!
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