5 Steps for the Ultimate Gift Wrapping Experience
By Patti Thomas
When it comes to wrapping Christmas gifts, there are two types of people: Those overachieving sorts that wrap gifts as they are purchased. Buy a present, wrap a present. You know the ones, they’ve no doubt even finished their gift-buying by mid-August, at the latest. And then there are those other sorts, like me, who wait until Christmas Eve to wrap everything. If you find that you fall into this latter category, and want to make sure you do so in an efficient and enjoyable manner, I’ve outlined 5 simple steps for you to follow. My kids are all grown up and gone now, but I’ve perfected the art of the last-minute wrap over the years and want to pass on what I know.
Step 1: MAKE A CHRISTMAS-Y BEVERAGE
Since it’s Christmas Eve, hot chocolate seems like the go-to choice, but, personally, I’m always going to choose coffee. Plus I probably need a little caffeine boost to get me through the next couple of hours. I may add a peppermint stick or toss in some mini-marshmallows in my coffee to be festive — actually, no, that sounds gross.
Step 2: SECURE CHRISTMAS WRAPPINGS, SCISSORS, TAPE
Don’t be frustrated if you realize that, because of your tardiness with wrapping, all of the “good” paper has already been used. It will only be shredded to bits the next day anyway, so don’t sweat it. Get more tape than you think you’ll need because you’re using the cheap paper that rips like crazy. Don’t forget a pen! You need to write on the gift tags and you don’t want to have to pause or miss part of the movie (see step 5) and unlock the door (see step 3) to go out and get one. I’m only saying this because I do it every year. Every. Year.
Step 3: LOCK THE DOOR
(Note: You’ll need a room with a TV. You’re going to be at this a while and you’ll need entertainment.) I can think of fewer fates worse than having your kids actually walk in on this gift-wrapping session. If locking the door seems too harsh, then threaten them with no “tablet time” for a year if they open the door while you’re in there. That should do it.
Step 4: MAKE PILES
As any good, guilt-laden parent knows, you have to make piles. I have three kids, so I'd have three piles. The bundles need to be of similar size and shape. It doesn't matter if something in one pile cost a million dollars; if it is small and results in fewer countable items, it “isn’t fair.” Hopefully, you’ll have figured this out already. Otherwise, a quick trip to Walgreen's is needed to find something – anything — to fill the void. Kids don't count dollar amounts for gifts. They count the gifts. Heed my words carefully.
Step 5: CHOOSE THE PERFECT CHRISTMAS MOVIE
This step may look a little different now as compared to when my kids were little. That was a prehistoric time before the creation of Netflix. I was at the mercy of what was on TV at that particular time. I always hoped that I could catch “White Christmas” as that is my all-time favorite. I could recite every line and sing every song from that movie! I might even be able to dance along to all the musical numbers, but there was no time for that, there were gifts to wrap!
Note: Do not, I repeat, do not become alarmed if you do not find a Christmas movie. It is rare, but there was one year that I did not find a single Christmas movie on. What did I watch? “I Know What You Did Last Summer.” Yes, the cheesy slasher movie. And you know what, I didn’t hate it! It wasn’t my first choice, but it was on, and I watched every gory minute while I wrapped my gifts that year. And now I think of it as one of my favorite holiday movies. Weird how that works.
When the movie is done, the coffee is gone and the gifts are all wrapped, breathe a sigh of relief and relax! Job well done! Maybe next year you’ll get things done earlier!
Or maybe not.
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