Gifts galore

Gifts galore

“Let the season of giving be yours and not that of your inheritors.”
~Khalil Gibran

Gifts are fail-safe ways of conveying affection and invoking happiness in both givers and receivers. It is the transfer of something without the expectation of receiving something in return. Although gift-giving might involve an expectation of reciprocity, a gift is meant to be free.

Gift wrapping is a work of art and done well, it is meant to provide visual stimuli to the opener. There are various ways of wrapping gifts, this week we discuss a few:

Gift boxes and paper wrapping
In Bangladesh, cane baskets, jute bags or clay pots are often used as gift boxes, especially for sweets. Paper bags and cardboard boxes are also used widely, with the latter more often for gifts that are fragile or breakable. Different types of wrapping paper can be used to add exclusivity. Art paper, kraft paper and foil paper are a few categories that are available in Dhaka. Solid and pastel colours can be used to uphold a classic charm, while polka dots, stripes and psychedelic designs are for the trendier at heart.

Ribbons of light
Ribbons can be fancy and feminine accessories on gift packages. They are available in satin, lace, stripes, dots, prints, solid colours and pastel colours, leaving users spoiled for choice. Wire ribbons work best in terms of maintaining form because they stay in place without the need for tape. Ribbons can also be used for home decor to decorate window pelmets, stair railings and door cornices.

Flowers and stickers
These work as adornments to the main packaging of a gift. Dry or fresh flowers and ferns display an extra element of care taken when wrapping a gift while stickers are a great way to attract children.

Cards
They say so little and yet they convey so much. Cards can be used for all types of occasions such as birthdays, wedding anniversaries, celebrations of achievements and so on. They can also be used to indicate seating arrangements at formal dinner parties. This Christmas, adding name cards to your dinner table will go that extra mile in personalising the meal and displaying your hosting skills.

When wrapping gifts, whatever the occasion they are intended for, it is always advisable to think outside the box. Besides conventional wrapping paper, everyday items like exercise book paper, newspaper, butter paper, old paper bags and brown string can also be used to enhance creativity. Layer different materials of embossing, creasing foil stamping paper together and finish off with ribbons in complementary colours. Or conversely, stick to classic, simple themes such as maintaining the same, solid colour scheme for all your gifts.

NAZNEEN HAQUE MIMI
Interior Consultant
JOURNEYMAN
E-mail: journeyman.interiors@gmail.com
Photo Credit: TamimSujat
Special thanks: Premium Sweets by Central