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5 Deadly Sins of Gift Wrapping

5 deadly sins of gift wrapping

Trust me on this, you really don’t want to make the mistake of doing any of these. There is a special corner in the afterlife where you will be sent if you commit any of these 5 deadly sins of gift wrapping. A corner where they wrap you in cheap, easy to tear wrapping paper and then bind you in rolls and rolls of sticky tape…. It’s called Hell-otape and is easily avoided if you can steer clear of these mistakes. In this post I’ll show you how to avoid the pitfalls without having to be a gift wrapping expert, without spending a fortune on wrapping accessories or spending hours mastering origami style wrapping techniques.

Deadly Sin #1 – Just shove it in a gift bag

I know, I know, you’re a busy person and you just don’t have time to put the extra frills, ribbons and bows on a present. So stick in a gift bag and it’ll look okay. Right? Wrong!

Simply shoving your gift in a gift bag will make it look like you didn’t have time, didn’t plan ahead and left it to the last minute. Which you did, right? But you don’t want them to think that do you?

So what’s the answer when you have left it to the last minute and you don’t feel like a gift wrapping guru and you really just want to shove it in a bag?

Well the answer is simple really and yes, actually, you’re still going to shove it in a gift bag…BUT…you’re going to shove some tissue in the bag first!

gift bag subscription box

Now that wasn’t difficult was it?!

One sheet, or even half a sheet of tissue, placed in the bag so it’s sticking out of the top, gift inside tissue and there you go. Now it looks like you tried and actually it didn’t take that long did it? My tip is to fold the tissue in half, lightly scrunch the bottom, middle bit and place that carefully at the bottom of the bag. Then you can find the opening in the tissue and spread it out before putting the gift in the centre of the gap in the tissue.

Deadly Sin #2 – Sticky tape

You might have a really fancy tape dispenser that’s fun to use but please…don’t use one sided sticky tape. At least not on the outside of your gift! You are allowed to use double sided tape and if that’s too fiddly for you then you can buy repositionable double sided tape ready to roll. We could buy shares in these double sided tape rollers as my daughter uses it for making cards. It’s not the cheapest way to stick things together but it is really easy to use and will save you a lot of time.

Other options if you don’t like the double sided tape is use gift wrapping seals. A bit like conventional sticky tape but in neat circles of stickiness. A word of caution though, if your paper is too thick or textured then these might not stick well.

Later I’ll show you a video of how to wrap your present with double sided tape.

Deadly Sin #3 – Rough edges

There is no reason why the edge of your paper shouldn’t be straight if you have to cut it. Here are some simple tips:

  • Use a decent pair of scissors (and don’t let the children use them for cutting up cardboard boxes – sorry, just personal experience!)
  • Fold the paper where you need to cut it, then cut along the line.
  • If that’s really hard then use wrapping paper with a cutting grid on the back. E.g. ALL of Flamingo Paperie gift wrap comes with a cutting grid on the reverse.
  • Fold the cut edge over so that the ‘edge’ is a straight fold instead of the cut line. This is especially relevant if the edge of the paper is already rough or squint.

Deadly Sin #4 – Having the edge of the paper in the middle of the gift

This is a really simple tip that makes your present wrapping look so much more professional. When you wrap the paper around the gift, make sure the paper edge that sits on the top of the paper as you wrap it round is at the corner edge of your gift, not right in the middle of the gift.

I probably haven’t explained that very well so in the video link at the end I’ve given you a clip that shows you how to do this (as well as how to use double sided tape to hold it all together).

Deadly Sin #5 – Cheap thin wrapping paper – it’s a rip off!

You know the stuff. As soon as you wrap it round a corner, it’s got a big rip in it. By the time you give the gift the paper is so creased and the pattern has worn away at every crease that it looks like you’ve used the paper before. What’s worse is that most really cheap wrapping paper is so thin it’s not even recyclable. Why bother? It’s not good for the environment and looks rubbish!

Ice Lolly gift wrap

Always use a decent thickness of wrapping paper. You can get affordable gift wrap that is good quality, ethically sourced from sustainable forests and can be recycled.

If you want to know more about which gift wrap can be recycled then you might like a previous blog post – Is gift wrapping paper recyclable?

If you do like to use ribbons and bows then there are eco-friendly options there too, paper rope, jute twine and recycled or recyclable gift tags too.

Video tutorial – how to avoid the deadly sins of gift wrapping

All the tips I’ve described can be used for any shaped gift. Shiho Masuda is known as the Paper Guru and has lots of useful video tutorials to help you take your gift wrapping to the next level. The video below shows you how to wrap just about any shape. You’ll see how she uses double sided tape (See Deadly Sin #2), folds the paper at the cut end (See Deadly Sin #3) and gets the edges of the paper to line up with the edge of the gift (See Deadly Sin #4).

Follow these simple tips and the gift wrapping gods will smile favourably upon your creations, you will make your recipients smile and you will look like a gift wrapping genius!

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Is gift wrapping paper recyclable?

is gift wrapping recyclable

You’ve watched Blue Planet, you love turtles and you want to do your bit to be eco friendly. But you are a bit confused by mixed messages about whether you should be using gift wrap, brown paper, newspaper or even wrapping presents at all. Whether it’s for Christmas, a birthday or for any occasion you can gift wrap in style without costing the earth. I’ve put this little post together to help you answer the question; Is gift wrapping paper recyclable?

A really quick test is the Scrunch Test but it’s not quite as simple as that.

So which gift wrapping is recyclable?

Supermarket ‘cheap as chips’ wrapping paper

Probably not recyclable. Even if it doesn’t contain any glitter, foil or added extras, the thin wrapping paper that is often found at the checkout is unlikely to be accepted by paper mills for recycling as it contains few good quality fibres for recycling.

Gift wrap with foil or glitter effects

The paper might be recyclable but the glitter and foil effects make it difficult and too expensive (if it is even possible) to recycle. At least the paper will biodegrade if put in general household waste but the foil and glitter additives might not.

Recycled wrapping paper

Yes, most probably recyclable, providing no glitter, foil etc is added. You can get recycled wrapping paper. However, there is a debate as to whether it is better to produce recycled paper or use virgin pulp from FSC certified sources as the recycling process itself is expensive and energy consuming. Another alternative could be using paper from easily replenishable sources such as bamboo that grows quickly.

stamped brown kraft wrapping paperBrown paper

This shouldn’t be recycled but should go in the compostable bin along with brown cardboard but that’s ok. Good environmental option! Not so good if you want a pretty design as you’ll have to do one yourself and make sure any design you apply is also compostable! Check out my Pinterest board for some ideas. Use vegetable based inks to stamp the paper and add natural embellishments like twigs, flowers and berries that can also be composted.

Or you can buy coloured kraft wrap that is 100% recyclable.

Printed, quality wrapping paper

Yes, this wrapping paper is recyclable. One thing you might like to check is what inks are used in the print. Some companies use eco friendly vegetable based inks that do not harm the environment. Also check if the paper used is from FSC sources.

All of the gift wrap in my Flamingo shop is 100% recyclable, uses vegetable based inks and is from FSC sources.

We can confirm that all Flamingo Paperie gift wrap is recyclable. It is printed on Amber Graphic Material which is ECF (Elemental Chlorine Free). This is a technique which uses chlorine dioxide for the bleaching of wood pulp and does not use elemental chlorine gas during the bleaching process, so preventing the formation of dioxins, dioxin-like compounds and carcinogens. We also use vegetable inks with water rather than the alcohol damping process. Individual local authorities have their own rules on what they will and will not recycle, but we can confirm that our paper is fully recyclable. (statement from Flamingo HQ)

If you are a designer looking to print your own gift wrap then there are UK print companies that have a very high standard of eco friendly printing like Ashley House.

General tips on making gift wrapping paper recyclable

Before recycling or composting your gift wrap make sure you remove all sellotape, tags, ribbons, bows etc. Gift tags might be recyclable/compostable but the ribbon that they are attached often isn’t so make sure you remove it first. If in doubt, ask the company, they will know. Many gift wrap companies have an environmental policy like Flamingo Paperie. In fact all their gift tags, including the jute string, are 100% recyclable. Use washi tapeĀ  or patterned kraft tape for a recyclable tape option.

Presents and balloons paper tape

For further information see Recycle Now

Also wondering what Christmas cards to buy? You might be interested to know that all our Christmas cards are charity cards as well as being environmentally friendly.

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Easter cards

easter cards

Easter isn’t very far away so I’ve picked out a couple of Easter cards, gift wrap and gift ideas below. If you’re a busy person struggling to find time to order cards then how about an Easter/Spring bundle?

Easter Cards

Butterfly Tree, illustrated by Kim Anderson

I love this card, it’s glittery and just so pretty. Butterflies can symbolise hope, life, transformation…all things that our mothers give to us. Lots to be grateful for.

Easter Wishes, illustrated byJennifer Bartlett
Easter Wishes

Possibly the sweetest card you could send this Easter to a loved one or someone special. I think this would be the perfect card from a grandparent to a grandchild.

Easter Wrap and Gifts

Whichever card you choose, you’ll be sending an exclusively designed one that will make someone say, ‘wow, thank you that’s beautiful’. If you need gift wrap to go with it then there are some gorgeous Florals ones from Flamingo or the Flowers and Stars, that also has matching gift tags. (All Flamingo gift wrap and tags are 100% recyclable)

colour in garden

If you’re looking for gift ideas then you might like the colouring in garden poster. This would be a great gift or holiday activity for all ages. Some of the illustrations are detailed enough for the expert ‘colour in er’ while they will still look good after some embelishment from little hands too.

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Flamingo Paperie

Flamingo Paperie has now closed down but it’s fabulous range of cards, gift wrap, charity Christmas cards, traditional advent calendars and stationery were well known for their beautiful illustrations and great quality.

I was an Independent Executive Flamingo Partner. I still have much of the fabulous Flamingo range of cards, gift wrap and stationery and I also stock other non Flamingo items such as colour in tablecloths and other gift wrap on this website.

Be the first to know

If you want to receive exclusive special offers, sneak previews and information about new releases as they happen and/or the latest Flamingo brochure then click here.

If you really love Flamingo Paperie then you need to also join my Flamingo Customer Club and you’ll get a free gift with your first order in my Flamingo Shop.

What’s New?

Flamingo Paperie Christmas Cards 2018

The new Flamingo Paperie range is out now. We have an exciting Christmas range for 2022 including our traditional advent calendars and our well-known advent calendar cards.

New products come out about 5 times a year. If you’d like to be up to date with the latest just ask.

Click here to see the Christmas 2022 range.

You can still get hold of a few Phoenix Trading products. Just ask me if there is something from the old range you want to get hold of. I may well have it in stock and if not I’ll do my best to find it!

If you have questions about becoming a Flamingo Partner then perhaps my FAQs will help. Get in touch and we can work out what’s best for you.

Sign up now to my Customer Club if you would like me to send you special offers, sneak previews. You can also be involved in the design of new products and more.

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The Gift Bag

I’ve seen lots of different ways to make a gift bag but this is the most simple but effective one I’ve found.Christmas gift bag wrapping craft

Making it also holds the basis for wrapping a standard gift parcel and making it look just that little bit neater than usual.

Gift Bag Guide

  1. Lay out your gift wrap and box
  2. Fold over the leading edge by 1cm
  3. Fold the leading edge to align with the far corner of the box
  4. Crease the fold along the near corner edge
  5. Fold in the second side and crease
  6. Apply double sided tape to the leading edge and seal
  7. Fold down top edge and fold in the sides
  8. Turn in the bottom edge to match the diagonal folds
  9. Apply double sided tape and seal up
  10. Press all edges along the box, to give firm creases
  11. Gently remove the box
  12. Carefully pinch the edges to form the sides of the bag
  13. Fold over the top by 3cm and then fold again
  14. Place the ribbon around the bag, keeping the ribbon straight
  15. Tie a bow at the top, and rearrange the bow to the front

 

It does make a big difference if you use quality wrapping paper, please don’t buy the cheap stuff as it will just rip!

If you’d like to know more about wrapping ideas do get in touch. I do gift wrapping workshops all year round.

Download this gift bag guide now.

You might like these 5 steps to gift wrapping.

Follow my Youtube channel for more gift wrapping ideas.