All I Want For Xmas....is a perfectly wrapped pressie

What's a great present without great packaging?

In fact, a rather mundane present becomes a great present with the right packaging.

So ladies, arm yourselves with some fabulous wrapping paper and bright proper satin ribbon...trust me, the gratitude will be amplified tenfold!

Even if its just a humble box of cookies for your building's caretaker, wrap it up nice and pretty.

A well wrapped gift implies a lot of time and effort.

If you can, find a great colour/print of wrapping paper you love and wrap all the presents you put under the tree in the same paper. Last year I found some fabulous black and gold damask paper for a steal at Old Navy and they all got a big pink bow. Very undeniably from me!

And in these credit crunch times, most stores are happy to do all the hard work for you if you don't have the necessary Blue Peter skills to wrap your gifts up in fabulosity.

Here are some of my favourite ideas for great packaging.



Ikea magazine boxes work like magic and are soooo cheap AND I can almost guarantee the recipient will find another use for the box. And if not, take it back (after they've opened the gift and stack your magazines up in them).


See? That Ikea magic comes in so many different colours. They come flat packed, all you have to do is pop 'em into shape and tie a big bow.



An unusual colour combo like this deep sexy chocolate brown with the big red bow just looks expensive doesn't it?


Coco Ribbon's signature packaging is instantly identifiable and never fails to put a big smile on the recipient's face.


Ikea have these fabulous, fabulous fabric covered storage boxes that are just magic for gifts. I have so many dotted around in different colours and sizes, magazines, computer cables, bangles (yes I have that many!). So especially if you use them for family members, discreetly swipe the box back after they've opened the gift!



Ikea again, what's not to love about the bargaintastic selection?


Or go for a very Christmassy red box with a simple satin or chiffon ribbon bow in white.




And finally onto the ribbon. You can get the best ribbon in my opinion at John Lewis in he UK or MJ Trim in America. Just pick out your signature colour/print for this Xmas and away you go. Double sided satin is the easiest to use as its glossy so looks all slick and expensive and easy enough for a 5 year old to tie.


Grosgrain ribbon looks very fancy but is a lot harder to tie nmeatly. Just make sure you start your battle armed with double sided tape and you'll eb fine.


You can see I really enjoy wrapping pressies can't you!