Christmas – it’s a wrap!
One might surmise that I have failed as a parent when shown evidence of my sons’ apparent inability to wrap gifts. What I see, however, is an extension of my artistic side and creativity. Is this because I know my mother is turning over in her grave because we can’t save the paper that they use for their presents?
I do wonder, though, if there is cause for concern. What will their future significant others think? Will they find the wrapping skill masterful or seriously lacking? If the latter, I hold my husband accountable. It’s only natural. After all, he had more occasions to teach them how to wrap gifts with my birthday and Mother’s Day over the last 15 or so years.
And, now, the evidence. I’ll let you decide. Is there creativity at large, or am I getting AA Hubby in trouble again?
Exhibit A – A Square Box
My oldest son just graduated from college with a BFA and used artist’s tape to secure the gift wrap. No ribbon needed. In the box was a round ornament from East Carolina University. (I wonder what the wrapping would have looked like without the square box.) Er, yes, you read that right. This gift was wrapped by a college graduate.
Still adjusting to our limited apartment space (and because I put half of our Christmas ornaments in the moving sale before we left Connecticut), we didn’t have a tree this year. Well, not a big tree. Instead, we only had a mini tree – one of two that belongs to the boys.
Exhibit B – A Rectangular Box
I like to think that my youngest son wanted to keep me guessing about the gift; one would never believe that this present was, in fact, a Scrabble game.
Exhibit C – A Christmas Gift Wrapped in Birthday Paper
Unfortunately, AA Hubby could not find the two rolls of Christmas paper that were alongside the one roll of birthday paper. See me smiling in this photo? I am actually doing my maniacal laugh, in utter disbelief but remaining the ever Big Happy Nothing. The gift? A standing lamp. Sadly, it must be returned. But AA Hubby tried.
Now, speaking of AA Hubby trying, while he didn’t succeed at getting me a non-returnable gift with the standing lamp, he did take me by complete surprise with another gift that isn’t going anywhere! It’s staying right here. Naturally, there is more to this story, but I think I’ll save it for another post. The story’s a real gem.
And, with this last photo, I hope that everyone had a wonderful holiday with gifts beautifully wrapped, creatively wrapped, amusingly wrapped, or, maybe, my favorite, not wrapped at all – the gift of time spent with family and friends. With or without Christmas trees – big or mini – or even fireplaces. (Okay, the wrapping isn’t AA Hubby’s fault – we just do everything a little differently here!)
Hi,
I have to say well done.
I love exhibit A, there was a lot of thought that went into that one. Who would of thought you could wrap a box to make it look like a giant lolly.
There is a lot of fun in imagining what a gift might be from the wrapping!
I wrap all birthday gifts throughout the year in Christmas paper. On purpose. Then the recipient accuses me of being cheap( I am) I demand they return the gift or shut up.
I like your approach, Carl! It’s a creative way of saving money on gift spending, and you still get points for at least remembering someone’s special day.
Wrapping Christmas presents and folding clothes are two things that require a special talent (and patience) that I do not possess. Glad you had a nice holiday!
When I think about it, Thomas, both actually seem like tasks where time could be better spent doing something else anyway. I only fold clothes neatly because I hate to iron. I hope you had a wonderful holiday!
I think the fact that the men in your life wrapped the presents on their own is all that matters. Any future significant others will be grateful the attempt is made- regardless of the condition of the finished product. I assure you. (smile)
Merry Christmas, AA!
An excellent point, Lenore Diane. There are some women who don’t even get gifts, let alone have them wrapped.
I’m with you, Lenore. I’ve had more than a few times when my older brothers actually handed me the gift…unwrapped….and still in the original store’s bag…! ha!
Ah, yes – my youngest just did that with a birthday gift for his brother!
Mr. EOS and I only exchange stocking stuffer gifts as LONG AGO the writing was on the wall that picking out gifts I was going to like was not in his bag of tricks. Rather, he loves to help me choose things for the kids. Wrapping is not his strong suit either, but he makes a fine assistant handing me the tape and ribbon.
Our children opt to put gifts in Christmas bags. No wrapping necessary. Stuff some tissue paper over the gift, and voila, done!
With a daughter whose birthday is Christmas Day, it’s a cardinal sin in our house to wrap her birthday presents in Christmas wrap. We do our best to make each celebration separate and distinct. No easy task.
Anyway, as you said so well, it’s all about family and friends. Wishing you and yours a Big Happy 2012 Something.
I’ll check back often for the post about the necklace. I love stories. AA Hubby, way to go!! Can Mr. EOS take lessons?
I was shocked and touched that my older son actually purchased the wrapping paper for his gifts – the sight of him walking in the house bearing wrapped gifts was a gift in itself. I think had he thought I might actually have had gift bags left from the move (I also sold all of those at the moving sale!), he wouldn’t have prepared so well. His birthday is 12/15, so I know well the effort to make the two celebrations distinct. But there was always one kid at his birthday parties that arrived with a gift wrapped in Christmas paper. I sound like such a snoot about paper and wrap and all that – but, trust me, it’s the least of my worries around the holidays!
I love you guys … terrific fun reading this post!!!
Gee, thanks, Betty! Our life is terrific fun, despite our gift wrapping challenges.
I too am a poor wrapper. People just don’t respect the ability to add corners!
No, no, no – you are a CREATIVE wrapper, Oma!
Beautiful post, as always, and as you know — I awarded you the Kreativ Blog award!
http://wp.me/p1jBAi-yc
Thank you, again! I really shouldn’t try to read blogs without adequate caffeine intake!
Those pictures made me giggle. It’s always nice to be genuinely surprised when you open up a gift. My kids wrapped up some of their little drawings they did for me and it was hilarious to see how much tape they used!
How ADORABLE that your children wrapped up drawings for you! That is so precious. And, yep, I love surprises and not being able to guess what’s inside a gift. Thanks so much for visiting and commenting!
I say A for effort!
I agree!
It’s creative. I think he is putting our outdated normal wrappings to shame.
The necklace is beautiful! Glad you had a nice (and funny!) Christmas.
I admire the creativity and I don’t question the motor skills (no matter the age). The youngest failed cutting with scissors as a 1st grader. I should say I also admire his resourcefulness given the lack of skill.
I hope you had a wonderful Christmas – and I loved your photos of the year in review that you’ve shared so far. You are such a talented photographer!
HI AA
I give your kids an A for trying.
Your post reminds me of the time I worked at a fancy kitchen store. First day there I had to gift -wrap a purchase. There was a tiny table in the back for packing parcels and no instructions given – I guess they thought we were all experts… hah hah! When I presented it to the customer, all she said was “OH!” and I’ll never forget that “Oh!” heh heh
Thanks for the high marks, Rosie! I’ve been in your shoes, behind the counter trying to make a purchase look pretty with gift wrap. I remember being on the other side, as a customer, and marveling at a young man’s ability to wrap a gift for me to perfection. He thought I was out of my mind when I couldn’t contain my excitement about his talent. He took a minute to teach me how to trim the paper ends so they are EXACTLY the same length on each side and meet squarely in the middle for the tape. I haven’t been able to repeat it – ever! LOL
I think for most men, the goal is to conceal the gift, not make it look nice. If you can’t see what’s inside, that’s good enough.
There’s an East Carolina? When did that happen?
It all makes perfect sense to me now, Charles. Thank you for that insight.
Yes, there’s an East Carolina. There were pirates involved. Can’t mess with pirates!
Glad Big Guy got you something you liked (I can’t wrap either – I get the kids to do it for me!).
Wendy
Wendy, I’m impressed that your kids can wrap, and intrigued that you can’t. This must mean Dad played a hand in teaching them. I can’t get my head around this.