End of the Checklist: Wrap

If you're like me, right now the last thing you have time for is blogging. Looks like I'm ignoring some stuff on my to-do list, huh? I won't tell if you don't, haha. Anyway, this is what I've been having fun with for the past few days, so I thought I'd share my favorite part of Christmas... wrapping the presents.

I know it sounds a little pointless, but wrapping is my favorite thing to do. Even though it's ripped to shreds in ten minutes, a beautifully wrapped present makes my heart leap. Every year I come up with a theme, I buy supplies in advance, every gift is finished the same way. A few years ago I did brown kraft paper with glittered branches tied down with twine and the name of the recipient penned in black Sharpie. That was a good year. Last year I did red paper with big gold bows. This year... well, take a look:



I bought a pack of wrapping paper from Ikea for something like 97 cents last winter and kept it for this year. I liked that I had five different patterns that all coordinated with each other. The paper is thin as napkins, basically see-through... but come on, it was less than a dollar. I say that's okay.



I saw a picture in an old Elle Decor this summer that caught my eye. I'm pretty sure it was some ad for Japanese finishings for pillows or whatever, but what stuck out to me were these big fluffy pom-poms, paired with the modern Japanese aesthetic they looked so cool and sophisticated. I figured my simply Swedish paper would be a good pairing for these. And for tags? I printed out large block initials to adhere right to the box... take a look at some how-to's for both...



First, I laid out 4"x4" letters in Illustrator and printed off the outlines. I used the typeface Vintage, one I somehow found on mmolai and can't seem to find again. I like how it's got the interesting serifs - playful but not childish. Then, I cut out the letters and used a red Prismacolor to line the edges.



I wrote the whole name smaller inside the letter and used double stick tape to adhere them to a corner of the package. Now for the poms (p.s. if you're wondering, the half-peeled nail polish I'm wearing is Essie Cantaloupe. I love it.)



1) First things first, you're going to need to cut out some donut-shaped forms from cardboard/cardstock. You need two on top of each other, and it's good to cut an angled notch to feed the yarn through easily in the next step.




2) Start winding the yarn around both of the forms, feeding it through the notch and around the entire circle. Keep going until the yarn is pretty thick. You don't want a wimpy pom-pom, oh no.



3) Take some scissors and wedge them in between the two pieces of cardboard - start cutting. I like to put my thumb in the center of the doughnut to keep the yarn from slipping out once it's cut. Cut all around the circle.




4) Cut a length of yarn, about 10", and pull it through between the pieces of cardboard. Tie a knot, pull your thumb out of the center carefully, and pull tight. I like to tie two knots after that just to be safe.



5) Slide off the cardboard on either side of the knot and shake your cutie little pom-pom out. It might need a few hairs trimmed, but it's fluffy and adorable. Ready to wrap up some presents!



For these I used the cheapest red yarn in the world: Red Heart Super Saver. It's about $2.70 for 364 yards, more yarn than you could ever need. We've wrapped up at least 20 boxes with yarn and poms and I'm not even close to being out of yarn. Compare that to the price you pay for assorted ribbons and shiny bows and the choice is clear. Just don't use the leftovers to make a scarf or you'll be itchy and grumpy. It's for crafts only, please!

Take a look at how cute our Scandinavian Christmas looks under the tree:



Merry Christmas and happy wrapping! (And if you're wondering, yes, this does take lots of time and love. If you're swamped, go for the bag and tissue paper, it's okay.) By the way... this is why I love my husband, he loves my ideas and tries to get on board, haha!