by Dee Cain

Created on: January 16, 2011

After spending hours, days, weeks and even months collecting the treasures to be placed under the tree, there comes the tasks of wrapping the gifts. Sometimes it feels like it takes longer to wrap them than it did to find and purchase them. If only a person could wrinkle their noses and the task could be done. This won't happen but it is a nice thought. 

Not everyone is proficient at wrapping gifts. It can be very frustrating to someone who doesn't have the patience to sit for the length of time it takes to wrap gifts. Others just plain hate the thought of wrapping presents. So how does a person get past this stage in the holiday season?

Professional Gift Wrappers

If you hate wrapping presents, you may choose to hire someone to do it for you. A professional gift wrapper doesn't really have to be a person with their own business. Check with friends and relatives who seem to enjoy that sort of activity. Perhaps there is someone who would be willing to wrap the gifts to make a little extra money. 

There are organizations which offer gift wrapping as a way to raise money for charity during the holiday season. They charge a range of fees depending on the size of the present and the number of presents to be wrapped. For persons on a tight schedule, this may be the way to conquer that dreaded task and help others at the same time.

Delegate

Enlist the older members of the family to help with the wrapping. Make it a family affair. The teens and 'tweens' can be a great help plus this would be a great togetherness time for parents and their older children.

Enlist Friends

Have a gift wrapping party. Gather all the wrapping paper, tape, bows and gift tags you will need then invite some friends over. This is a perfect time for hot chocolate and cookies while you wrap.Turn on the Christmas tunes also. Friends can bring the gifts they need wrapped also and the time will seem to pass by faster when sharing the task. It's a wonderful way for friends to spend time during the holiday rush, spend time together and eliminate the frustration of having to wrap all the gifts yourself.

Gift Bags

Gift bags are becoming more popular as people find themselves pressed for time. The bags come in a variety of sizes and designs. Add tissue paper and a bow to the bag to complete the wrapping. These bags can be folded to use again so they have a "green appeal" for those who are into recycling. Buying plain colored bags give the person receiving the gift a chance to use the bag again.

Don't Procrastinate

Procrastination is probably the biggest cause of that gift wrapping drudgery feeling. The task can seem overwhelming as you look at all the presents that need wrapped all at once. The longer it is put off the worse you'll dread trying to tackle the wrapping. The answer is to wrap the gifts as soon as possible after bringing them home. You know the wrapping needs done, so why not get it out of the way? 

Positive Attitude

Try to eliminate that thought of drudgery when it comes time to wrap the Christmas gifts. Don't expect the gifts to look professionally wrapped. Give yourself a break. You've spent your time picking out that special gift so think of the joy it will bring to the person receiving it. Get creative with the wrapping. Every gift doesn't have to be square with ribbon. Have fun with wrapping by making the person have to guess what is in the present. Odd shaped packages may be a challenge to wrap but they may make the person receiving them crazy trying to figure out what is in them.

There are many ways to take the drudgery out of wrapping Christmas presents. Plan ahead for next Christmas and see what kind of solutions you can come up with.

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