There aren't a lot of years I just buy wrapping paper and ribbon at the store and call it a day with my presents, but this year that's exactly what I did. I'm such a loser slouch.
I should loser slouch my way through the rest of my life because I happen to love this year's presents. Loser slouch is the only way to go! From here on in I'm going to loser slouch every aspect of my life. The next time you hear from me I'll have a tv dinner in my stomach and velcro closure shoes on my feet.
THE CHRISTMAS WRAPPING THEME
I wanted to have traditional colours but not super-bright versions of them. Gold, green and red. I really wanted a sort of golden moss green, 2" wide satin ribbon with intermittent flecks of copper in it and no wire, but that's surprisingly hard to find.
So I went with Moss green, a dark almost burgundy (which until today I thought was spelled burgandy) red and gold.
I really, really didn't want wired ribbon. I just wanted plain satin ribbon that falls and shines nicely, which is what I got for the green ribbons.
With unwired, satin ribbon you get nice flop so things don't look overly fussy or perfect.
(p.s. Please ignore my bad, grainy photos. I got a new camera! And I'm just figuring it out. Actually I haven't figured it out at all, lol, but I didn't have time to redo some of my less than perfect photos. It's a great camera, I swear. These were my first shots with it before knowing where all of the adjustment dials were, lol. Sometimes you just have to dive in knowing you're going to make mistakes.)
I don't care anyway now that I'm a loser slouch.
I also moved my presents out from under the tree this year because they end up covered in pine needles and it makes watering the tree harder than it already is. A couple of vintage suitcases makes a better backdrop for them anyway if you ask me.
For the red ribbon I did go with a wired ribbon because I wanted velvet but I still wanted to be able to form it to look a bit sloppy. You can't do that with regular velvet ribbon.
All the bows are plain, no double or triple bows and some presents don't even have bows at all. Just a knot tied at the top of the present.
I got bored with just the plain suitcases and presents so I added some garland. Then I added lights to the garland. Then I added massive pinecones to the lights and the garland.
By the way I used the C cell battery operated copper wire lights I got a few years ago and they're still going strong and I STILL love them. If you want or need wire lights these are the ones to get. They have plenty of wire and lights, the wire is copper not silver, but best of all is the C cell battery pack. NOT double A batteries, which means they last way longer before the batteries need to be changed. Plus they have a self timer and go off automatically after 4 hours. Honestly, they're one of my favourite things ever.
If you think yeah those are nice, but where's the WOW? You can take a look at these, these and these wrapping ideas from years past.
You know, from before I was a loser slouch.
How did you wrap this year?
Eileen
The Sunday comic pages and brown paper grocery bags with ribbon recycled from gifts received from people willing to spend on such frivolity, or if there's none then garden twine. After reading some stats about the amount of trash caused by, and what gets spent on stuff that gets ripped off and chucked I had to stop.
Yeah, me bah-humbugging on my soapbox (recyclable!).
Stephanie
I've done both newspapers (comic section) and brown craft paper or paper bags. Tied up with twine and natural elements like pine trimmings or cones. They look lovely and can be recycled. We recycle gift paper here so I do use it. I'm not a big ribbon fan. . . but do use it. I keep the scraps and reuse it for many different things. Sometimes natural is just best, prettier, and environmentally friendly!
Lise Cameron
Karen ...Your gifts are amazing.....Your new floor really stands out....Could you please tell me where you bought your floor grate or did it come with your home....Look forward to your posts and they make for interesting reading...Merry Christmas...
Karen
That floor grate is something I found at a garage sale years ago. They gave it to me. I never knew what I was going to do with it, but when I redid my floors I had to replace my grate, so I decided to cut the hole a bit larger than it was and use this one. The only caveat is it's wood and very old so you can't actually stand on it or it will crack. ~ karen!
Ella
I do my wrapping on Christmas Eve while sipping wine, eating shrimp cocktail and watching It’s a Wonderful life. Where did you get that gorgeous red ribbon? My theme is silver and gold this year and I am still desperately searching for gold velvet 2” ribbon.... and waiting for my invitation to the bagel baking party.... ;)
Karen
LOL. I haven't heard from her again so I'm afraid bagel making might be cancelled. Although I might try it myself. The ribbon is from Michaels and is much darker/dirtier looking than in the photos for some reason. The true colour doesn't pick up. ~ karen!
Tracey in GA
Looks beautiful. I like the suitcase idea. My wire ribbon was great, until it stabbed me in the finger and blood squirted on my decorative reindeer. I’m sold on the wireless type of everything now. Your photos are good. The fact you can remember to take a picture, upload to your blog, and successfully share it with us is a huge accomplishment that some of us (maybe just me) could not do. Your house looks so clean! I’m envious. I have packing peanuts, Amazon boxes, old dog toys, and bags of cheap bows surrounding my tree at the moment. Maybe I could hide all that in a steam trunk display?
Karen
Everything that I put away to make room for my Christmas stuff is in the suitcases! And my house WAS a disaster. A complete dirty, disaster. I spent over 12 hours cleaning this weekend. Longgggg overdue. ~ karen!
Teddee Grace
The source for the ribbon? It's beautiful.
Karen
All of it is from Michaels! (on sale and with coupons of course) ~ karen
Debbie from Illinois
Wow! I’m off to check out Michael’s. 🎁
Mary W
Your slouch looks great! Love the old fashioned feeling and especially the guts to take them out from under the tree. That present place is for the squirrels! But the suitcases and staging look so nice. Seems like you have inspired a new way to decorate with presents and I am going to love doing this.
Linda J Howes
I don't invest too much time or money on wrapping, after all you want to get to what's inside and the best way to do that is by ripping that wrapping off. I'm a ripper and I think everyone else should be too. Drives me crazy when they pick at the tape to neatly unwrap. I sometimes don't even wrap neatly for that reason, to give them something to grab and RIP!!!!
Karen
I think of wrapping like plating food. You eat ( unwrap ) with your eyes. It's a good way to trick someone into feeling like the present inside is possibly more special than it actually is. ;) ~ karen!
Lois M Baron
I am coveting those giant pine cones. Rarely do I get to add coveting to my usual sins of gluttony and sloth, so, Thanks for that, Karen!
Karen
I'm there for ya. ;) ~ karen!
Diane
Usually I choose my wrapping paper and ribbon to coordinate...three papers and simple satin or wired ribbon. This year it’s tartan with mostly black and white. Love the simplicity of just a couple of papers and ribbon choice. Of course once you start getting mailed gifts it gets a little more unorganized, but for one shining moment it looks stunning.
Karen
Go tartan!! ~ karen
Lynn
That is absolutely lovely!
I try to do the eco-friendly, reusable thing every year, but, yeah, slouch (and life!) take over.
A bunch of years ago I was fascinated by a book I saw on furoshiki, a style of wrapping with fabric squares. The idea is that the beautiful gift wrap gets passed around with all the people you gift, kinda like a never-ending gift. No waste, right?
But, the only person who usually enjoys it is my sewing friend, and all of her quilting relatives. And every year I say I’m going to spend fifteen minutes a day to work on cutting and hemming my stock of Christmas fabric, and, slouch.
Looking at your lovely packages makes me want to buy paper and ribbon and have fun! (At least until I get done slouching with my fabric.). The papers you chose also remind me of this fabric upstairs that...
I’m a brand new reader to this post and I think I’m going to really enjoy it. Thank you!
Karen
Hi Lynn! I've done the Japanese fabric wrapping and I wasn't especially great at it. All of my presents looked like they were wearing diapers. ~ karen!
Elissa Rioux
Merry Christmas Karen! Thank you for the gift you give us all year long!💕
Karen
Thanks and you're welcome Elissa! ~ karen
Heather
Very pretty! Makes me want to unwrap all my rather dull efforts and start over again. Maybe I can make mine look better under the tree if I string tiny lights and cedar boughs through them. Thanks for the idea! Thanks for all your great ideas! And merry Christmas, Karen. Your site makes paying Rogers less painful every month. xo
Karen
Uch, I hear you! ~ karen!
judy
don't unwrap-overwrap-add to the suspense,why are my presents double wrapped? They must be twice as wonderful!
J Riley
Love this! Where did you find the tartan/checked wrapping paper? Thanks.
Karen
All the ribbon and paper was from Michaels! ~ karen
J Riley
Thank you.
Paula
I love that subtle look, so pretty. Where did you end up finding the ribbon without wire?
Karen
Michaels has it. ~ karen!
Paula
Thank you!
Kimberly
I remember when wired ribbon became “a thing”. And I was so so excited about it. Well. You have just sold me on regular ribbon for next year! So clever and trendy and convincing of you!
Every year I get some sort of lovely vintage
Karen
Look for regular ribbon at thrift stores. That's usually the cheapest place to find it! ~ karen
Patricia
I almost didn’t see the kitty in this photo but how handsome he/she is, looking perfectly at home under the tree. Adorable!
Jennifer
This is the year! The year I finally use up all the scraps of beloved wrapping paper from Christmas past. Yes, my wrapping style this year is whatever is left on all the rolls. I call it, Christmas Hodgepodge.
Karen
I like that, lol. ~ karen!
Barb
I like your Christmas Hodgepodge...beats what I'm calling mine this year, Eclectic.
charissa
Lights ordered, present wrapping ogled, and chuckles stifled (burgandy! lol. I spelled atta(t)chment wrong until I was in my mid 30s:)) I had to say thank you for a year of hysterical and inspiring posts that really helped me while battling hard times and some depression this year. You never fail to make me giggle and sometimes, laugh so hard that tea comes out my nose. Just wanted to say as my Christmas present to you, that you are appreciated and what you do matters more than just doing stuff, but the doing stuff matters too.. Merry Christmas and thank you to a kindred spirit. (Yes, that is an Anne of Green Gables reference)
Karen
Thanks for saying that charissa! And here's hoping next year is an easier one for you. ~ karen!
Cathy Reeves
I so adore your vintage suitcases that I’m thing it might be worth a trip to Canada to talk you out of them. I’ll bring lots of bacon, and pizza with me to distract you and once gone you’ll never catch me cause you’re such a slouch.
And the slouchy green ribbon is perfect too. But I won’t steal your presents, that would ruin your Holiday after all. Maybe your camera...what are the deets on that? I could stand to replace mine. Maybe a quick swap out while I’m there...
Hmm.. this caper is getting better and better!
Katherine Connors
Cathy Reeves
Willing be your get away driver. Also to thro in alcohol to go w/your bacon&pizza. Have experience in high speed pursuits-no police record on any continent (hmm, intrigue)
Must be willing to share in the suitcase bounty!
Karen,
I also strongly 2nd Charissa's comments. Found you by coincidence this summer researching a chicken project. You had me hooked. Your hysterical & I greatly appreciate/look forward to your emails. They can make my day! After 3 yrs in a row of back surgeries, leave me fighting to return to my beloved job as a vet tech along with missing the physical aspects I love so much. Like harvesting my Kennebec potatoes (being from Kennebec county-lol!) My animals keep me going, made part of my daily physical therapy, yet on real bad days days, I know I've always got you! :) even my deadpan, nonanimal, nondecor, non-much of anything, hubbie enjoys our early morning read together. Thank you! Your hard work is very much appreciated! Merry X-Mas & very Happy New Year!
Karen
Thanks for saying that Katherine. Good luck getting back to the job you love! And harvesting. ;) ~ karen!
billy sharpstick
Yes, Enquiring geeks want to know. What is your new camera?
Christina Contri
That red bow is beautifully droopy!! How do you get it looking so perfect?
My wrapping is the same as it's been for the past several (more than I want to count) years. I have seven or so black & white patterned papers that we tie with red or green ribbons and over-the-top gift tags. I love the b&w theme because it perfectly matches the tree, which only has penguin ornaments on it.
Karen
Your tree only has penguin ornaments on it and you chose to discuss your wrapping???!!! LOL! ~ karen!
judy
I can't get over the documentary "March of the Penguins". The unbelievable hardship they endure to lay their eggs and the daddy penguins hold the egg on their flippers and keep it "warm". The mommys go off to fish while the men go without food for months! Amazing!
Karen
That was a great documentary! It was so sad, lol! Who would ever think a penguin documentary could be so heart wrenching! ~ karen
jo foster
I think that your presents look absolutly Beautiful! I adore the drape of the ribbon. Think I am going to try your simplistic approach.... also amòrderi g the lights. Just what I was looking for. Thank You.