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Add some Sparkle to your Gift Wrapping

Posted on 10. Dec, 2009 by Rachael in Books

It’s no accident that I’m the author of SPARKLE’s Book section – I love books. Booksalways feature on my list for Santa. That being said, even I have to admit that a bland oblong, covered in naff wrapping paper sitting under the tree is so very boring looking.

Why not try my ideas for adding a bit of pizzazz to book-gifts this Christmas?

I’m all for tasteful wrapping of gifts, but not at Christmas. More is more, lots of tissue paper, lashings of ribbon, really bling your gifts up. They look great under the tree and wrapping them beautifully really adds perceived value.
Lay 3 or 4 layers of tissue paper on a flat surface. Place your book in the middle then put some sweeties (like a bag of Haribo or a Terry’s Chocolate Orange is particularly effective for this).

Slowly bring each leaf of tissue paper up to the centre and tie with some ribbon near to where the gift ends, so that the tissue at the top creates a ‘kind-of’ flower. Tie around lots more ribbon and run the edge of the scissors along it to curl it more…et voila! Now that doesn’t look remotely boring

Great gift ideas for a tenner.

Peppa Pig books
I’ve yet to come across a small child who doesn’t like the oinking phenomenon that is Peppa Pig. A great idea is to buy a story book (for around £4.99), along with the little figures (around £5). This can really bring the story alive as you can act out the book playing with the figures as you read along. If you’ve got lots of time on your hands why not hide the figures somewhere in the house and leave a clue to where they’re hidden within the pages of the book – like a little treasure trail. This idea will work for lots of popular characters like Igglepiggle & Upsy Daisy from In The Night Garden, or the Piplings off Waybuloo (hmmm yes, it is all like a foreign language). If you’re after the title of ‘Cool Aunt/Uncle’ then a little playful imagination goes a long way.

Oz Clarke’s Pocket Wine Guide
This book is £5, wrap it up inventively as above with a bottle of vino – it certainly beats a bottle bag under the tree.

The Secret by Rhonda Byrne

This book is an ideal gift for someone who is hoping for a better year in 2010, or looking for new direction in their life. Synopsis: “…TheSecret reveals the mystery of the hidden potential within us all. By unifying leading-edge scientific thought with ancient wisdom and spirituality, the riveting, practical knowledge will lead readers to a greater understanding of how they can be the masters of their own lives.”
Along with this book you could give an Amethyst stone, said to be the stone of transformation and inner peace. These can be picked upvery reasonably in lots of health food stores and gift shops. Or pop into Oxfam and buy a beautifully hand-made ‘Worry Doll ‘for only £1.99: “Legend has it that if you put one of these dolls beneath your pillow after telling it your worries, it will take them away whilst you are sleeping.” These are great for kids who are afraid of having nightmares too.

Guide to Beer (£3.99)
I think the title of this book is pretty self explanatory, add a bottle or two of some locally brewed beer or ale to the gift, or one of the real ale gift packs that are out there.

This idea of making a book more of a gift experience can run and run, and shows how using a little bit of imagination can make sure that you and yours have a SPARKLING Christmas. So surround yourself in tissue paper and ribbons, put on some of Mike’s fab music recommendations, pour yourself a Christmas tipple and have fun creatively wrapping your goodies.

Tags: book gifts for small children, Christmas, creative gift wrapping ideas, gifts, Oz Clarke, Rhonda Byrne, The Secret

Rachael Holden

Author for the online friendship and dating site Sparkle

Rachael - has written 29 posts on Sparkle in my life. Contact the author

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