Gift wrapping is an art, a tradition, and for many, a source of stress. The holiday season brings joy and cheer, but it also brings the challenge of wrapping gifts. Some gifts, due to their shape, size, or fragility, pose a significant challenge. So, what is the most difficult gift to wrap?
The Art of Gift Wrapping
Gift wrapping has a long history, dating back to ancient China in the 2nd century BC. The tradition of wrapping gifts in paper, known as a chih pao, was a practice reserved for the Chinese court and government officials. Today, gift wrapping is a universal practice, adding a touch of mystery and anticipation to the act of gift-giving.
However, not all gifts are created equal when it comes to wrapping. Some items, due to their size, shape, or fragility, can be particularly challenging to wrap. According to a survey conducted by Clintons, a gift retailer, one third of us admit to getting stressed over wrapping Christmas gifts.
The Challenge of Wrapping
The survey revealed that 40% of respondents found poorly wrapped gifts with excessive use of tape or ‘white paper showing’ to be a major bugbear. But what are the most challenging items to wrap? Here are some of the gifts that were voted as the most difficult to wrap:
- Bikes and tricycles: Their large size and irregular shape make them a nightmare to wrap.
- Potted Plants: The combination of fragility and irregular shape can make these a challenge.
- Large pieces of art: The size and potential fragility of artwork can make it difficult to wrap without causing damage.
- Cars (full size): While it’s not common to gift a full-sized car, it’s certainly a challenge to wrap one!
- A puppy: While it’s not recommended to wrap a living creature, a puppy would certainly be a challenge!
- Large Soft Toys: Their irregular shape and size can make these tricky to wrap neatly.
Tips for Wrapping Difficult Gifts
While these gifts pose a challenge, there are ways to make the process easier. Here are some tips for wrapping difficult gifts:
- Use fabric: For large or irregularly shaped items, consider using fabric instead of paper. A beautiful piece of cloth can be just as festive and is much more flexible.
- Use boxes: If possible, place the item in a box before wrapping. This gives you a regular shape to work with.
- Use gift bags: For items that are just too tricky to wrap, a festive gift bag can be a great solution.
- Get creative: Use ribbons, bows, and other decorations to distract from less-than-perfect wrapping.
Remember, the most important thing is the thought behind the gift, not the wrapping. So, don’t stress too much about making it perfect. After all, it’s the season of joy and giving, not the season of perfect gift wrapping!
In conclusion, while there are many challenging gifts to wrap, the most difficult ones tend to be those that are large, irregularly shaped, or fragile. But with a little creativity and patience, even the most challenging gift can be wrapped. Happy wrapping!
