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Christmas Gift-Wrapping Party!

December 22, 2014 By Talya Tate Boerner 10 Comments

Christmas Gift-Wrapping Party

Last week I hosted my first gift-wrapping party, something I’ve thought about doing for years. Unless you are some sort of party-throwing ninja, it’s too late to arrange a party this year, but keep this fun idea in mind for next Christmas. A gift-wrapping party is the perfect way to spend time with friends and family while knocking out what some folks see as a huge chore—wrapping that growing pile of gifts.

Confession: I love to wrap gifts. I truly do. And sitting around chatting and laughing with friends, listening to Christmas music, drinking a little vino while wrapping Christmas presents elevates gift-wrapping to a new level.

Since I’d never hosted or attended a party quite like this, I did what made sense to me. Everyone left with happy tummies, bags of wrapped gifts, and a little more Christmas spirit, so overall I’d say it was a success.

Invitation.  I created my event on Facebook which is easy and works well if your invitees are Facebookers, but you can invite friends via paper invitations (what?) or e-vite. The important thing is to get the word out in advance because the Christmas calendar fills up FAST with parties and school events. Don’t stress about your invitation. Here’s what I included on my “invitation” which took all of one minute. (Feel free to copy.)

gift wrapping party invitation

Food and Drink. Set up a buffet of hors d’oeurves and a few sweets. Keep the food simple and easy to eat. The point of the get-together is to wrap presents, but let’s be real, a party without food is no party at all. It’s a meeting. Arrange food on the kitchen countertops or island to free up table surfaces for wrapping. My party was a BYOB event, but I had extra wine and beer on hand, along with a few soft drinks and a pitcher of water. Gift-wrapping makes one parched.

gift wrapping party food!

Gift-Wrapping Stations. Designate your dining room table and/or kitchen table for gift wrapping. Pull out leaves in tables to provide as much room as possible. Remove tablecloths, table runners, centerpieces, etc. Add folding tables if necessary. This is serious gift-wrapping business—think Santa’s Workshop… Have rolls of paper within easy reach. And don’t forget tissue paper.

wrapping paper

Ribbon, Paper, Scissors. Since I am a gift-wrapping freak, I already had lots of ribbon and gift tags. Even so, this was a good excuse to pick up cool new paper and embellishments like glittery stars. Flea markets have lots of interesting vintage items for gift decorating. Start collecting now for next year (and forever).

Gift-wrapping supplies become the decorations for your party. Arrange spools of ribbon and tape in bowls (first picture). Egg dishes make great containers for tags, jingle bells, etc. Personal Motto: There’s no such thing as too many egg dishes.

Gift-Wrapping Party necessities.

Wrapping. Wrap until everything is wrapped. Wrap each other’s gifts. Be sure to take pictures. 

gift wrapping party

Leftovers. At the end of the night, if there are leftovers, get them out of the house asap unless you are trying to gain weight over the holidays in which case we can’t be friends. Just kidding (no really). Provide your guests with Ziploc bags or plastic containers for take home treats. 

Alrighty, that’s a wrap on this year’s gift-wrapping party. The best thing about it? When everyone leaves and you are left with the wonderful messiness of a fun evening, your heart is filled with gratitude for a season that brings friends together.

gift wrapping party!

Merry Christmas and may all your gifts be beautifully wrapped. Or at least have fun while wrapping:)

Grace Grits and Gardening

Farm. Food. Garden. Life.

[tweetthis url=”http://wp.me/p58902-1dZ”]The best thing about a #Christmas gift-wrapping party? Bringing friends together + chocolate + wine.[/tweetthis]

[tweetthis]Gift-wrapping makes one parched. #Wine #Friends #ChristmasParty[/tweetthis]

Musical Pairing:

Pretty Paper – Willie Nelson

Gift-Wrapping Party Checklist

 

Filed Under: Crafts, Holiday Tagged With: Christmas, Christmas Gifts, holiday, party, party ideas, wrapping

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Comments

  1. Barbara Tate says

    December 22, 2014 at 9:17 am

    What a fun thing to do. Sounds like an annual affair to me.

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      December 23, 2014 at 7:38 am

      Probably so!

      Reply
  2. Ruth Hawkins says

    December 22, 2014 at 9:54 am

    I LOVE this idea! And it sounds like something even I could do!

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      December 23, 2014 at 7:37 am

      Absolutely Ruth! It is easy and fun. A great reason to get together with friends:) Thanks for commenting.

      Reply
  3. Colene and Tom says

    December 22, 2014 at 11:05 am

    This reminds me of a fundraiser that the Friends of the Library held for several years. We had a set up similar to yours but minus all of the goodies and drinks. Maybe that was our problem. We decided not to do it this year. Your blog is making me wish that we continued the event but we felt there was a declining need for the service. We didn’t have a set charge but people were generous with their free will donations. Merry Christmas to you and your family Talya.

    Reply
  4. Jennifer says

    December 23, 2014 at 10:52 am

    I love this idea! I’ve been a little lacking in the Holiday spirit this year… A party like this would have been just the ticket! I’m gonna host one next year!!

    Reply
  5. Eva Whittle says

    December 23, 2014 at 8:23 pm

    Talya, thanks for the explanation and guidance. What a great idea. I love to wrap packages too. Next year I’m going to try this!

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      December 24, 2014 at 8:00 am

      Thanks Eva! Hope you and your family have a very Merry Christmas!

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Wrapping Blog says:
    December 4, 2016 at 6:40 am

    Christmas Gift Wrap Features Happy

    […] he kitchen countertops or island to free up table surfaces for wrapping. My part […]

    Reply
  2. Card Board Blog says:
    July 23, 2017 at 5:21 am

    Merry Christmas Gift Wrap Roll 24 X 417

    […] but I had extra wine and beer on hand, along with a few soft drinks and a pitch […]

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Talya Tate Boerner


Hi! I'm Talya. Writer, Reader, Arkansas Master Naturalist / Master Gardener, Baylor graduate. Author of

THE ACCIDENTAL SALVATION OF GRACIE LEE

and

GENE, EVERYWHERE: a life-changing visit from my father-in-law


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