Beyond the Gift Shop -
7 Steps for Giving an Extra Special Gift
by Elle Staats
You’ve gone to your favorite gift shop and purchased the gift you think is just right for that special person. Now what? Like me, you might be tired of reaching for the nicest recycled gift bag in the overstuffed box stored under your bed and the notecards with basic birthday quotes that you found online. This time, you really want to make your gift special. Let me help you use those resources you have on hand or purchase new items in order to prepare the perfect gift and card.
Before we begin, allow me to encourage you to consider this list as a buffet of options. It is not necessary to use each step every time; in fact, that would likely be overwhelming! Pick and choose what works for you and would speak to the person you are blessing with a gift as well as the occasion for it.
STEP ONE package with the receiver in mind
The key to a perfect gift is to consider the person who will receive it. The packaging is no different. Of gifts given in the past, my experience has been that by far the most “wow” responses have been due in part to packaging that reflected the interests, personality, and needs of the person to whom I gave the gift. So, step one, think about what you know about the person and occasion.
- Does he prefer nature or urban experiences?
- Does she surround herself with colors that are bright or pastel?
- Is he drawn to modern or ethnic or rustic styles?
- Would she enjoy a flashy package or subdued?
- Would a gift bag be practical because of the portability or is a wrapped box a special touch?
- Is the gift event more formal, requiring a more traditional style of wrapping, or casual?
STEP TWO use creative materials in wrap
If you are brave to try it and know the person would also enjoy it, you may find that using unique or unusual materials bring a smile and warm feeling to your loved one. The options are limitless. So, here are some tested ideas to get you started:
- Wrap the gift in an unconventional, yet practical, way.
- Packing a picnic basket with a gift of food or outdoor supplies is a practical way to make the “wrapping” creative; just add a bow!
- Similarly, a child might love to receive their gift wrapped in a new backpack.
- A crafter would find it interesting and practical to see a beautiful fabric as their gift packaging.
Sometimes the gift is an unusual shape and creativity takes it from awkward to playful and fun! For example, a tube can be wrapped in traditional paper, but a simple twist of the ends makes it look like a large wrapped piece of candy. An attractive reusable shopping bag might help package an unwieldy gift or gift for a young child who would struggle to open a wrapped box. A blanket, tablecloth, sheets, or t-shirt can cover a larger gift and provide a second gift in the process.
STEP THREE think outside the box with trim
Once you have picked out your packaging, it’s time to think about the finishing touches. How will you secure it? You might consider tying a wrapped package with twine, burlap, paracord, a strip of velvet or lace, a men’s tie, leather, or other unexpected materials. Use lengths of tape to decorate the wrapped box: washi, duct, painters, or masking. Grab a second strip of wrapping paper to decorate with a band of coordinating color or pattern. Fold the paper before wrapping in order to create a pocket; there are many tutorials online for this. These are a few of my favorite things!
To add a decorative element, you might place a single flower or sprig of leaves tied into the ribbon or placed in the pocket. A simple brown or white paper wrapping is a great “canvas” for personalizing with art using crayon, marker, or pencil (just make sure to use thick paper!) and drawn by adults or children. An elegant finish to a plain-paper wrapped gift is to write your loved one’s name in large, bold cursive or print across the top of the wrapping (flourish encouraged!).
STEP FOUR include a card
You might be wondering: is this step really necessary? Not always, but it can be a lovely touch and an opportunity to make your gift extra special. Here there are really two main choices. One, purchasing a card or, alternatively, making a handmade card. However, I’d like to add a third hybrid option. Interested? Read on…
Perhaps the simplest choice, especially for those who aren’t as artistically inclined, is to purchase a card with a meaningful message that simply requires your name or personal note. Typically, you’ll find these may be of a sentimental side or more humorous. This is another opportunity to consider your relationship. Is your connection more playful and teasing or more serious and emotional? Though a simpler choice, this will still be a special card if you spend some time in careful selection.
A hybrid of purchased and handmade cards may be a good middle ground for your card. There are many ways to take this approach. You could find something in the blank cards section with an interesting pattern or picture and add some details to personalize it. For example, you may consider adding a second layer over a pretty patterned card in the form of a sticker or piece of art or even a picture you’ve taken and then printed. Embellishing with a ribbon tied around the spine of the card or woven through punched holes or adding a few sticker gems or glitter to the front of the card would be a pretty touch. There are many ways to add some interest to an otherwise simple pre-designed card.
Love is a great beautifier
A completely homemade card will probably take more time and effort, but will certainly result in a very personal touch. One simple and cost-effective approach is to keep on hand a set of folded cardstock cards, from your favorite gift shop, with matching envelopes. The sky is the limit in the creativity of cardmaking and a quick search online would offer easy to complex designs. If you have skills in calligraphy or watercolor, pencil art or graphic design, and more, this is a great option for you! And, don’t forget that it is not about the cost and complex nature of the supplies that form a beautiful card. Some of the most cherished cards I’ve seen have been simple construction paper and crayon, formed with the great love of a child.
Finally, in any of these card options, you might consider the envelope as another blank slate. The simple handwritten name of the recipient is certainly traditional and adding some flourishes or color or art would be a fun and personal touch. A sticker could add some joy of childhood to the back flap, and an old-fashioned wax seal is an unexpected touch for those who love history. Have fun considering what will bring a smile to the face of your loved one!
Any of these choices will show an extra level of time and effort to make the receiver feel important. That’s really the key. As Louisa May Alcott says in the book Little Women, “Love is a great beautifier.”
STEP FIVE add a personal note
One way to make your card personal is to add a quote that you love and know would bring joy to your loved one. You might begin by searching online for quotes from books or authors you love. You may also search for “birthday quotes,” “friendship quotes,” “quotes on family,” or similar themes. If this idea of sharing quotes with your loved ones brings you joy, you may want to have a notebook to collect those quotes for future use. Consider making a note of when and for whom you’ve previously used the quote.
Perhaps the best way to add that personal side to your card is to consider the person and then add something that is unique to your relationship. This might be a treasured memory or inside joke. Or you might share something you cherish about the relationship. It may be especially encouraging to write about a quality you admire about that person.
Finally, you will always be safe searching for etiquette for the occasion to keep a traditional feel. The more formal the occasion, the more this advice might be the best place to start. A quick search in a book of etiquette or online will result in sage advice for what sentiments to include for a wedding, baby shower, birthday party, and more. Proper etiquette is always going to result in a polished and lovely effect.
STEP SIX set the stage
Personally, I cringe at the idea of a public surprise gift (or party!), but I know others who love the experience! It is important to know your gift recipient when you consider the timing and location for giving your gift. To make the gift truly special, it is important to carefully plan how to give the gift. There may be times when leaving a gift to be discovered by the recipient alone would be an appropriate and considerate surprise. Commonly gifts may be offered in a private moment between two people so the recipient is not on display in a crowd and the experience is more personal. Other times, the setting may naturally be more public as in a large party or gathering. The occasion and the personality of the giver and receiver will dictate the best choice among myriad options.
STEP SEVEN give with confidence and joy
When you give a beautiful and meaningful gift, remember to offer it with a smile and confidence. The recipient will enjoy the gift and feel more comfortable when you are joyful and relaxed. I am often tempted to downplay the gift because I don’t want to steal the attention or because I feel awkward in the moment, but I have found that when I have given gifts with happiness and excitement it is a more enjoyable experience for both parties.
a few last thoughts
Now that you’ve previewed the smorgasbord of options, pause to consider which ones fit this perfect gift. My suggestion is to start small. Pick just one of these steps and try it out. Maybe the wrap will be simple and the card will be the personal touch. Perhaps the wrap is the show-stopper. Could adding a small flower to an otherwise traditional wrap make all the difference? The ideas are meant to be selected as needed for a unique result each time you offer a gift. Over time, you may want to use multiple suggestions on one gift, but it is certainly not necessary to use more than one in order to create a personal and meaningful present.
Don’t forget that it’s okay to seek some help. Many stores offer packaging as an option or you may know someone who loves to wrap or create cards. Speshlhaus Gifts offers beautiful gift wrap options using sustainable, boutique designed paper from Mock Up Designs in England complete with a handwritten personal message (see step five).  This is a great option for those times when you want something special and just don’t have the time to do all of it yourself.
Whatever you choose, take a minute to remember that the relationship you have is the real gift for both of you. To quote C.S. Lewis, “Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art… It has no survival value; rather it is one of those things that gives value to survival.” Your relationship is what is valuable and the gift is an overflow of that. In your relationships and in your gifts, go beyond survival and seek the valuable treasures!
