Solutions: The art of giving |
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Perfect setting
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Use place settings to provide a novel Christmas theme. Here we popped a feather inside a folded table napkin then secured it with a strip of card displaying the guest’s name – the strips were cut partway through opposite sides of each end so that they could wrap around the napkin then link together. We then attached a filigree, heart-shaped tree decoration to each name, while filigree Three Kings serve as tabletop decorations. | Napkins $19.99 for four from Spotlight; filigree hearts $12.95 each and Three Kings $16.95 each, all from Le Forge; Christmas mince tarts $2.50 each from Dellows; feathers and table stylist’s own.
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News to you
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Newspaper is an interesting, understated wrap for a parcel. Give it a glamorous twist with ribbons and loops of string. The lovely blue taffeta is topped with a latte ribbon with brown stitched detailing. |
Ribbons: blue $3.20/m, latte $1.80/m, both from Scarlet Ribbons.
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Rich and fruity
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Sumptuous Italian, illuminated fruit paper needs a rich ribbon and we’ve used wide red taffeta topped with a tapestry ribbon in red and gold. The package is trimmed with dried rosehips, twigs and golden pears. |
Paper $6/sheet from Passion for Paper; ribbons: red taffeta $4/m, red/gold $1.70/m, both from Scarlet Ribbons; trims and other items stylists own.
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For a masculine look, use brown paper as wrap. Tie with gold and fawn ribbons and trim with pheasant feathers and a cigar. |
Napkins $19.99 for four from Spotlight; ribbons: fawn ‘Corsica’ $2.50/m and gold and silver ‘Santa’s Tapestry’ $1.70/m, both from Scarlet Ribbons; antique card from TradeMe; other items stylist’s own.
Pink lady
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Think outside the square with your materials and trims. We used gingham for a soft-textured wrap, then decorated with fuchsia ribbon and an op shop find – a wire-threaded sequin and bead necklace. Cheap rosettes add interest to the striped box tied with pink, green and silver ribbons. The dainty ‘Bistro Lady’ tree decoration would make a fun trim for either parcel. |
Gingham fabric $12/m from Global Fabrics; ribbons: fuchsia $1.98/m, pink with spots $2.30/m, both from Scarlet Ribbons; necklace $4 from 300 on Ponsonby Hospice Shop; box $4 and rosettes $2, all from Goods 2U; tree decoration $9.95 from Le Forge.
Stocking thriller
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Use brown paper to make an easy but striking Christmas stocking. Draw a template on to the paper and cut it out. Repeat. Fold over the top on each side. Staple edges together, attaching narrow spotted ribbon at the same time, and leave a length of ribbon at the top to hang the stocking. Decorate with stickers. |
Ribbons: spotted $1.60/m, ‘Nordic’ $2.50/m, both from Scarlet Ribbons; felt stickers $3.95 from Le Forge; spotted paper $4.90/sheet from Kikki.K; stocking fillers and other items stylist’s own.
Bug heaven
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Using wrap, ribbon and even edible treats, give your parcel a theme your recipient will love, such as lucky ladybirds. |
Paper $6/sheet from Passion for Paper; ribbon $2.50/m from Scarlet Ribbons; small gift box $1.79 from Spotlight; ladybird chocolate $1 from Rocket Kitchen.
Pretty in pearls
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You don’t need to use traditional Christmas colours to evoke a festive feeling. Go pretty with pastel and trim gifts with bags of pink and blue sugar-coated almonds. Enhance the theme by tying fine pink grosgrain ribbon around stacked tiny gift boxes. For a fresh gift, give a stunning posy of ‘Ocean Song’ roses, grey stachys leaves and a few sprigs of flowering rosemary with pearls on wire twisted over the top – gorgeous. |
Paper $12/sheet from Passion for Paper; ribbons: aqua blue $3.20/m, narrow 90c/m, all from Scarlet Ribbons; small boxes $1.79 each and cellophane bags $2.69 per pack of ten, all from Spotlight; sugar-coated almonds $22.50/kg from Mediterraneanfood Warehouse; roses from the National Flower Promotion Group; pearls on wire $1.80/m from Scarlet Ribbons; card from TradeMe.
Eastern promise
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For impact, keep your colour choices simple. We used three striking colours here: red, black and white. Parcels in contrasting colours will simply pop from their post under the tree. |
Paper $6/sheet from Passion for Paper; ribbon 90c/m from Scarlet Ribbons; trim $8 from an op shop.
Eat, drink and be merry
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Wrapping food or drink often causes headaches – the awkward shapes don’t lend themselves to traditional ways of wrapping. Instead, try using softer, non-paper materials, like gingham fabric for Christmas puddings. Put wine bottles in a bag if wrapping is too hard and use ribbon, buttons or stickers to add flair.
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Gingham fabric from $4.99 to $12.99/m from Spotlight; ribbons $1.90 to $2.80m, all from Scarlet Ribbons; cognac $6 from Ponsonby Liquor; striped paper stylist’s own; felt sticker $3.95 from Le Forge.
Wagons ho ho ho
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Every child dreams of getting a wagon-load of presents! Load up a toy trolley with gifts decorated to a similar theme. We used wooden cherries and strawberries, felt ribbon featuring Christmas tree cut-outs and even a clothes peg for fun. |
Moose head $349 from Macy Home; spotted paper $4.90/sheet from Kikki.K; ribbons $1.98/m from Scarlet Ribbons; cut-out felt ribbon $4.95/m from Le Forge; wooden fruit from Spotlight; wagon, toys, ukulele and striped paper stylist’s own.
STOCKISTS
Dellows (09) 378 6156
Global Fabrics (09) 366 1991
Goods 2U (09) 376 0082
Kikki.K (09) 524 0156
Le Forge 0800 533 6743
Macy Home (09) 361 3388
Mediterraneanfood Warehouse (04) 939 8100
Passion for Paper (09) 379 7579
Ponsonby Liquor (09) 361 3023
Rocket Kitchen (09) 360 8834
Scarlet Ribbons (09) 476 5315
Spotlight 0800 276 222
300 on Ponsonby Hospice Shop (09) 376 5301
Story: Fionna Hill
Photographs: Kelley Eady Loveridge
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