Embarrassing as it may be, I took a wonderful piece of wisdom away from one of “the Girls Next Door,” Bridget Marquardt. While it has nothing to do with romping around the Playboy mansion with Hef, it does relate to taking pride in your work. You see, in one episode, Bridget explained that when giving a present, she finds the importance in not only the present itself but the overall presentation as well (aka the wrapping)!
As a victim of receiving unappealing gift-wrap, (ie: a brown paper bag with “Happy Birthday” written boldly in green Sharpie over the grocery store name) I fully believe in this concept. You should always take pride in anything and everything that you associate yourself with and put your name on. “Lazy” gift wrapping doesn’t send the message you want (unless you plan to leave it on someone’s front door step in flames - wink, wink) nor does it reflect positively on you, the gifter! Something like grocer gift-wrap tells me, you either A) Forgot B) Did this in the car C) Don’t care all too much about me or D) All of the above. It may seem to be asking a lot but it really isn’t difficult to put a little creativity, personality, at least some ♥ into wrapping a present!
Before you scoff at me, here is a perfect example of simple and thoughtful wrapping that has been created by a veteran to the Sharpie Blog, Brian Graves. Brian was previously featured for his Sharpie art work at the J Bar in Chicago in a post entitled, “BIG Sharpie Art.” Today, however Brian shares his take on gift wrapping…
Attending a benefit this month, Champagne Wrap-ture 2009, this BIG artist designed his own wrapping on faux alligator paper from a local paper store with just 2 Sharpie Chisel Tip Permanent Markers! Overlapping different quotes about France, champagne and style, Graves created this beautiful presentation to house a bottle of champagne. (Thank you for sharing Brian!) Take a closer look..
What you need to recreate this beautiful gift-wrap:
- Assorted Sharpies (black plus another color works well)
- Plain paper
- Ribbon
- Literacy (you’ve made it this far so guess what…)
With these same materials here are a few other inspirations created by our very own Phil Ginnodo (Associate Creative Director). Thanks Phil!
And so, if I may ask one thing of you, my Sharpie enthusiasts, this holiday season pleeease don’t be THAT person gifting poorly wrapped presents. After all the hard work you put into choosing the perfect present why stop short? Wrap that baby up and let it stand out as the envy of all the other gifts!
