Wednesday 27 November 2013

The art of gift - wrapping

So, my friend's little son had his birthday, and he was opening gifts. He struggled a bit to get the paper off one of them. - Oooh, a car! We applauded encouragingly when a green truck revealed itself from within the shiny red gift-paper. The boy gave the car a rather uninterested glance - and turned his attention back to the paper. Red and bright, with some glittery spots. He giggled and waived it triumphantly in the air, carefully inspecting it, making a ball of it - which he lost on the floor. Crisis! His mum picked it up, and tried to sneak it out to the garbage. NOT a popular decision with Birthday Boy whose face turned completely red, and I swear that his furious screams could have waken up a sleeping giant! The mum hurried back - with The Paper! Oh joy! He laughed and hugged it dearly - like he was welcoming a long lost friend.

And I don't think he is the only one who has fallen in love with the shiny wrapping paper rather than with the gift inside? But maybe usually kids? Well not anymore! Because, my dear reader, let me say one thing: if you ever get a present wrapped up in gift paper from India, - well, then my guess is that you might act just like that little boy! Oh yes! I am not joking. You will admire it, caress it, and maybe even make it into a ball and throw it in the air while you scream with joy?! Who knows?!

And if you have one of these relatives- I think we all do - you know, the ones who walk silently around picking up the used gift wrapping paper, smoothing it out, while mumbling: it-is-a-shame-to-throw-away-something-so-beautiful. Well, I am pretty sure that they will go bananas by the sight of the gift paper from India, and don't be surprised if you yourself start to act that way too! You might feel a sudden urge not to let that paper get away..

So, envelopes, paper, small cards, big cards, gift tags, wrapping paper, small boxes, big boxes, stars, small bags, big bags, frames - all with patterns and colors and decorations which are simply amazing. Small pieces of art, really. Invaluable tools for taking the art of gift-wrapping to a new level.. Just have a look:
Frames; perfect for the annual pictures of your kids, - to their grandparents:-) Bags, paper and boxes in all sizes and colors you can imagine. Everything you need to wrap up your gifts!
Colorful envelopes with small glass pearls, and gorgeous patterns. A gift in itself:-) 
Wrapping paper, cards and bags. And my favorite: elephant envelopes:  perfect gift-bags for shawls, books and cd's!
You may find envelopes, paper and gift bags in most book stores in India. I found some beautiful gift bags and cards in a shop at Hasnabad Lane in Santacruz. I got totally lost (in a positive way) in Chimanlals at Fort. The problem there is to be able to decide what to get. When a friend and I just went there - we spent hours. Really, hours. So, know this, dear family and friends - your Christmas gifts will have a captivating look this year. Be prepared to hang on to your paper and to guard it from lurking relatives:-)
Beautifully decorated small paper stars:-) They have them in Chimanlals - in lots of different colors.
You build them (read: open them) - but very easy- peasy! ( IKEA-style) Perfect for upcoming Christmas:-)  

Have a wonderful day, dear reader, and thanks for following! Bye bye from Mumbai! 

22 comments:

  1. i too love the gift wrappers a lot n end up spending so much time in selecting the wrap.you get such a great collection here.. also i unwrap the gift slowly so that the wrapper does nt spoil. i dnt feel like throwing the wrapper

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    1. Thank you Smitha - Me too! So many beautiful things to choose from! I think a lot of people will think like you. The paper is just too gorgeous to be thrown away..

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  2. beautiful gift options. it is obvious why you got lost in while selecting :)

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    1. Yes, so many gorgeous items.. Must be a nightmare for someone who has trouble making decisions.. Thanks for visiting. Best to you:-)

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  3. I can totally relate to the birthday boy :) I used to love gift wrapping paper and do so even today . Some of the papers are so artistic and beautiful . Sometimes the wrapping paper is more interesting than the gift itself. Nicely written dear Eli :)

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    1. Thank you dear Pallavi! It seems we are on the same planet regarding gifts and their wrappings:-) All the best to you:-)

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  4. It is indeed an art..something I totally lack but appreciate... thanks for the tips...

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    1. He he - well, we can not blame the amazing paper and boxes:-.) Amazing. All the best to you Prasad, and thanks for following:-)

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  5. Lovely paper - so artistic, colorful, beautiful! Must pick some up on my next trip.
    P.S. My Greek aunties are always saving the wrapping papers! LOL

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    1. Yes, they are so lovely! Those Greeks aunties know what they are doing:-) He he :-) Best to you Alexandra:-)

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  6. I too love collecting gift wrappers.. Hey Eli, my Mom stays in 2nd Hasnabad lane, Santacruz too.. I can relate exactly how you must have enjoyed shopping from there... Thanks for referring Chimanlal's.. Will try out next time I go to Mumbai... Hugsxx

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    1. Oh, that is great Nilu! I love the shops there:-) Thanks for following. All the best to you!

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  7. Yes, I also have a family member who saves the paper and reuses it! Paper is beautiful love the last photo of the star.

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    1. He he .. Just love those relatives:-) Yes, it is so great, and the stars are really cute. Warm thoughts to you Amelia:-)

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  8. Hi Eli, I do enjoy your blog a lot and have awarded you the Leibster Award. Details on my blog :) Thanks for being an awesome blogger!

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    1. Thank you Pallavi- that sounds exciting! I'll head off to your blog to see what that is about:-) ( Love to follow your blog anyway..) Best to you sweetie:-)

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  9. Hi Eli,
    Love the gorgeous gift wrapping paper and especially loved the beautiful paisley card. Couldn't help but wonder how it would look in a cookie form.
    Happy Thanksgiving!

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    1. Happy thanksgiving to you and your family Asmita! And thank you for your kind words:-) I bet:-) - that would be some awesome looking yummies!! Best to you:-)

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  10. Nominating your blog as one of my faves! http://madh-mama.blogspot.ca/2013/11/my-first-blog-nominationaward.html

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    1. Oh wow Alexandra! That sounds awesome - will check it out! Your blog is on my fav list too:-) Hugs to you:-)

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  11. So pretty - I always ask my parents to bring me back gorgeous wrapping when they come from India. Love their cards too...

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    1. Yes, they are so amazing! No wonder you ask them to bring you! ! haven't seen anything like this in other countries. Thanks for visiting Ameena - and wish you the best!

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