Hello Reader,

A very warm welcome if you're new here. Every couple of weeks I pop into your inbox with a little gift wrapping inspiration, ideas to try and, quite often, a peek at what I've been practising too.

Now, grab yourself a cup of tea, get comfortable, because this week I'm going to tell you a story (which may be familiar to you!).

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A story of Christmas Past, Christmas Present and Christmas Yet to Come.

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And it all begins with a rather suspicious Christmas wrapping drawer... 👻🎁
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Are you ready?
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It was a dark and stormy October afternoon when I opened the Christmas wrapping drawer. Well, actually, it wasn't particularly dark or stormy, but that sounds much more Dickensian 😂
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And what I found inside was enough to summon three ghosts.
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Not quite the sort Ebenezer Scrooge encountered, admittedly, but equally capable of making you question your past decisions. Particularly those involving wrapping paper.

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​Let's start with the ghost of Christmas past 👻
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Remember that beautiful wrapping paper you bought three years ago? The one you loved so much you couldn't possibly throw away the leftovers?
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It's still there.
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A roll (and I use the term lightly) containing approximately enough paper to wrap half a satsuma (or half a Terry's Chocolate Orange?).
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Alongside it, several bits of ribbon that are too short for anything sensible..... but far too nice to throw away.
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A collection of gift tags, some of which have been hanging around since 2017...maybe?
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And that slightly crumpled sheet of tissue paper you carefully folded away because it might just come in handy.
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Then there are the purchases.
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Every December, we buy another roll of paper (or three, can't miss out on a 3-for-2) because we can't remember whether we've got any.
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Another reel of ribbon because the colour looks lovely and matches your newly purchased gift wrap.
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And another packet of gift tags because, well, they're Christmas gift tags.
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The Ghost of Christmas Past has quite a lot to answer for.
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What about the ghost of Christmas present 🎁
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Pun, absolutely intended!!
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Anyway, back to the drawer.
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Having surveyed the evidence of Christmases past, you realise you've accumulated enough wrapping supplies to start your own gift wrapping service.
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Yet somehow, you still can't find a decent pair of scissors.
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Or the end of the sticky tape - to be fair, this is always a tricky one.
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And the ribbon you actually want to use is tangled around three other reels. Sound familiar?
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Now, I'm not suggesting we all need to become obsessively organised. I certainly don't want anyone throwing away perfectly good ribbon just because it's been sitting in a drawer for a while.
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But I am a great believer in having a proper gift wrapping toolkit. Not an enormous collection of expensive equipment, just the things you actually need, kept together so they're ready when you are.

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​Good (sharp) scissors, reliable tape, double-sided tape, a hole punch and a selection of ribbons, twine and gift tags can make a surprising difference.
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Nothing particularly complicated, but everything has its place. And, more importantly, you know where to find it.

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Which brings us to our final visitor.
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The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come 🎄
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Picture the scene. It's Christmas Eve. You've still got three presents to wrap.
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There's something festive on the television, the kettle's boiling (or the Prosecco is chilling?) and you're finally ready to tackle those last few gifts.
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But first, you need to find the scissors. Then the tape. Then a gift tag.
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And, just as you're about to finish, you discover the wrapping paper is six inches too short.

Now imagine a slightly different Christmas Eve.
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You've had a little rummage through your wrapping drawer in October. You've worked out what you've already got, what you actually need and what can be reused.
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Your toolkit is ready, your paper is sorted, and your ribbons are untangled.
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You might even have time for a mince pie or half the tub of Quality Street (other tubs are most definitely available).
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Now that's a Christmas future I could get behind. Especially as I think I have mentioned, you will quite often find me wrapping on Christmas Eve.
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A change of heart?
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Scrooge eventually discovered that Christmas could be rather enjoyable.
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And I firmly believe the same applies to gift wrapping. It doesn't have to involve an enormous collection of supplies, a last-minute shopping expedition or a frantic search for the sticky tape or scissors.
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Sometimes, all it takes is knowing what you've already got and having a few essentials to hand.

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So perhaps October is the perfect time to investigate that wrapping drawer.
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Or cupboard. Or garage. Or whatever is lurking under the bed.
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You might discover you've already got everything you need.
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Or you might finally solve the mystery of where all those missing gift tags went.
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Where do you keep your Christmas wrapping supplies?

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Are you a neatly organised toolkit person, the proud owner of a dedicated wrapping cupboard, or is everything currently living in a carrier bag at the back of a wardrobe?
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I'd love to know.
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And don't worry. Your secrets are safe with me.
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Lou
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P.S. As promised in the last newsletter, I've recorded a new video showing you how to create the lovely zig-zag pleated finish for your gift wrapping. It's a simple way to add something a little different to your presents! Watch it here.

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​P.P.S. If you'd rather practise your gift wrapping with me in person, my next signature in-person gift wrapping class is at The Garden Rooms at Tennants in Leyburn, North Yorkshire, on Saturday 14 November. Find out more and book your place here.
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