Christmas Gift Wrapping Quandry…

"Quandary," lazy.

Oh, dear.

Go away and come back with a real problem.

Thanks, R1! I admittedly fucked that up.

I'm sorry ... what is "self-wrapping," and why wouldn't the task be assigned to one of the servants?

[quote] I admittedly fucked that up.

So, where's the apology?

If something is an odd shape that would make it difficult to wrap neatly, then put it in a box...otherwise it's just being wasteful not to wrap it in the original packaging.

Buy gift bags instead. So much easier and much less messy for everyone. Plus you can use them again.

You're welcome, OP. I forgive you.

The answer depends on your goal.

To give presents pleasantly and with friendship? Just wrap everything as is. You're not giving away any cabins or cars.

To give presents in a way that shows off your professional tape-and-trim skills so you look like a shop girl or someone who hires one, wrap existing boxes and put any loose items into boxes and wrap them. The boxes must be plain or store/content boxes matching the items being wrapped. Tape (if used) needs to completely seal the wrapping. Bows must be hand tied and be presentable. Ribbons need to be ribbon-tied, going all around the packages in a criss-cross, not tapes into place in pieces. Packages need not be matched, but a comparable quality of materials should be used for all packages coming from a source. Name tags need to be in place. Don't let your wrapping finesse build unwarranted expectations.

No cash gifts, ever, are acceptable. Not on Christmas, Dawn. Not on Christmas.

Gift bags would announce that your care in giving matches your proofreading skills. No. Never.

Finally, use your best judgment if anything edible or drinkable is being given. Wrapping booze bottles is unnecessary, unless they're very special.

Is the item already in a rectangular box?

Yes: wrap it

No: put it in a gift bag

There, now go jerk off.

Put it in a bag. Nobody has time for this shit.

Another vote for gift bags.

My mother was famous for saving boxes throughout the year to put other things in for Christmas. As a child, unwrapping a Christmas present to find you have, at least from the box, received a Westbend Hand-held Mixer with three speeds and whisk attachments doesn’t make for cheery Christmas snapshots.

How hard is it to put cash in a red envelope and leave it on the nightstand?

R5, do we know each other, and are you under the impression that you, a complete stranger, is somehow owed an apology???