‘Tis the season of giving! As holidays approach, we begin our gift shopping for all the special people in our life. Giving presents to our family, friends, co-workers, and loved ones is a thoughtful exchange of our feelings and emotions for that special someone. Have you ever stopped to wonder why we give gifts in the first place or what is the perfect gift? The truth is, there is a far greater meaning behind the gift itself ‒ What’s in the gift box comes second to the manner in which it is given. 

When expressing your compassion for those who matter most, there’s nothing as thoughtful as a carefully, delicately wrapped present. Creating a beautiful presentation appeal, will make that person feel special and valued and furthermore, will indicate the amount of time and effort you put into the gift. 

It’s not about how much we give, but how much love we put into giving. 

Let us help you shine, with some simple eH tips on gift-giving etiquette, the do’s and don’ts of wrapping, and how to “Wrap it Up” to make all your meaningful gifts be memorable and stand out in the crowd.  

Host + Hostess Gifts

Whether you’re hosting the holidays or an event this season or were invited to a gathering, bringing a gift to your host or arranging gifts for your guests displays a true act of hospitality and politeness. As far as hosting events, having an arrangement of baked goods or mini gift baskets is always a great way to show your visitors how much their presence truly means – This allows guests to bring a piece of your hospitality home with them! If you’re invited into someone’s home, the gift can also be small; a gesture of gratitude in the form of a candle, festive cocktail napkins, entertaining items such as drink coasters, wine openers, bottles of wine, or perhaps homemade baked goods. Both of these meaningful acts will show your appreciation and compassion. 

*eH insider tip: When arriving at someone’s house, you should always bring a gift – Even if they insist otherwise! Whether it be small artisan-kitchen accessories, candles, wine, or even a Christmas tree ornament, any housewarming gift will speak volumes to your host or hostess. 

Check out our favorite eH favorite hostess gift here. 

White Elephant and Secret Santa Exchange

When it comes to White Elephant + Secret Santa Gift Exchanges, there is usually a budget to follow so no person is ‘out gifted’. As both exchanges are different in nature, it’s important to have fun with them while not being offensive. If you are hosting the party, while the White Elephant exchange is intended for someone to get the “worst” gift in the end, if you want to stand out, have a wonderful gift hidden and that you can bring out and give to them at the end of the exchange. 

*eH insider tip: In White Elephant, the recipients are allowed to ‘steal’ a gift from the other recipients if they like theirs better. We like to promote a level of fairness by sticking to a White Elephant Theme for all gifts! That way many of the gifts offer similar benefits while maintaining their own uniqueness! 

 Cost-Friendly + Eco-Friendly Gifts

The most important thing about any gift is the effort that goes into it.  Placing a photo capturing a favorite moment with a loved one in a frame and beautifully wrapping it, is not only a great option but it is one that shows thoughtfulness.  The best gifts are those that evoke positive emotions.  There are many eco-friendly options when it comes to wrapping gifts and maintaining a gorgeous look. From using yarn-ribbon, creating your own paper gift tags to using sheet music or pages from old books. Aside from being eco-friendly, these options are also cost-friendly and give each present a vintage and unique look.

*eH insider tip: Do you have any old newspapers in the corner of your house? Well, it’s time to use them! One of our favorite alternative wrapping paper is using newspaper to create a beautiful gift wrap, the effect is assured. You can dress it up even more with kitchen string, adding red berries on top and creating roses or a rosette with the newspaper itself – Perfect for creating a one-of-a-kind gift! 

Thank You Note Cards

 A thank you note for a gift should go out within a week of the day you received it. If you forget, however, always take the approach of better late than never. The tone of your message should match the relationship you have with the person you are addressing. For example, a letter to a lifetime friend will be more intimate than the one you would send to a co-worker after receiving a gift. Thank you notes to your friends may be fun, light, and perhaps even humorous. When thanking a client or co-worker for a gift, you might want to have a more straightforward message, unless you are absolutely positive about how a humorous message will be perceived. This is the perfect opportunity to express your gratitude.

*eH insider tip: We believe handwritten notes are the best kind.  Taking the time to sit down & express your feelings from pen to paper, shows how much you value having that special someone in your life.

Etiquette Reminders

Not presenting a gift in the right way makes a statement and it’s not the statement you want to make – Don’t let this mistake be you. Remember, your gift wrapping is ultimately a reflection of you and your efforts. You always want to make sure a gift is nicely wrapped, placed intentionally in a gift bag with tissue and a ribbon wrapped around it. It should also include a card or gift tag, and a gift receipt if appropriate. Wrapping gifts can easily get messy and there’s no shame in watching tutorial videos online if you need a refresher or want to get creative and innovative with your wrapping! 

*eH insider tip: If you rather place the gift you picked out into a beautiful box set with a matching card, this is a great time-efficient option while maintaining a cheerful and welcoming aesthetic.

Wrap it Up Like a Pro!

Picking out the perfect gift for your friends and loved ones is not only fun but rewarding.  Who doesn’t love to see their smiles and feel elated when they say or express how much they love it.  The gift is all about them, making them feel special and acknowledged for the wonderful person they are.  While this is true for the gift, the wrapping represents you and an expression of just how much you care.  This is why the little details make all the difference and transform an ordinary present into an extraordinarily sentimental gift. 

*eH insider tip: Here are some of our all-time favorite wrapping ideas for creating unforgettable gifts!

• First Initial Decoration.  Make it obvious, whose gift this is by affixing their first or first and last initial on top of the box.  The letter(s) are also a fun décor gift too!
• Photo Gift Tag.  There are a lot of things to love about this super cute and personalized gift wrap idea. Adding a photo of yourself and your giftee also gives the bonus gift of a sweet keepsake.
• Yarn Wrapping. Yarn is a handy gift wrapping material. Not only is it a great way to secure your gifts it’s also gorgeous as a homespun accent against natural/brown paper. Wrap it multiple times to create a Christmas tree or personalized monogram.
• Rudolph Gift Wrap.  Create your very own fleet of reindeer with this easy craft that you can display under your tree or anywhere in your home.  Fun for all ages. 
• Rustic Elegance.  Sprigs of rosemary and pepper berry perk up these presents wrapped in kraft paper.
• Plaid Patterns. This is a time when you can never go wrong with plaid.  Mix and match tartan prints in festive colors for a stylish and colorful statement. 
• Road Map. Perfect for the travelers on your list.  Freebie or old road maps and atlas pages serve as great graphic gift wrap. Instead of tying a bow on top, thread a thin cord through a vintage button and knot tightly to secure. 
• Sheet Music.  Repurpose sheet music or purchase at your local store to create a whimsical package with festive cheer. Add a satin bow and jumble of jingle bells for the finishing touches.
• Christmas Chalkboard Packaging.  Whether or not you think you are an artist, this is a fun way to personalize your wrapping.  With black kraft paper and some white paint markers, these creative packages will look great underneath your tree.
• Craft Paper and Boxwood Wreath Gift Wrap.  This beautiful wreath and craft paper design is a definite go-to. It makes plain brown wrapping paper a whole lot prettier.

Ultimately, embracing the art of gift-giving will make a positive impact in not only your life but the lives of those who matter most to you. Most importantly, remember… it’s not about you!  Do your homework, listen for and think about what that individual likes, their lifestyle and what matters to them.  

You can never go wrong by gifting from your heart. Tag us in your beautifully wrapped gifts this season! 

We’d love to see them and repost them on our eH Instagram feed! Enjoy!

-eH

SHARING REAL LIFE TOGETHER