Wrapping Gifts Was An Artform

Gift wrapping is a lost art. When I was a kid, getting a gift was a big deal. The wrapping was usually very elaborate. Fist, the gift was placed in a large square or rectangular box. Then a special patterned paper was used to wrap the box. Then a ribbon was wound around the box and a fancy bow, sometimes adorned with ornaments, was the final touch. Every gift was also accompanied by a greeting card. The best cards were Hallmark cards. The other cards were cheaper and considered inferior to Hallmark.

When we opened the gifts, we did not tear into the wrapping. We gently removed the ribbon, saving the bow, and then gently pulled the wrapping paper loose. Sometimes if the paper was in good condition it was salvaged and reused at a later date. Even the boxes were knocked down and saved for later use.

And most important, even if the gift was not exactly what you wanted, you were expected to display a look of surprise and gratitude. A proper thank you was expected and putting the item to use or shared with others with an acknowledgement to the giver was the proper thing to do.