I have started wrapping presents that need to be sent to far away places (and Wales!). I save lots of my wrapping for Christmas eve and the 23rd of December as by then I am feeling at my most Christmas mad and it helps to have something to do.
I find that wrapping earlier on requires you to get some of the festive spirit going so that you can fully enjoy yourself.
So last night I dimmed the lights, got out the wrapping apparel (paper, tissue, sellotape, ribbon, gold pens, gift tags and so on), I then selected a Christmas cd (traditional and pop) but you can also put on a Christmas film (more on those later in the month). I spritzed some Christmas fragrance on myself (Caron Nuit de Noel) and got out some Christmas pot pouri (this is actually going in the parcels with the presents to infuse them but also scented the room nicely).
I like to pile the presents that need to be wrapped next to me in their bags as it makes me feel more like a relative of santa. I selected some warming tea last night but really one ought to have a Christmas infused tea/ coffee/ hot chocolate or best of all a mulled wine or cider (or indeed you could have all these things).
Wrapping things for friends and loved ones far away is such a small pleasure. With every little turn of the paper and fastening of the bows I felt more festive.
Noel ribbon picture courtesy of Cox and Cox. You buy the ribbon from them here
Air mail envlope picture courtesy of: www.healeyandwise.co.uk/auction.asp?id=AL36
I love your wrapping rituals - wonderful, I start next week as I need to buy the presents first! xv
ReplyDeleteI won't be wrapping for awhile because of the moving, but I did make mulled cider this last Sunday, and I love how it fragrances the kitchen.
ReplyDeleteOh dear- I am so behind! Loved reading about your rituals- so festive!
ReplyDeleteHi Vicki, it makes it more fun as I prefer to do it later! I have more shopping to do too but had some things that need posting by next week.
ReplyDeleteHi Jena, Mulled cider is great isn't it, I'm starting to prefer it to mulled wine!
ReplyDeleteHi Daily, I still have shopping to do. I just shopped for the parcels to far away places first. Am hitting Piccadily/ Regent's Street/ King's Road on Monday!
ReplyDeleteOh, the rituals are really the best part of the season for me...especially little ones. Like the first time I drink from the Christmas mug...or deciding what the wrapping scheme will be...or which seasonal music to play first this year...
ReplyDelete:)
Hi Scentscelf, me too. The first time I hear carols, the first glass of mulled wine... the list goes on
ReplyDeleteA fellow Capricorn here, and one who loves incensey frags.
ReplyDeleteI cannot make it through the winter without my beloved Winter Delice by Guerlain. Somalian incense, sugar, and fir (as in piney trees!). A gorgeous fume. I can personally recommend Serge Lutens Ambre Sultan to get your incense cravings going as well as Bois d'Armenie (Guerlain)--a very churchy, Armenian to be sure, woody, incense of a fragrance w/just enough sweetness to feel feminine.
Hi, thanks for stopping by. I have Winter Delice on order! It's coming from America and I'm really hoping it gets to me before Christmas! It sounds so wonderful!
ReplyDeleteThank you for both those recommendations, they sound very interesting.