Gift wrapping helps set the tone for the holiday season, given it's often the first impression that gifts make as they sit there under a Christmas tree or on a Hanukkah fireplace mantel. Creative packaging can really add to the excitement and anticipation of the sharing season. So, following are few new tips for gift wrapping to accompany the 2019 West Chester Lifestyle Holiday Gift Guide.
- Make branch clippings that drop from Christmas trees into natural gift toppers instead of bows. Pine branches, holly sprigs, pine cones or kumquats also could added, particularly if wrapping in plain brown parcel paper.
- Use double-sided tape to add some pizzazz to the outside of one-colored, perhaps understated, gift boxes.
- Turn burned out bulbs from holiday lights into 3D details on top of gift tags.
- Spray packages or bags with a light, holiday fragrance.
- The traditional Japanese way of wrapping gifts or personal belongings in special cloth, furoshiki, looks pristine and can be reused, so it's ecologically green, too.
- Place gifts cards in multi-folded, sturdy cookie envelopes/packages sealed with special stickers.
- Consult with the team at Norman's Hallmark Shop, 919 Paoli Pike in West Chester, for further ideas.
This year, consider fine products from the following community retail leaders:
Benjamin Lovell Shoes: 525 Glen Eagle Square, 610.358.0060.
Éclat Chocolate: 24 S. High St., 610.692.5206.
Heart + Paw Pet Care Center: 479 Route 202, 610.783.3117.
Phineas Gage – Men's Clothing: 29 S. High St., West Chester, 484.266.7344.
Sunset Hill Jewelers: 23 N. High St., 610.692-0374.
Salted caramels in various sizes of boxes, Éclat Chocolate.
Caramel Mondiant Gift Sets, Éclat Chocolate.
- Rodd & Gunn
- Motion Pant
- Queenstown Sweater
- Stanaway Button-Down
- Mizzen + Main
- 1/4 Zip Rivington
- Nash Button-Down
- Bonobos
- Stretch Weekday Warrior Pant
- johnnie-O
- Hudson Vest
- 1/4 Zip Sully
- Yellowstone Hangin' Out Button-Down - Seavees
- California Special Shoe
- Citizens of Humanity
- Twig Khaki Pant
- Rodd & Gunn
- Nixon Road Coat
- Queenstown Sweater
- Bonobos
- Jetsetter Button-Down
- AG
- The Everett Jean
- Seavees
- Mariner's Boot
- Bonobos
- Stretch Weekday Warrior Pant
- Mizzen + Main
- Cunningham Button-Down
- Lavelle Blazer
On, Running Cloud 50/50 Black/Hay, Benjamin Lovell Shoes.
Ugg, Union Chukka Black, Benjamin Lovell Shoes.
Samuel Hubbard, Uptown Maverick Pebble Brown, Benjamin Lovell Shoes.
Regarde Le Ciel, Stefany 123 Sangria, Benjamin Lovell Shoes.
On, Running Cloud 2 Dustrose/Mulberry, Benjamin Lovell Shoes.
Pikolinos, Le Mans 8990 Arcilla, Benjamin Lovell Shoes.
Rieker Felicitas, 43 Wine Multi, Benjamin Lovell Shoes.
18K Two-tone Rose and White Gold fancy Diamond Dangle Earrings, Sunset Hills Jewelers.
Platinum Diamond Bow Pendant on 14K White Gold and Diamond Chain, Sunset Hills Jewelers.
18K Rose Gold Diamond and Quartz Dangle Earrings, Sunset Hills Jewelers.
14K White Gold 1.16tw Diamond Pendant, Sunset Hills Jewelers.
West Chester Destination Bracelet in Sterling Silver with 14K Yellow Gold accents, available exclusively at Sunset Hill Jewelers.
Limited Edition Elevated Tableware for Four-Legged Family Members: Cat or Dog Bowl Set, designed with Felt + Fat, made of durable high-fire porcelain; dishwasher- and microwave-safe; hand-cast concrete stand provides the perfect setting for every meal. Comes in small/medium or large sizes, Heart + Paw.
Note: For toddlers or youths on gift lists, gift cards from Monkey Fish Toys, within Bradford Plaza at 662 Downingtown Pike, will allow recipients to select their very own special toys or treats. They also carry one of the largest selections of LEGO products in Chester County. For infants or those expecting babies, consider asking for unique recommendations at Luxey Little Ones, 135 E. Gay St.