THE GIVING OF A GIFT

Ladies' Mirror, Volume I, Issue 6, 1 December 1922, Page 30

THE GIVING OF A GIFT

by M.L.T.

PARCEL S—and PARCELS

'T'HERE are parcels, and parcels—rather uninteresting information you will say; but if you consider a moment you will see that there is something in it. There are, I repeat, parcels and parcels, in the same way that there are gifts and gifts. The average person’s idea of a parcel is an object wrapped in any piece of paper and tied with any piece of string, but such a finish does not add to the attraction of a birthday, Christmas, or any other gift. Of course, a string of pearls, for instance, would be equally welcome if sent wrapped in newspaper—but most of us do not “rise” to strings of pearls! and if our gifts are of necessity simple ones, there is an added satisfaction to the giver, and pleasure to the recipient when they are attractively wrapped—besides, the giving of a gift with an unattractive exterior always seems to say, “I had to give you something—well, here it is, and thank goodness that’s over!” The doing up of a parcel gives quite an amazing scope for the expression of one’s own personality, as well as one’s feelings towards the receiver of it. You can make the parcel typical of the occasion, or simply a delight to the eye. You can enhance your gift and give delight to the recipient with a very little, or a great deal, of trouble, as your mood leads you. In the first place, a gift sent in a box is far more attractive than a floppy parcel—so, as the time approaches, save your boxes. Coloured tissue paper costs little, and narrow coloured ribbons can be bought to match or contrast, or—if you arc a luxurious person —you may “splash” in ribbons of wider make. Also, gold cords from chocolate boxes are useful. A box of handkerchiefs for an elderly friend could be wrapped in lavender tissue, and tied with ribbon of a deeper tone —and if you have lavender growing and can tuck a few

sprigs into the ribbon, it will have added charm—or you may wrap in brown scarlet or white, tie with scarlet, and finish with a sprig of holly for a masculine friend. If you give a rose sachet cut a single lovely rose out of wallpaper and paste on a pale blue tissue wrapped box and tie with old rose. A fresh cut rose of perfect shape could also be used. A NOTHER good idea is to cut out friend’s initials in quaint design and contrasting colour. A flight of birds on a background of blue, stripes and spots; moons and crescents all in many odd arrangements of colour and design—-in fact, the parcel can be made so attractive that one hesitates to open it and destroy the work of art! Trees of the poplar and cypress type are effective on long narrow parcels, cut out of dark green paper, while you will delight the children by cutting out white or yellow ducklings, black cats, and many other animals beloved by the small folk, and arranging them singly, in groups, or in single file, according to the shape of the box. Wallpaper samples are also of great resource —in fact, any figured paper will find its billet. Round boxes (such as boxes of face powder) are dainty if wrapped in a big round of tissue (a shade to match the scent, perhaps), which is gathered up to the top and tied, and the edge fringed like a big chrysanthemum —or you may simply cut it in points. Of course this all means a certain amount of trouble—but after all, where is the value of an obviously careless gift? Since the majority of us have given up making presents with our own fair hands, as our grandmothers used to do, the least we can offer is a little forethought and care. Appearances may be sometimes deceptive—but a charming exterior goes half the way—besides it is a pleasant task!