Admit it, wrapping gifts can be such a chore. For Pinoys with big extended families, the task can be exhausting to even think about — it's easier to just drop them in paper bags and call it a day! But, if you prefer to wrap (it can make a gift more special, after all), here are tips on how to make this particular Christmas job easier:
1. Wrap a gift in one minute
This method of wrapping comes from a viral video taken at a department store in Japan. It took the wrapper a mere 30 seconds to wrap two gifts — yes, two so that’s 15 seconds to wrap one present!
Of course, this master wrapper has probably done it thousands of times, but it seems that part of the trick is to position the present at the edge of the corner of the wrapper instead of the middle. Did you notice his technique also takes significantly less time, tape, and effort than how we usually do it? It may change the way you wrap gifts from now on. Find a tutorial on this method here.
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2. Find free printable gift tags
There are lots of pretty printable gift tags you can download for free if you know where to look. The Balance has compiled a long list of them (41 in all!) that you're bound to find something you like. If you can, print on card stock (200 - 300 gsm) so your tags are sturdier and won't fold easy.
The one on the left is from Gatherandfeast.com (find it here) and the one on the right is from Simpleasthatblog.com (find it here).
3. Use materials you already have at home, like bond paper
SmartParenting.com.ph has super easy ideas on how you can make your present stand out from the crowd but still look beautifully wrapped. In the video below, our craft expert shows you how to use materials you already have at home, like white cartolina (or bond paper for small presents), old music sheets from a booklet, and scraps of cloth, to wrap a present. No need to spend extra or get out of the house to buy wrapping paper!
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4. Top with an easy-to-do bow
A bow on top can instantly make a present look well put together. Even a simple layered bow (in the video below) will do the trick. There’s a bit of learning involved to make the florist bow (pictured above on the right), but it’s one of the easiest once you get the hang of it. Find the 4-step tutorial for it here from Better Homes & Gardens.
5. Don’t wrap at all — make the container a part of the present
Instead of a cardboard box that you’d still have to wrap, small pouches can hold abubot that you can give to family and friends like lipstick (here’s a pretty one that’s only P199), earrings, bracelets, nail polish, and other small items. Bonus, your giftee gets the pouch as a present too. Simply place your present inside, add a little decoration like the easy-to-do bow above, and you’re good to go!
The Happy Project makes budget-friendly canvas pouches (the one below is only P120) and supports the differently-abled persons they employ. Here’s one from them and a couple more pouches that will make great present holders: 
The Happy Project Be Happy pouch (Php120); mall kiosks and online
Humi Sandberg in Moss Green (Php350); Humi.ph
Island Girl Lemon Pandan Coin Purse (Php350); Islandgirlph.com
Happy Holidays!
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