B4

By ANDREA DIMOCK
For The Daily Gleaner

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The myriad tasks that face everyone during this festive season can be overwhelming. Not only do you have to find the perfect gift, then you have to wrap it.

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Many people dislike this necessary task but there are ways to make it less of a chore and a time of creativity. The first thing to do is get organized.

If possible, try to keep everything in one area. When everything is together - paper, scissors, tape, ribbons, bows, boxes - you are more efficient and less stressed. And have at least two tape dispensers because one is always hidden under the paper at a crucial moment in wrapping.

For those who like to wrap but dislike the waste of the whole process, there are 'green' alternatives. For example, Abby Frost has not bought a lot of wrapping supplies for years.

"As Christmas gets closer, I start to save the colour comics. I re-use as much as I can from the gifts my family has received in previous years," said Frost. "And some charities send wrapping paper as a thank-you for a donation, so I use that too.

"Tape is probably the only thing I have to get on a regular basis."

There are companies that do produce wrapping paper with recycled content. And kraft paper can be transformed in festival wrap with paint or crayons and a little imagination.

Sometimes a portion of the gift can be used as wrapping paper. Specialty soaps can be enfolded in seasonal guest towels.

"I've done some surfing on the net and there are a lot of good ideas out there to make wrapping easy and more green," Frost said. "It's become a game to keep waste down and creativity up."

If nothing can make you think that wrapping is fun, there are alternate methods to eliminate this step in the gift-giving process.

One way is to purchase gift baskets filled with an array of items and needing no additional wrapping. Tracy Brunet, owner of Majesty Gift Baskets in Lincoln, offers a large selection of products to fill her baskets and boxes.

"I actually really enjoy gift wrapping and packaging. I have a knack and like the possibilities available to me," she said.

"The most important things are presentation and attention to every detail. I try to achieve my personal motto of 'where the art of giving matters' every time I create an arrangement for a client."

Brunet strives to provide products that are unique and not found on every shelf in every store. She carries such items as gourmet foods, up-scale bath and body products, and theme items.

"Theme baskets and boxes are very well-received. When I get an order, I spend time getting to know the recipient," she said. "This way, the package is filled with items that will be appreciated and used."

And another plus for this type of gifts is that they can be as small or as large as your budget allows. And the turn-around time for ordering is relatively short.

"I don't know about other similar businesses, but if I have 24 hours, I can get the package finished," said Brunet. "I also offer a delivery service to Fredericton, Lincoln and Oromocto.

"And like many other retailers at this time of the year, I have planned some promotions."

Still another way to circumvent wrapping is to purchase gift certificates. You all know someone who is impossible to please.

Gift certificates have become very popular and can be found virtually everywhere - from clothing and drug stores to supermarkets and specialty shops. Just be sure to deal with a reputable dealer.

Wrapping services are often offered by charities at the local malls. With a donation, these fundraising efforts can assuage any guilt you may feel.

If you cannot find any way to get around the chore of wrapping, gift bags are the simple solution. They are easy to use and come in many sizes, colours and designs for every special occasion.

You add some tissue paper and the job is finished. Decorated boxes are ideal for heavier items. And both can be used again and again, unlike traditional paper.

"I know that many people like the shiny paper and intricate bows, and that's their choice," Frost said. "Since the most important thing is to give rather than receive, the final package decoration really doesn't matter.

"And it's fun to anticipate what the reaction will be when your gift is opened."