Wrapper, Not Rapper

I'm not sure why, but I really enjoy wrapping presents. My husband theorizes it's because I didn't grow up in a big family. He, on the other hand, grew up in a house of five kids. It was a lot of wrapping at Christmastime, especially as the second oldest. Anyhow, he was happy to let me take on all the wrapping duties since we moved in together, back in the 90's.

A little bit like when you get compliments on cooking a delicious meal, I enjoyed the oohs and ahs about how beautifully wrapped our gifts were. I learned to tie a beautiful bow on traditional squared box when I worked one holiday season at Godiva Chocolates. And for years I enjoyed picking up wrapping paper and gift trimmings at the after Christmas sales. It didn't even matter whether or not I needed any. A few years ago I quit doing that, and I'm finally working down my supply. Now that I have four nieces and three nephews all under the age of 15, there's lots to wrap!

For a while, things were slowing down with the growing popularity of gift cards and the use of gift bags, and the lack of young children around. This year all the rolls came out for the little ones. (I even finished two of them.) My husband insists the young kids get gift wrap, not bags. "The whole fun of it when your a kid," he says, "is tearing open the packages." So a wrapping I have been.

When I got to the last gift, which just happened to be for my (almost) three-year-old niece, Natalie, I was particularly proud of my wrapping job. I don't think I have ever had a box wrap with such perfection- the angles, the creases. It was so satisfying. It was just like the ones you see in photos and on TV. Lucky Natalie!

And lucky me, for being so blessed this holiday season with a loving and growing family. Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah to all who celebrate this joyous season!