The Great Christmas Present Debate – Wrapped Gifts vs. Gift
Bags
Should Christmas presents by given in wrapping paper or
placed in a gift bag and covered with tissue paper? In our household – and perhaps
in yours as well – we are caught up in a debate to answer that eternal question.
Now, for some this should be an easy thing to discuss and reach a consensus,
but for others this rises to the level of the Jedi verses the Sith in the Star Wars films.
In my opinion wrapping a gift in Christmas paper is the way
to go. Wrapping a gift adds to its mystery, while also giving a tease as to
size and shape. While guessing is half the fun, not being certain is even better.
Sure, that large round object wrapped under the tree could a basketball, but it
could also be something else.
The gift bag is a relatively new phenomenon – as a boy I never
received one gift in a bag with wrapping paper. I am not sure when the trend
started, but around the time I was in college I encountered my first gift bag. The bag was rather large, had poinsettias all over it, and green and red
tissue paper sticking out of the top.
Well, someone might think this could be exciting, but not
knowing the shape or size of the contents felt disappointing to me. This
feeling became exacerbated when I actually delved into the bag and found
several folded shirts, a winter hat, pair of gloves, and at the bottom found a
box of slippers. While I liked all of these gifts from a dear relative,
something was missing.
It would have been much better if each of these items had
been wrapped separately. I would have been able to make an educated guess about
each one, but possibly be surprised as I ripped open the paper to see my gifts.
By plopping everything in one bag – while I know that was easier – I felt
cheated in some way.
Yes, gift bags make things much simpler for the giver. I have been
told – though I do not share this opinion – that the best part of gift bags is that
there is less garbage after the opening frenzy. Another perk of the gift bag is
that it is practical – the receiver gets to put the gift back inside the bag and
has a handy way to carry it home. No mess and practical should be a good thing, right?
While all these things sound good, they are an illusion
promoted by the sinister proponents of gift bags. The practicality of the gift
bag is its greatest liability. Opening presents becomes a rushed affair, and
seems to be over in a matter of minutes. Everyone can sit back comfortably in a
relatively neat room, sip their hot cocoa, and listen to the Christmas music.
It’s highly civilized and totally boring – just what those nefarious makers of gift bags no doubt intended.
Opening wrapped presents takes effort – especially when one
auntie liked to use a whole role of tape on each box. Trying to open a
present, and even having some difficulty in doing so, was almost as great a joy
as actually discovering what was hidden underneath that paper. I definitely
miss that heightened anticipation, as well as having the room look like a bomb
hit it with paper hanging from everything – even the tree! All bets are off during present
opening and pieces of paper are flung far and wide. This was great joy during my childhood and I want my kids to have the same experience.
So, this year my gifts are wrapped the traditional way –
and other people in this
Gift giving is part of what makes this season so joyous,
but I believe that wrapping a gift in paper, putting a label with the person’s
name on it, and even tying a little bow around it is as much a gift as what is
inside. That special effort of
Perhaps, as my kids get older, I will come around to this
gift bag idea, but for now I am certain that wrapped presents are the only way
to go. Even Santa is on my side, so I feel that makes my case.
Whatever way you are choosing to give presents this year,
I hope that you get as many wonderful things as you have given. I wish you all
the merriest of Christmases. Enjoy and happy gifting!
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