7/11/2007

A question for the ages

Please help settle an argument The Dude and I have been having for years.

When wrapping a present, do you tape the first fold of the paper to the object being wrapped? Assuming it is not a book or something with a surface which could be damaged that is.

I am a gift wrapping maestro with unparalled abilities to wrap a present with ease and perfection. All of my presents are aesthetically pleasing, regardless of the shape of the object. Give me a box, I'll wrap it like you've never seen before. Give me a hexagonal prism with spikes comign out of it, I'll do shit to that beyond your wildest dreams. That is, if I'm allowed to tape the first segment of the paper to the present.

The Dude's family have still not gotten used to this method, and constantly moan at me that they can't simply pull the present out of its wrapping. Yet, YET, they ask me to wrap presents for them. People, either you're with me or you're against me. Decide.

So, the eternal question remains begging - do you, or don't you do the first tape?

19 comments:

Nico said...

My method is to fold the paper around the present, and tape the paper to itself on top, then proceed to the sides. However, I certainly do not end up with professional-looking presents, so I wouldn't go by me!

Major Bedhead said...

I can't wrap for shit, so I'm no help at all. But yes, I usually tape the paper to the box, thus, in theory anyway, getting a taut wrap.

Anonymous said...

I do not and usually think it's a little weird when I open one up that is taped. But then I get over it.

I agree, they're either with you or against you. If it looks good, who cares?

Anonymous said...

I have to start wrapping my shit the day after Christmas, I'm so fucking anal retentive. Yes, I tape to the object, and I fold the edges so that they're not crooked or jagged. It's such a process for me that it takes forever.

erinberry said...

I don't tape the present itself - only paper to paper.

But hey, if you are the one doing the chore, you get to decide how it's done! Besides, who complains about getting a present, regardless of how it's wrapped? :)

Anonymous said...

I have to say, I am an awesome wrapper. (Ha! Geddit?) And i always tape the paper to the paper. If the gift is in a box, taping the paper to the box doesn't matter. But in my family, we give lots of books, some of them old and rare. I think if I ever saw paper taped to the cover of a book I'd probably flip right out. So I guess my answer is: only sometimes.

Anonymous said...

Nope. But I suck at wrapping. I let my wife do it. She wraps perfectly. When I asked her this question she said, "no, there's no need to."

Just sayin.

Unknown said...

Oh, tape it to the package. Without a doubt. What sort of present-wrapping heathens are they to think otherwise?

rockmama said...

I would say if the object in question is in a box, taping TO the box makes the rest of the wrapping infinitely easier. However, I generally don't tape directly to an object. I'm a fairly skilled wrapper and also perform ALL wrapping duties for family members so generally don't get any shit from anyone about how I do it.

PJ said...

I actually had to think about this one a bit before I answered, but yes, I do tape to the item. It makes for easier wrapping.

Who cares what they think/say, they're getting something aren't they?

Looking a gift (wrapping) horse in the mouth, wouldn't you say?

chris said...

I do not tape it to the object, just paper to paper, and I also can wrap gifts like a pro. I think its due to my grandmother paying me for years to wrap her gifts to 6 kids, inlaws, 16 grandchildren, etc. However, if they are asking you to wrap gifts, they have to accept what is "your way".

Anonymous said...

I do not tape the object, but as long as the object is not a book or similar easily marred, item, I would have no problem with doing so. I consider myself a highly skilled present wrapper as well--we should have an Innard Twin Wrap Off!

DD said...

THIS is an eternal argument? Where's the one about the toilet paper going under or over?

And who wraps presents anymore? Stick it in a gift bag and call it a day.

Shannon said...

I live to wrap gifts. I love it so I take a lot of pride in my wrapping skillz. More often than not, I will tape the paper to the package. But, like you said, if it will damage the surface of the gift I just tape paper to paper.

And anyway, why complain about it? If this is the biggest thing you have to argue about, you're lucky.

Anonymous said...

I tape the paper to the box, fold the paper edges inward so they are neat and crisp. I do this because I have OCD, anal retentiveness and can't stand the look of raw edges and shifty paper.

And also because that's what Martha would do.

Anonymous said...

Yes. No. Sometimes. It depends.

Eh. Mostly I just grab a gift bag and a handful of tissue paper.

A nicely wrapped present is a thing of beauty until the recipient falls upon it like a starving hyena, but a gift bag can be surreptitiously retrieved and used again and again.

electriclady said...

Tape. Always tape. (with aforementioned caveat of unless surface would be damaged.) And I fold over the edges to eliminate jagged edges. Sometimes I use a ruler to get a really nice crease.

I have also mastered the Martha Stewart "double bow" (one knot with four loops coming out of it) and have never had opportunity to brag about it until this very moment. So thanks!

Thalia said...

I am an excellent wrapper if I say so myself. Comes from my mum handing over most wrapping duties to me by the time I was 8, and I have A LOT of cousins. I would never dream of taping the paper to the present, unless it's some huge box and is going to need more than one piece of paper/roll of paper to get round it.

PiquantMolly said...

Nope, I don't tape paper to present. Just to other paper.

And frankly, I'm ashamed to know you.

Hee hee.