Wrapping Gifts with Fabric

Question:

Kids are very good at wanting to know the details, so you should always tell them the truth. Collecting the sacks is one of the elve’s jobs. Elves being the mischevious charaters that they are, go out on Holloween, dressed as witches, etc. Not being able to use the sleigh, they ride on broomsticks. They mingle with the children, and when no one is looking, grab the sacks to return them to Santa. They also collect chocolate and other goodies. When they get back to Santa’s village, Mrs. Claus goes through each of their Choco collections and keeps half. She learned to do that from reading rctn. This then gives her the stash of choco for when she sits on long winter evenings cross stitching, needlepointing, tating, etc. One of the elves told me about this. George "No harm will befall you, No desease shall touch your tent, For He will order His angels to guard you wherever you go. They will carry you in their hands lest you stumble on a rock…." Ninety-first Psalm

Response:

Kids are very good at wanting to know the details, so you should always tell them the truth. Collecting the sacks is one of the elve’s jobs. Elves [etc]

I had always wondered about those elves! This is somewhat tangential, but this reminded me of having to explain to the kids how the tooth fairy knew to come and what Santa knew what to bring and so on. So I told them the truth…that when you’re born the doctor gives your parents a list of phone numbers for the Tooth Fairy, Easter Bunny, and so on. —

Response:

Belinda, Thank you so much. I have been trying to figure out how to explain my knowledge to my daughter! says… – -Kids are very good at wanting to know the details, so you should always -tell them the truth. Collecting the sacks is one of the elve’s jobs. Elves – [etc] – -I had always wondered about those elves! – -This is somewhat tangential, but this reminded me of having to explain to the -kids how the tooth fairy knew to come and what Santa knew what to bring and -so on. So I told them the truth…that when you’re born the doctor gives your -parents a list of phone numbers for the Tooth Fairy, Easter Bunny, and so on. – — –

Response:

It seems unlikely to me that Europe would have adopted this custom from Japan. There just weren’t the close ties or relations that would foster it at the time.

I’m not sure exactly what "that time" is to which you refer, but I believe Europeans have been borrowing heavily and happily from Japanese culture for centuries. If I remember correctly, right alongside the neo-classical ("Georgian") fashion of 18th century England, "Japonisme" took root as well. (I come by this "knowledge"–if I’m remembering it rightly–by way of an 18th century English poetry class I took almost 10 years ago while in college, so if I’ve mangled the truth, please accept my apologies.) –Lora B., wishing she were still in school

Response:

belinda– i will have to remember that! katie is not yet three, so no questions….yet

Response:

: Kids are very good at wanting to know the details, so you should always : tell them the truth. Collecting the sacks is one of the elve’s jobs. Elves : being the mischevious charaters that they are, go out on Holloween, : dressed as witches, etc. Not being able to use the sleigh, they ride on : broomsticks. They mingle with the children, and when no one is looking, : grab the sacks to return them to Santa. They also collect chocolate and : other goodies. When they get back to Santa’s village, Mrs. Claus goes : through each of their Choco collections and keeps half. She learned to do : that from reading rctn. This then gives her the stash of choco for when : she sits on long winter evenings cross stitching, needlepointing, tating, : etc. One of the elves told me about this. The kids will have no trouble believing this. We have a "mommy tax" (on chocolate) in our house, too. Terri — Terri Carl (sometimes Steve, when she lets me use the account)

Response:

Hi All! Had to let you know what this "mom to four" did to lighten the task of wrapping "santa" presents. I made Santa Sacks! Since we don’t put out the presents from Santa till Christmas Eve, this worked out great. I just made large *very large* sacks out of christmas fabrics, used a drawstring tie (knotted for my very curious children) and let them dig in. Initially this was done to appease my environmentally conscious oldest daughter, but soon became a splendid timesaver for me. Sally in IN well this soon-to-be Mom to four (oh please please please make it SOON due date was today <G) decided a long time ago to NOT wrap the Santa presents. Kids get a stocking (made by Mom <G) in their rooms but may NOT go out by the tree until Mom & Dad get up. The unwrapped presents are from Santa, the rest are under the tree. Chris

Response:

The kids will have no trouble believing this. We have a "mommy tax" (on chocolate) in our house, too. Terri

My five year old told his older sister that Mom can have his chocolate because she bought the Halloween candy. Cynthia

Response:

Hi everyone, Just had to add my 2 cents worth here to Kim’s post below. I also do "Santa sacks", but with a little twist. I have sacks for my nieces and have done a "cross-stitch band" for each bag, on it, in back-stitch lettering, I put, "To "name" love from Uncle Gordie, Aunty Linda, Chris and Mark XOXO" there is also a little cross-stitched Santa on each. I do the stitching on a band of aida or whatever fabric you prefer, back it with iron-on interfacing, turn under approx. 4 to 6 rows of fabric, leaving some area of fabric around the design, insert some lace, piping or ric rac and top-stitch through all the layers. Then put the bag together. I collect up the bags after they open their gifts and each year they get their gift in the same bag. It’s really neat how they look under the tree for their bag. I also have some "generic" stitched bags too, that look festive under the tree and just pin a name-tag on them. This year we will have a "new kitten" to celebrate with should be an Take care, Linda :) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi All! Had to let you know what this "mom to four" did to lighten the task of wrapping "santa" presents. I made Santa Sacks! Since we don’t put out the presents from Santa till Christmas Eve, this worked out great. I just made large *very large* sacks out of christmas fabrics, used a drawstring tie (knotted for my very curious children) and let them dig in. Initially this was done to appease my environmentally conscious oldest daughter, but soon became a splendid timesaver for me. Sally in IN This is such a wonderful idea! It also solves a "problem" I’ve had for some time now. I have three cats and they all try to eat the bows and ribbons on gifts. For a few years now our gifts have looked rather bland under the Christmas tree. Not this year! Thanks for passing on a great idea and, as you mentioned, they are reuseable! -Kim

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi All! Had to let you know what this "mom to four" did to lighten the task of wrapping "santa" presents. I made Santa Sacks! Since we don’t put out the presents from Santa till Christmas Eve, this worked out great. I just made large *very large* sacks out of christmas fabrics, used a drawstring tie (knotted for my very curious children) and let them dig in. Initially this was done to appease my environmentally conscious oldest daughter, but soon became a splendid timesaver for me. Sally in IN well this soon-to-be Mom to four (oh please please please make it SOON due date was today <G) decided a long time ago to NOT wrap the Santa presents. Kids get a stocking (made by Mom <G) in their rooms but may NOT go out by the tree until Mom & Dad get up. The unwrapped presents are from Santa, the rest are under the tree. Chris

We do this too, with the exception that the stockings are lined up on the couch. My mom never wrapped gifts from Santa, that’s why I do it that way. (Mom had 6 girls, BTW–Wonder why all those gifts weren’t wrapped!) Laurie

Response:

I have received several presents over the years that were wrapped in fabric. Usually they were lightly glued at a few points (sobo fabric glue would probably do the trick) and then held together with fabric ribbon or lace tied in bows. I’ve also seen baby shower presents wrapped in receiving blankets and tied with fancy ribbons. Angela

Response:

I do something like this in that I use remnants, fat quarters, and scraps to make little bags which I use to wrap my presents in. Then, when the person is using the present, they also have a little bag to reuse. This is especially nice if I am giving the person jewelry. I try to make those bags out of satin (remnants are $.05/inch at JoAnn’s so I can get an assortment of colors especially around the holidays and prom time). Then, the person has a place to keep the jewelry all year round. Ann Some time ago I remember seeing a discussion on the use of fabric to wrap presents. I think it was said to have its origin in Japan. It’s a wonderful idea for the holidays. Does anyone have any information on this? Is the wrappng sewed, pasted,tied? Is there a reference? Thanks for any help. Kathy

Opinions expressed herein are my own and may not represent those of my employer.

Response:

Hi All! Had to let you know what this "mom to four" did to lighten the task of wrapping "santa" presents. I made Santa Sacks! Since we don’t put out the presents from Santa till Christmas Eve, this worked out great. I just made large *very large* sacks out of christmas fabrics, used a drawstring tie (knotted for my very curious children) and let them dig in. Initially this was done to appease my environmentally conscious oldest daughter, but soon became a splendid timesaver for me. Sally in IN Some time ago I remember seeing a discussion on the use of fabric to wrap presents. I think it was said to have its origin in Japan. It’s a wonderful idea for the holidays. Does anyone have any information on this? Is the wrappng sewed, pasted,tied? Is there a reference? I have received several presents over the years that were wrapped in

fabric. Usually they were lightly glued at a few points (sobo fabric glue would probably do the trick) and then

held together with fabric ribbon or lace tied in bows. I’ve also seen baby shower presents wrapped in

receiving blankets and tied with fancy – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – ribbons. Angela

Response:

Some time ago I remember seeing a discussion on the use of fabric to wrap presents. I think it was said to have its origin in Japan. It’s a wonderful idea for the holidays. Does anyone have any information on this? Is the wrappng sewed, pasted,tied? Is there a reference? I have received several presents over the years that were wrapped in fabric. Usually they were lightly glued at a few points (sobo fabric glue would probably do the trick) and then held together with fabric ribbon or lace tied in bows. I’ve also seen baby shower presents wrapped in receiving blankets and tied with fancy ribbons. Angela

I usually wrap baby gifts in receiving blankets and hold them in place with diaper pins. Now that cloth diapers are back "in" with a lot of new families this makes a handy "use it all" gift. I have also wrapped bridal shower gifts with tea towels. Seems less wasteful, somehow. — The Norse Hedgehog, Sandy _// _//

Response:

This is a wonderful idea! Did you use the same sack for each child each year? Did they notice? How did you explain how the sack got back to Santa? (These details are important! Kids are entirely too bright for their own good.) — Karin "Outside of a dog, a book is man’s best friend. Inside of a dog, it’s too dark to read." – Groucho Marx

Response:

This is such a wonderful idea! It also solves a "problem" I’ve had for some time now. I have three cats and they all try to eat the bows and ribbons on gifts. For a few years now our gifts have looked rather bland under the Christmas tree. Not this year! Thanks for passing on a great idea and, as you mentioned, they are reuseable! -Kim

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi All! Had to let you know what this "mom to four" did to lighten the task of wrapping "santa" presents. I made Santa Sacks! Since we don’t put out the presents from Santa till Christmas Eve, this worked out great. I just made large *very large* sacks out of christmas fabrics, used a drawstring tie (knotted for my very curious children) and let them dig in. Initially this was done to appease my environmentally conscious oldest daughter, but soon became a splendid timesaver for me. Sally in IN Some time ago I remember seeing a discussion on the use of fabric to wrap presents. I think it was said to have its origin in Japan. It’s a wonderful idea for the holidays. Does anyone have any information on this? Is the wrappng sewed, pasted,tied? Is there a reference? I have received several presents over the years that were wrapped in fabric. Usually they were lightly glued at a few points (sobo fabric glue would probably do the trick) and then held together with fabric ribbon or lace tied in bows. I’ve also seen baby shower presents wrapped in receiving blankets and tied with fancy ribbons. Angela

I’ve started making a stash of fabric bags, too. Partly because my poor husband hates wrapping presents. This way, he can just tuck the gift in a bag, tie a cord or ribbon around the top, and he’s done. I’ve made them all lined, with loops in the side seam to hold the tie in place. So far, I’ve got quilted gold lame, lined with cranberry red, and a deep cranberry with gold print, lined with off-white. I made them in various sizes. You can cut strips of fabric and lining and do the whole top seam, then cut into sections for bags (sort of production-line assembly). I think they will look pretty under the tree, too. — Susan Cassidy

Response:

: Some time ago I remember seeing a discussion on the use of fabric to wrap : presents. I think it was said to have its origin in Japan. It’s a wonderful : idea for the holidays. Does anyone have any information on this? Is the : wrappng sewed, pasted,tied? Is there a reference? : Thanks for any help. : Kathy Kathy, I have seen several ways, and my auntie uses a scarf to tie presents. She wraps them and ties the corners into knots on the top. She told me in Japan (our families originate in Japan – can’t tell by my last name) they do that as wrapping. I gave her a scarf one time that she uses as a pot-luck dish carrier by tying it that way. I have seen fabric covered boxes, using glue or hot glue. You can also decorate them with doilies and lace and wire-edged ribbon. They are very pretty. You can make them like the "movie boxes" where the top is decorated separate from the bottom and is re-useable. I have also wrapped baby gifts in receiving blankets or bath towels. What I do for bows is fold baby washcloths accordian style and tie in the center with ribbon to make rosettes or flowers. Then I pin them on with diaper pins. Use your imagination. It’s fun and recyclable wrapping. kellee

Response:

I think this idea probably occurred to different people independently. My understanding was Europeans got it from the Ottoman Empire, where gifts were always given wrapped in an embroidered linen, cotton, or silk towel. I’ve read that these towels (no, not Turkish bath towels! these were smaller) were plentiful and common in Turkish homes around the turn of the century. Of course, *where* I’ve read that escapes me….. :^( It seems unlikely to me that Europe would have adopted this custom from Japan. There just weren’t the close ties or relations that would foster it at the time. Joe

Response:

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