People insist on getting gifts. There’s no changing their minds. They have birthdays, weddings, and special days to honor roles of Mother and Father. In any calendar year you’ll also be faced with housewarmings, a christening or two, innumerable showers, get-well situations, and yes, the horrors of Valentine’s Day.
The present part isn’t so bad. But the wrapping and card part adds two extra steps. Here’s how to get it done fast when there’s nothing in the house.
Instant wrapping paper:
Glossy magazine pages. Choose for color and pattern and tear neatly at magazine seam. Tape as many sheets together as you need. Four pages wraps the average trade paper back. Use tape liberally.
Instant ribbon:
Yarn, saran wrap, twine
Instant card:
Postcard. Sign best wishes with casual flair. Poke hole in one corner with a sharp knife and thread through ersatz “ribbon.” Adds color and measure of cool.
What you need on hand:
- A book of interesting, perhaps somewhat odd postcards from the bookstore
- Twine or yarn
- Big, glossy magazine (Interview for particularly nice acreage)
- Scotch tape
