Christmas cards and gift wrap - how choosy are you?

[Whohashiddenthebiscuits]

Not sure this really belongs in this section but..

It’s a bit early to be buying (well, I won’t be yet!) Christmas cards and wrapping paper but I’ve just been browsing through some Christmas cards from an email promo link. I didn’t like any of them and typically do spend ages choosing cards and wrapping paper (I like recycled paper, great design and something that looks like thought has gone into it). I might buy rolls for kids presents (& I’m still picky over that) but the rest tends to be sheets.

DH thinks it’s an absolute waste of money & that people really pay no attention whatsoever! I think he’s probably absolutely right.. but I care and after he bought a box of black sparkly cards with a purple bow on them, banned him buying any of this stuff!

Anyone else really annal about this too? I always sort out the cards into piles too before writing them, family we don’t really like & old friends we never see any more getting the smaller and not quite as nice ones!

I’m really fussy about this too, and I definitely appreciate being given beautiful cards or presents wrapped in beautiful paper.
I always get charity cards but there is still a good choice.
I’m starting to think twice about certain papers though (non recyclable, foil wrapped, things with glitter) for environment reasons so that will limit my choices this year. Brown paper with string and a lovely gift tag can look pretty though.

I'm with your DH, don't pay much attention, just appreciate it when people use recyclable paper and cards as that's where it all ends up.

I now use brown paper, and reusable fabric or twine ribbon (which I try to gather up for reuse another year after people have unwrapped). This year I might by an ink stamp or two to decorate the paper just a little.

I do appreciate a nicely wrapped gift, I make an effort myself but not to the degree I used to. It can get expensive. I often buy bits in the January sales

I'm choosy about cards but not so bothered about wrapping paper as it only lasts seconds anyway. As long as it looks ok under the tree.

I curate a theme every year, often adding in handmade components.

I’m not choosy at all, I buy whatever is 10p a roll in the supermarkets in January 😂 and even then I still feel resentful about the time I spend wrapping only for it all to end up on the floor within minutes 😂

I usually buy charity cards from one of the cancer charities.

I am VERY particular about gift presentation and have become somewhat renowned for it in my family and circle of friends.

I'm arty/craft and like things to be "just so". This year I've bought some wood slices which I'm going to use as gift tags (with a photo of the person on there) and they can be reused by the recipient as tree decorations.

I have always made an effort however I've come to the conclusion that nobody makes any effort wrapping my gifts therefore I'm going to buy a couple of cheaper rolls from the supermarket and whatever cards I see first while I'm there this year.

I love nice cards and wrapping paper, bit fussy actually!

I'm half and half, I love seeing piles of tacky mis-shapen presents under the tree (I have a massive family) but I also wrap with care and do it nicely.

One thing myself and my family always do is choose eco/recyclable/charity cards and paper - such an easy thing to do, but I'm always horrified how the shops are full of foil paper etc which can't be recycled

I Amazon presents to my sister and her family, and for DH and DD I use the gift bags we already have, and have done for several years. I don't have an yone else to buy for. The only present that I would need gift wrap for would be the Secret Santa at work, of which there was none last year.

Yes, within our own family we just re-use a huge pile of random coloured and sized giftbags which we have acquired over the years and only use wrapping paper for extended family and friends. I'm not a big fan of matchy presents under the tree, I prefer a riot of colours (and multi-coloured fairy lights).

Always make the most eco-friendly choice.

Which usually means reusing stuff from previous years.

I find overdressed presents under the tree a bit naff actually.

I don't put presents under the tree until Christmas Day because anyone could look into our living room and see them.

I'm choosy with cards for people my parents that mind about cards, and try to pick appropriate ones. For anyone else, as long as I think the cards are nice that's good enough. I've massively cut down on the cards I send over the last few years, I find them a real chore tbh.

As for wrapping paper, I'm not too bothered though I don't like the very cheap stuff that rips easily. I just use paper, I don't bother with bows and ribbons. I'm happy to reuse paper from last year if it's survived the unwrapping frenzy.

I used to spend a long time on wrapping gifts with lovely ribbons and beautiful paper etc. Then I decided to focus on environmental impact and now buy paper which is fully recyclable. It cuts back in my choices but I find I can still make the gifts look lovely

I'm very choosy but cards seem to be falling out of use so not sure I will buy these much longer. Which is a shame for the charities.

Presents I do agree it's better to get some kind of kraft paper as most other paper is not recyclable and as pp said it's just torn off and barely noticed. There is enough waste at xmas as it is.

Charity cards and recyclable paper only here.

I buy charity cards, usually RNLI or Hospice and buy cheap wrapping paper but put a bit of gift ribbon round.

I get recyclable but otherwise that's it. Just pick stuff I like the look of! The kids have a colour each to save labelling.

I’m extremely picky. I like it all to be just right conveying exactly the right mood and feel, and everything must go together nicely too - cards, wrapping, and gift bags have to have a cohesive overall theme.

I don't send cards anymore.
As for gift wrapping , I am what Michael McIntyre calls 'a glider'. I wrap presents very carefully and precisely I use gift tags, ribbons and decorations such as small pieces of holly, pine cones, baubles. I also tend to have a theme each year.
It does set my teeth on edge when presents aren't wrapped neatly. I know, I know.

Not fussy really - I buy cards & gift wrap in the January sales every year and put them away with the decorations, saves money & one less thing to do in Dec.

By the time it’s come round again I’ve usually forgotten what I picked up!

I used to be SO picky, now I worry less. I use cute paper for my DS, brown paper decorated with twine and cinnamon sticks for everyone else and I buy the Christmas cards DS designs in school as then the school get some funds too.