I Am This Woman

(This entry was chosen as a “Best of Holidailies.” Thanks!)

Wrapping gifts is a lost art.

I learned it during one weekend of working the gift wrap desk at a major department store when I was in high school. I didn’t get paid, but my mother worked there, and one day I was hanging out and someone grabbed me and put me to work. Totally against the law but I looked 18 when I was 14, so it worked out.

That is where I learned to turn a perfect corner, fold over the rough edges, hold the scissors just right (if they are sharp enough) to get a clean swift cut. The wrap desk had 17 demo packages on the wall. Customers got free wrapping (back in The Day) for Nos. 1-10, Nos. 11-17 were an extra $4.00, UNLESS the item wouldn’t fit into one of our boxes with Joske’s tastefully written on it. Then there was a $5.99 charge. No. 15, 16, 17 were the holiday wrap. I spent most of the weekend in 15, 16, 17 land, with the infrequent baby shower (was that No. 6?) and a couple of birthdays.

There is a certain Zen to gauging how much paper to use, getting the tape just right, turning a lumpy sweater and a matching pair of gloves into a perfect rectilinear gold embossed and beribboned box. Someone’s niece, daughter, nephew or sweetheart would rip into my artwork on Christmas morning and feel like a million bucks. If it can fit in a box or comes in a suitable container of its own, I can make it look beautiful.

I take great care in wrapping. I am rarely given presents that are wrapped. That’s the way it is with moms, really. Last year, I got the most perfect ring ever, wrapped by 11 yr old hands, bought with a gift card, in secret. It was possibly the best present I’ve ever been given, though I remember something silvery and purple from Mr. K a long time ago, that made me cry.

Sorry, Amazon, but the wrapping you provide is barely adequate. It would cut into the profits to do it right, I guess. There are some folks you have to ship prezzies to, so I hope the whole excitement of getting a package and then wondering about it — it’s so light! it’s huge! who do I know in Minnesota? — adds to the mystery.

That is what this season is all about, isn’t it? The mystery? Aren’t we all about mystifying things? (more on that subject tomorrow). And isn’t wrapping our gifts the very essence of that mystery?

So, go ahead, wrap it! get a bow and a label! say “To Janie From Santa/Your Biggest Fan/Aunt Minnie” and hold out some mystery, in addition to the awesome socks you made for Janie.