It looks perfect to me. I'll get my gift wrap out and you can do mine too! I especially like the fact that the paper isn't necessarily Christmas - no Santas, no holly, just a classic white dot on red.

Thank you Marie! The only other presents I've specially wrapped, but kid friendly, are those for my grandchildren.

It seems like I've been wrapping forever, but I do like doing it. I'm almost finished so I can sit back and enjoy the holidays.

It's pretty, especially in the little vignette you created, but what happened to your idea of the grandchildren coloring the wrapping paper? I was looking forward to that one.

Great Idea! (And a beautiful present!)

Mind if I steal the idea? We have a Christmas cook-off for dinner, and a Dirty Santa gift exchange. It'd fit in perfectly...

Oly, I was going to do the coloring paper but I've had pinkeye the past week and a half and I can't be around him. :(

Sweeby, go right ahead! My DIL will win anyway, she is sooo crafty!

Oakley, pretty presentation! Who decides who wins?

Olychick, I bought a set of velvet flannels from The Company Store on your recommendation a few months ago. It's just now turning cold here, so this morning I washed them and put them on the bed. Can't wait to crawl in tonight. They're so soft!

Oh, and looks like you opened a Pandora's box on the CF, lol. Same people with the same agenda. So predictable.

I think the gift looks great. My gifts get wrap and rarely so much as a bow. Lovely, but you have to consider that I am happy with a stick-on bow (so long as it hasn't been smashed, LOL).

Since your wrap job is so nice, I really wouldn't start over. I would be very surprised if you didn't win.

I'm in total awe of how organized you are to have presents actually wrapped. I've yet to purchase most of my gifts, oye, I need to get moving.

Seriously, it looks great.

Work, loved your voice of reason over there. Unfortunately, it'll fall on deaf ears of those who need to hear it most.

OT - natal - hehe couldn't help myself, wanted to see what all the fuss was about. Is that the standard operating procedure? If yes, well then, wow - more like get over yourself. If you enjoyed my first post, you may like my follow up which will more than likely be pulled by the morning. Gosh, wasn't Lady Gaga just at the White House to talk about what to do about eradicating bullying?

Sorry to hijack oakley, where the heck are you? You should be reading all of the compliments on your gift wrapping. If possible, do you think there's time for me to buy & send all of my X-mas gifts to you for you to work your magic? My friends and relatives rarely experience anything wrapped as nicely as your gorgeously wrapped present, from me. Their reactions would be priceless, and would most definitely be camera worthy. LOL

I hope you haven't started over!

Bullying is so apropos. I just read the thread again and saved it knowing someone will probably complain and it'll be pulled. I applaud you for standing up to the queen of mean! More people should have the cahones to do the same.

Oakley, please don't get upset that we used your thread to talk about other things. Just seemed foolish to start another.

I loved your post too, work! I was cheering you on in my mind.

Oakley, your wrapping is great! I can't think of anything that would improve it- it's perfect.

meant to say "posts". I especially enjoyed the second one :)

Work, you may have started something. More strong voices popping up. It's about time!

You still have pink eye? I hope you're done with that soon!

It looks very, very nice Oakley. I always hate to take the package apart when it looks so pretty!

When I was 15 my best friend gave me my first "special wrap" present. She actually wrapped/decorated the top and bottom of the box so it wasn't destroyed when opened. Over the years that's how gifts came from her and I actually kept three of boxes because they're so neat. Ha, now I'm not saying unwrap that and do the same! Hope you win!

Oakley, sorry about you not getting to be with your grandson..save that idea for next year. And sorry this is ot from your beautiful wrap..Natal, I LOVE getting into those sheets at night. I kept them on all summer, because I just couldn't give them up. Hope you enjoy them. Oh, and the cf? WOW!

oakley, your gift looks perfect but if your DIL shows originality, I can see that she wins all the time; will you show us pictures of the winning wrapper ?

Second on mitch's request for a pic. Can you photograph all of the gifts for us to see? I think the idea is really a fun one, and would love to see the ideas in the event I can get my family going on this game. Hands down my DM would win at this point. We're all together on X-Mas Eve, so it may work. When do you actually exchange, on Christmas or before.

Do you set a limit on the gift inside? What are you giving that is wrapped? I don't think anyone asked what's inside?

Oakley - you've inspired me. We had heavy rain all day yesterday so I decided to stay home and started wrapping gifts. None of them are as attractive as the one you posted but they're an improvement over what I normally do. I don't buy holiday themed paper that can only be used at Christmas because I hate storing the leftovers for another year. But I do look for both solids and prints that fit the holiday - reds, greens, gold, silver etc. I pulled out my ribbons, bows, floral picks and some ornaments that I didn't use on the tree.

She actually wrapped/decorated the top and bottom of the box so it wasn't destroyed when opened.

In my family we call that Hollywood wrapped - because gifts on tv & movies are almost always done that way. My nephew was the first to do that when he was only about 10. That box made the rounds for a few years until it got too shabby.

Oakley,
I agree with the others, please get a picture of all the gifts in your contest. Yours is very nice and if it isn't the winner I want to see the competition.

I'm here! Thanks for the great compliments! I'll try to remember to take pictures of all the gifts. The men do the judging but they were invited to join the contest. Actually I think the men should have their own contest on wrapping. What a sight to behold! lol

I have 8 people to shop for and we always give multiple gifts. So I start my shopping back in September because it takes forever to decide.

I've been following that other thread. Wow. It sure was an eye opener!

Poor Oly! lol

I like the idea of having wrapping paper that isn't specific to the occasion but can be adapted with ribbons. Oakley, your package is beautiful. What's inside?

I threw in my 2 cents on the other thread, something I don't normally do. Tis the season to be jolly.

Natesgram, there's a victorian lady night light inside. She's about 7" or 8" tall, so she's meant to sit on a table. I almost kept it for myself. :)

Actually the paper is Christmas paper. I just happened to have the checked ribbon here, along with the other stuff.

What's going to be funny is who ever opens the gift is going to have a heck of a time becuase the whole center is super glued! lol

I'm going to sneak in this question since we're doing a little off topic. ;) Can anyone tell me why the C&H forum only has a handful of posters? I love looking at other's Christmas decortions but it doesn't seem any newbies go there.

That is really lovely! How do you come up with your ideas?

Hey, not fair discussing another forum thread without a link!
;)

Terriks, Cooking forum, question about posting recipe etiquette posted by me. Going viral takes on a whole new meaning for me.

terriks, it took me awhile to figure out the forum they were talking about. Kudos to Work, though. lol. The forum I'm talking about is the Christmas & Holiday forum.

From Natal: "Just seemed foolish to start another."

What are you talking about?

I came here right after reading Olychick's post on the CF. Had also just put new sheets on the bed (recommended by her). Guess I could have dug up the old sheets thread, but didn't feel like searching for it. Since she had already posted here I was hoping it wouldn't be an issue.

And regarding those sheets ... what a treat! I'm really going to love it if they don't pill.

Oakley - natal was referring to my OT comment about the hijinks over on the CF. I didn't mean in any way to take away from this thread, so I believe natal meant it would be foolish to start another thread to discuss what's going on over there on CF.

Now, about the Victorian lady. Is she ceramic, painted, or like the Lladro pieces? I have a Lladro Victorian bride & groom that the gals in my office gave me at my bridal shower oh so long ago. The bakery included the piece on the top of our wedding cake. I have kept it in the DR breakfront all of these years because of the sentimental attachment to the gift from such great friends.

I think you're going to win the contest, so no worries about having to give away the gift you'd love for your own home. I am trying to convince the gals in our family to do this holiday wrapping contest. The problem is, I am the most challenged at the wrapping, so they all think I have lost my mind. LOL Wow, I just re-read and realized you said the men do the judging. How does that work? My DH would not have a clue. He is so used to seeing my abismal attempts, that anything with even a decent homemade bow would seem extravagant to him.

Can't wait to see the pics of what all of the creative women in your group come up with. I know everyone would love to see what you're up against. You mentioned that you buy for 8, but how many are competing, all 8? If so, do you wrap only one of your gifts for each person for the competition, or are all of the gifts subject to competition? Boy, talk about pressure.

As for the Holidays forum, I used to post over there fairly often. I just ran out of options with the table settings which were really popular over there back then. I don't know if they still do the table settings, since I've not been on the computer as much, I spend the time I am here on HD. DH would divorce me if I brought home so much as one more plate. Talk about enablers, those gals over on Holidays are so friendly and helpful, and their creativity is really inspiring. I love to set a nice table for holidays, but for everyday, not so much. I love to "visit" with each and every person over on Holidays, as it is such a pleasant and supportive group of women.

So glad you shared your family's tradition. It is nice to start traditions that can be passed down through the generations. I think the wrapping competition is one that male or female would enjoy.

Oh, I have no problem with the thread being hijacked, it's a lot more interesting than the present. lol.

I haven't held the lady in a while, but I think she's made of resin or a heavy plastic. She was pretty inexpensive I believe.

The husbands aren't supposed to know who decorated the giftws, but since I worked on mine in the kitchen when dh was home, he knows what it looks like. But I made him PROMISE me to be fair. I told him I'd take no offense if he didn't vote for me but if he honestly thinks mine is the best, then be honest. He said he would.

I dunno, my DIL and her sister are pretty crafty and have great imaginations but since I love them all it doesn't bother me if they win.

The Holiday forum. I agree the women are wonderful and very friendly, but most of it is still tablescaping with the occassional tree. Or someone will post a link to a decor on a blog.

I just wish it had more posters so I can see how THEY decorate, kwim?

I'm really interested in looking at Christmas vignettes which I am so lousy at doing! But I want to see what others have done, not from a blog. Call me picky. lol

Also, the few times I've asked questions about decorating certain items, I get one answer referring me to their "inspiration album." With hundreds of pictures it takes forever to wade through them all. I like when a poster post their own project so I can ask questions.

Here's the Victorian Woman Nightlight that's in the gift. They wouldn't let me copy the picture so here's the link.

If I don't win I might have to buy myself the light. I love nightlights!

Here is a link that might be useful: Night light

Here it is without clicking:

Thanks, Terriks! It's been in the box for a month so I haven't seen it in a while. She would look so lovely in the corner of the room. :)

Today we decided the men would have their own gift wrapping contest. LOL. This is going to be fun. The women will judge, and the winner will also get all the gifts.

Love that victorian lady nite lite. I can't blame you for wanting to have her for your own home. In the event you don't win, (which I think is unlikely because your present is beautifully decorated), I hope she will still be available to purchase another. I just went on the website to order one for my DM. The victorian lady matches my parents MBR/MB decor, and will definitely be a great accent to their MB while providing a bit of light for a late nite trip to the MB. You can't beat the price either.

I was wondering if you set a limit on spending for your exchange? We do a Yankee Swap on Christmas day before dinner. There is a $25 limit. It's been a hit, but we keep it to fun and the odd - off the beaten path-type gifts. The gifts have to be suitable for both a man or a woman. My DB is the best at finding the "fun" gifts. I am trying to give him a run for his money this year, lol. One year I wrapped a leopard snuggie, and that present was stolen several times. Why, I've no idea as I think I would trip and kill myself trying to walk in the snuggie. I think my DSIL eventually got the snuggie and she is a mere 5 ft. tall. I have 2 of my 3 swap gifts purchased for this year. Need an idea for the 3rd.

Wow, the guys doing a present decorating contest. Now that will be such fun to see. Make sure to take pics of all of the presents before they've been opened. I would love to see the creativity of those you're up against. I think you're not giving yourself enough credit. Your present looks great. Very pretty, and creative with the pretty paper, elegant ribbon and the berries and pic in the middle. Can't wait to hear about your contest results.

Work, we do the dirty santa, and a secret santa. Here's what I ordered from Amazon yesterday for the secret Santa. In fact, I ordered one for us too because we love rainbows, thanks to "Pollyanna." :)

This is a Rainbow Maker. It's solar powered and you hang it in a sunny window. Look how many people gave it good reviews. One lady said she bought her's for her cat. lol

Here is a link that might be useful: Rainbow Maker

I have a window with hanging crystals. Love seeing the rainbows spin around the room this time of year. I thought that was what you were talking about until I clicked the link.

I just yesterday ordered a pyramid shaped suncatcher (from amazon) that you fill with water- it will throw rainbows around the room too.

Oakley, you just gave me a great gift idea for my sister, who has two cats! I hadn't thought about cats liking it, but I'll bet they really do!

Nancy, they do enjoy it. I used to go in there and give the crystals a little spin when the cats were in a playful mood.

I have two crystals also, but the one I ordered spins automatically. With all the good ratings it has, it had best be good!

Nancy, can you give me the link to the suncatcher? I'm really into this stuff, along with small stained glass I can put in a sunny window or room.

natal- that's good to hear! I did order one for my sister.

oakley- I don't know how to do a link (duh) but try "rainbow water prism" in home & kitchen on amazon-

Oly, if you're still checking in on this thread ...

Saw Cynic's post about how to eliminate a large percentage of the wacky characters that pop up in posted recipes. I've found the best way to insure that no one has to see them is to post the recipe on the Test Forum first and make edits as needed. Takes a little more effort, but it's worth avoiding the aggravation.