The art of gift wrapping

"Measure twice; cut once," said Cheryl Kounas, customer service manager at Younkers, Southern Hills Mall, and gift wrapper for the past three years.

It all begins with the gift itself. The biggest mistake people make is trying to wrap a gift in its own packaging, taking away the element of elegance, Kounas said.

"The best thing you can do is put the item in a box," she said. "And you want to make sure the item fits in the box and doesn't bulge the box."

This becomes a challenge with large items like comforters, Kounas noted.

"The bigger gifts are tougher because you have to find a box for them; sometimes, we make our own boxes," she said. "I think our biggest challenge was a good-sized popcorn popper with wheels."

But that doesn't always mean smaller is better, Kounas clarified.

"You don't want the recipient to guess it's jewelry because the box is so particular," she said. "We put jewelry in a bigger box, thus ensuring a bigger surprise."

Kounas treats expensive items differently as well.

"If it's breakable, you need to protect it," she said. "You might want to include shipping peanuts or newspaper to ensure the gift is safe until it's opened."

That is followed by the choice of wrapping paper. Good paper will last the "hiding" process and not tear as quickly. Kounas said customers prefer the traditional, seasonal colors of bright reds, green and rich golds, and many like patterned paper.

"The choice depends on the person and most aren't particular," she said. "If they insist on anything, it's insisting the wrapping is Christmasy."

The Younkers' wrappers tend to steer folks away from other choices, such as yellows, purples and wrapping with drawings of spring flowers, Kounas added.

"Silver wrapping with a silver bow is a rich look," she acknowledged. "But it's a bridal look."

Ribbon is not critical to a package, but it does provide a "finished" look, as does lining the item in tissue paper, Kounas said.

"All of our ribbon has wire in it to give it a stiff presentation," she pointed out. "You run the risk of smashing the ribbon if it doesn't have the wire."

Kounas acknowledged many people prefer purchasing a gift bag, lining it with tissue paper and calling it good.

"But where's the challenge and thought with that?" she questioned. "And kids in particular love to tear open packages. They love the sound and feel of doing that, as do adults. A gift bag is just not as nice a surprise on Christmas."

There is a $5 charge for Younkers' gift wrapping services. If an individual brings an item purchased elsewhere, the fee is $10, Kounas explained. Customers should allow wrappers at least 10 minutes, but when it gets busy, that could time element would increase.

"People don't balk at the charge," Kounas said. "They tell us they don't have time to do it or they don't do it well or they prefer the wrapping we have displayed.

"It really is an art that does take some investment of time," she added. "People realize that. I've had so many tell me, 'I could have never made it look like that!' when they pick up the package."