Coming Home Magazine

There's something about a thoughtfully wrapped gift that enhances its significance. The expert-like folds, the specially curated bow, the unassuming embellishments—it's the little details that make a big difference. For Christine Napierkowski, professional gift wrapper and owner of Perfectly Packaged Gifts, it's all in a day's work. Here, she unravels how she turns every present into a masterpiece. 1 . How did you get into the world of gift wrapping? I've always been crafty—I can't count the number of crafting hobbies I've rotated through. As a teenager, I was officially designated the family gift wrapper, and I guess the rest is history! A few years ago, a friend was overwhelmed wrapping gifts and jokingly said she'd love to outsource. I had a lightbulb moment, and Perfectly Packaged Gifts was born. 2 . Can you walk us through your gift-wrapping process step-by-step? I ask my clients to complete an intake form telling me about the gift recipient and occasion. I'll share gift wrap and ribbon options, but they usually leave the choice to me. The next step is to schedule drop-off and pick-up. Once I have the gift in hand, I'll measure to ensure the pattern placement will work. My favorite part is assembling the bow and creating a gift tag. I've started using my Cricut to make custom gift tags, and it's been a game-changer! 3 . What's the best thing about being a gift wrapper during the holidays? The holiday season is so special and so stressful at the same time. I truly enjoy what I do, but gift wrapping during this busy season isn't for the faint of heart. The highlight for me is watching clients exhale with relief when they pick up their beautifully wrapped gifts. 4 . What's the most memorable gift you've wrapped for someone? Most challenging? The most memorable gifts I've wrapped were for newlyweds—from a husband to his wife. He reached out because he was a self-proclaimed "terrible gift wrapper" and wanted everything to look great under their first Christmas tree. After he told me about her and their honeymoon destination, we picked the perfect paper. It was evident that he put so much thought into her gifts, and it was a joy to bring his vision to life. The most challenging? A tie between a television and a hockey stick. When I wrap a gift, I'll do almost anything for the pattern on the paper to line up seamlessly. Much to my dismay, that was impossible on the hockey stick, but I managed to make it work on the television. I needed a long soak in the tub and an anti-inflammatory after that! 5 . What tools do you use to achieve professionally wrapped perfection? I'm very particular about scissors and tape. I cannot overstate how important good scissors are! My kids tease me because I have strict rules about paper scissors vs. ribbon scissors. And depending on the package, I'll alternate between double-sided tape, a Tombow tape runner, or 3M gift wrap tape for the cleanest edges. I always have a bone folder, ruler, and calligraphy tools nearby, too. 6 . What's one gift wrapping trend or practice you love? One you could do without? How about one that's both? I equally love and loathe some of the complex folding and pleating techniques I've seen in my social media feed lately. They're gorgeous, but each time I try them on my own, I'm so critical and get frustrated when the measurements don't work out just right! I've also seen fabulous presentations with lots of embellishments and bling. 7 . Tell us about your stance on gift bags—convenient shortcuts or cop-outs? There's definitely a place for gift bags, especially if you're in a hurry. I don't generally use commercially available bags for my clients, but I'll make a bag if the gift doesn't fit into a box or come in its own packaging. A bout Perfectly Packaged Gifts Perfectly Packaged Gifts is a luxury gift wrap company serving Austin, Texas, and the surrounding areas. With a mission to make moments memorable, one beautifully gift-wrapped package at a time, owner Christine Napierkowski and her team can help ease your stress. Available year-round, reach out to Perfectly Packaged Gifts for expert gift wrapping for any celebration at www.perfectlypackagedgifts.com. COMING HOME MAGAZINE 7

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