Gift Wrapping Ideas

If you're tired of your gifts looking like everyone else's, put some creative thought to it. Gifts don't have to just be paper and ribbon that you bought at the store. Let some of these ideas inspire you.

* Name Tags - Instead of using name tags, use the front cover from leftover Christmas or other holidays. Just cut along the crease and glue or tape the card to the top of your wrapped package. Most designs have some unprinted space to allow you to write the name of the recipient and a short note.

* Decoration - Instead of using ribbons and bows, make the decoration part of the gift. Tie a bunch of cinnamon stick on top with ribbon. Tie your package with satin or velvet ribbon and let the ends of the ribbon flow down the package. Add a silk flower inserted in the knot of the bow. If your recipient likes to cook, tie wooden kitchen utensils in the bow. Your ribbon or wrapping paper could be replaced with a decorative kitchen towel.

* Festive boxes - For small items, buy small Chinese take out cartons, the ones that have a folded top and metal handle. Decorate the outside with brightly colored stickers of hearts, flower, or Christmas themes. Write the recipients name on the top flaps.

* Original Wrapping Paper - At the craft store, buy sponges that have been cut into shapes of flowers, sailboats, etc. Dip them in paint and press them onto plain white wrapping paper or Kraft colored paper. Your decoration can fit the gift or the recipients taste.

* Trimmings - Instead of using bows on every package, buy ornaments or small toys when they are on sale. Use these items that best fit your recipient's hobby or lifestyle and tie or glue them onto your package.

* Name Sacks - Sew up some red, blue, yellow, and green velvet squares into sacks. Turn down the top edge, sew in place to allow a small opening for a drawstring. Write the recipients name on the bag with glue and sprinkle the glue with glitter. Fill the sacks with candy or small toys. Use more string to wrap around the package and through the drawstring to secure the sacks.

Gold Rings Are Important Things

Gold is a precious metal that has been loved by women throughout the world.  It’s yellow color glitters brightly and is unparalleled in beauty.  Gold rings have been worn on the fingers for centuries.  Earlier, gold rings were simple hoops worn around the ring finger and thumb.

In Greece gold bands were worn.  In Rome, only people of military or civil rank were allowed to wear gold rings. Later, freeborn citizens were allowed to adorn gold rings.  The middle ages saw the advent of the gold engagement ring set with precious gemstones.   Gold rings marked a kings coronation and a gold seal ring with St. Peter in a fishing boat is given to every Pope and is destroyed after his death.

Gold rings made a complete transformation over time and now are found in a variety of shapes, sizes, and set with precious gemstones, which enhances their beauty.  Gold rings are now worn on every finger and are also decorated with enamel and stones.

Gold rings with intricate designs like netted and floral designs are more expensive than a plain one, as it involves a lot of time and workmanship to create such masterpieces.  The Victorian collection is said to one of the finest jewelry with detailed designing.

The gold engagement rings, wedding rings, memorial rings, mourning rings, and several others became the order of the day and fashionable.  The gold wedding rings that signify commitment were originally worn only by the woman, but now it has become common for both the bride and groom to wear them.

It helps to know a bit about gold before venturing to buy a gold ring.  As gold is considered to be a soft metal, it can lose shape easily.  For regular wear, a ring made from lower karat gold is advisable, and the rings that will be worn sparingly can be made with 24 karat gold, which is pure gold and is more expensive.   18 karat gold is made with 75% gold and 25% alloy, and this makes it stronger but less expensive.

For an engagement ring or a wedding ring, which need to be worn on a daily basis, it is practical to buy 14 karat gold rings, which are the most popular. Gold rings need to be washed with soap and warm water and dried properly before storing them in their original boxes.

Gold rings make perfect gifts for any occasion.  A single large sapphire set in gold brings a glint to the eye and so does a ring with three small diamonds set closely.  Most rich families hand down gold heirlooms on special occasions such as weddings.  There could be no better pleasure in life than slipping a beautiful gold ring on the finger of a beloved.