14th • HOLIDAY WRAPPING PARTY

A Christmas wrapping party transforms the sometimes tedious task of gift wrapping into a festive social event filled with creativity and fun. This gathering provides an opportunity for children to master gift-wrapping skills while enjoying the company of friends and family. Beyond the practical aspect of getting presents wrapped, it's a chance to create memories, share stories about gift choices, and build anticipation for the holidays in a collaborative environment.

SETTING UP A KID-FRIENDLY GIFT WRAPPING STATION

Creating a successful gift wrapping station for children requires thoughtful planning and organization to make the experience both educational and enjoyable.

1. SETTING UP THE SPACE: Choose a location with plenty of table space and good lighting. A dining room table works well, but consider setting up on the floor with cushions if you have multiple children – this gives them more space to spread out. Cover your wrapping surface with an old tablecloth or cardboard to protect it from scissor marks and tape residue. Create individual wrapping zones for each child with these essential supplies:

• A non-slip placemat or piece of felt as their designated wrapping space
• Child-safe scissors (pre-test to ensure they can cut wrapping paper effectively)
• Their own tape dispenser (weighted dispensers are best for young children)
• A ruler or measuring tool
• A pencil for marking paper
• A small box for collecting scraps and ribbons
• A personalized supply caddy for their tools

2. ORGANIZATION TIPS:  Set up a communal supply station in the center of the work area with:
- Different wrapping papers arranged in a cardboard box positioned vertically (like a file folder)
- Ribbons organized on a paper towel holder or dowel rod
- Bows sorted by color in clear containers
- Gift tags and markers in cups or organizers
- A "wrapping emergency kit" with extra tape, scissors, and supplies

3. TEACHING WRAPPING SKILLS: Break down wrapping into manageable steps:

  1. Start with simple box shapes and gradually progress to more challenging items.

  2. Teach the "measure twice, cut once" principle using hand spans for small children.

  3. Demonstrate the "hospital corner" fold technique using oversized paper first.

  4. Practice making crisp edges by running a ruler along the folds.

  5. Show how to check for exposed edges before taping.

4. CREATIVE LEARNING APPROACHES:  Make learning fun with these unique teaching methods:

  • "Paper Pilots Academy": Frame the learning experience as pilot training, with different "licenses" awarded for mastering various wrapping skills.

  • "Gift Wrapping Olympics": Create silly challenges like "Speed Wrapping" (with proper technique) or "Ribbon Relay".

  • "Mystery Box Challenge": Practice with empty boxes of increasing difficulty.

  • "Wrapping Paper Origami": Teach basic paper folding techniques using  wrapping paper scraps.

5. SAFETY & SUPERVISION:  Position yourself where you can observe all children while still giving them independence. For younger children (under 8), sit close enough to assist with scissors and demonstrate techniques. Older children can work more independently but should still be monitored for safety. Here are some practical tips for success:

  1. Pre-cut paper pieces for very young children, letting them focus on folding and taping.

  2. If kidsd struggle with single-sided tape, use double-sided tape for frustration-free securing.

  3. Keep a "practice box" handy for testing techniques.

  4. Create a "ribbon testing station" where kids can practice making different types of bows.

  5. Set up a "gift hospital" area where adults can help fix wrapping mishaps.

6. TIMING & BREAKS: Plan wrapping sessions in 30-45 minute blocks with structured breaks:

  • The "Ribbon Twirl Dance Break": Everyone stands up and spins with ribbons.

  • The "Paper Snowflake Challenge": Quick creative breaks making snowflakes from scraps.

  • The "Clean Sweep Game": Timed cleanup competitions between wrapping sessions.

7. PROBLEM SOLVING STRATEGIES: Teach children these helpful tricks:

  • How to salvage too-small pieces of paper by adding decorative strips.

  • Ways to hide mistakes with strategic bow placement.

  • Techniques for wrapping oddly-shaped gifts using multiple pieces.

  • Methods for creating custom gift bags from wrapping paper.

8. THE GRAND FINALE: Remember that perfection isn't the goal – building confidence and creating happy memories is what matters most. Each crooked corner and excessive tape strip represents a child learning and growing in their gift-giving journey.

End the wrapping session with a "Grand Finale Show and Tell" where each child presents their best-wrapped gift and shares what they learned. Consider creating simple certificates or badges acknowledging their new wrapping skills, perhaps with fun categories like "Most Creative Bow Maker" or "Master of Oddly-Shaped Packages."

By approaching gift wrapping as both an art and an adventure, you'll help children develop practical skills while creating cherished holiday memories. The key is maintaining a balance between structure and creativity, guidance and independence, learning and fun.

Mary Mayxmas activity ideas