We're under the wire. Are you ready? Do you have all your gifts purchased? Are they ready to go under the tree, or will you, like me, stay up wrapping until Santa's sack comes crashing down the chimney? Every year I vow to be done before Christmas and every year I'm not! I do like the hectic frenzy of last minute shopping. I love the pace and energy of it all. To me, it's when Christmas really starts to feel like Christmas. This year, due to schedules, events and activities, I've had to organize myself a bit more as there's no time for last minute shopping. I've got the kids on a tight leash and we've a busy, fun-filled weekend that includes baking for Santa and heading into New York to see The Grinch at The Paramount Theater and then over to see the tree at Rockefeller Center and of course the light show at Saks Fifth Avenue and all the magnificent holiday windows. My kitchen smells like holiday baking and The Polar Express is on the television. We had some big white, fluffy flurries earlier and I think we're finally starting to get in that Christmas spirit! On Monday the children head off to their father's for a few hours and I'll get to finish up my wrapping. Dare I say I'll be done before Santa and his reindeer land on our rooftop? I may just be!

Do you still have your wrapping left?
Below are some simple, elegant and creative ideas that I hope will inspire you!

brown paper packages tied up with string

via Holly Holderman

3 Step Method for Beautiful Gift Wrapping - Gift Wrapping Ideas | Creative Gift Wrapping | The Gifted Blog

via The Gifted

via Odessa May Society

via Inspiration for Home

via Olive Manna

via Olive Manna

via Flickr

Brown paper packages tied up with string :-) Holiday gift wrapping ideas! #craft #redandwhite #string #twine #stargarland #craft #DIY

via Bloggers

via Sijiles Blog

via Hello Naomi

via Our Little Box

via Not on the High Street

via Penny Paper Co

via Decorative Country Living

via Paperie

So, what do you say? Are you inspired? Are you ready to wrap it up?

Enjoy your weekend,

XOXO,

Jessica

I love the look of many packages together tied up with strings... especially when all the packages are uniform in color, style or theme. In the days before I had children I took such care to wrap each gift meticulously, with love and attention. The packages beneath my tree were less statements that there were gifts within, but seemed instead to be an extension of the tree and my holiday decor. Admittedly now, with never enough time to wrap, and three little ones who always get too much, wrapping has become more of a chore than a pleasant activity. These days it's more of a race against the clock in attempt to get everything done and hidden, and remove all evidence, before the children return. One day, I would like my tree to look as though it did before I had to rush... when I had the time to sit and wrap and relax at the end of the day with a glass or wine or warm cup of tea... when wrapping was fun and not a chore! Until then, I can still borrow from some of the clever ideas below!