We all know that pre Christmas feeling of rising panic. We could wrap it up prettily and say smilingly that it’s all part of the the fun of the festive whirl, or we could be more down to earth and acknowledge it’s plain old ‘too much to do and not enough time to do it in’ or in more modern terms, ‘overwhelm’. Honesty with ourselves is always the best policy as once we admit something is difficult we can be proactive and put some things in place to change the situation. Preparing for Christmas can seem like an epic organisational task. Even for those of us who intentionally try to keep it low key, there is still rising anticipation from everyone around us as the activities and events increase and the day draws closer. There is also a desire on our part to celebrate and make the most of the opportunity to spend time with family and friends. We want to create an atmosphere which best nurtures relationships with love and gives space for fun and laughter. An exhausted and grumpy host/hostess does not really engender this atmosphere.
Given all this, are there some tasks which we can delegate to others? Many buy rather than make Christmas cakes and puddings, and sharing out the food preparation between those who are coming over the festive week is a good idea. Another task which, as owners of craft businesses, you could jump onto, is gift wrapping. How often have you been wrapping gifts late on Christmas Eve? And how often have you vowed never to do do this again, only to repeat it the following year?
For some, wrapping gifts is a pleasure and all part of the joy of giving, but for many it is an extra time consuming task and expense we could do without. So, as you consider marketing your stunning creations borne out of your own Christmas craft ideas, why not also consider advertising a gift wrap service?
Offering a gift wrap service could both boost your sales and promote your brand. For busy customers, it may well give your business an edge over similar ones. Customers tend to buy more if they know their gifts will be wrapped well and you can obviously charge for the service. You could also use the wrapping itself to enhance your brand; maybe with the colour scheme you use, by tucking a business card into the package or by adding a gift card in which your website is subtly displayed. A gift wrap service can also boost your customer satisfaction, attracting them back to your business in the future. It could lead to extra communication between yourself and your customers which, although time consuming, could be worth it for long term sales. For a bespoke service, you will probably offer a range of gift wrap colours and a personalised message on the accompanying card. As your Christmas craft ideas turn into stunning gifts, you want to give them as wide a marketing exposure as possible. Adding a gift wrapping service to your search engine terms should help this.
You could also consider promoting your local and environmental credentials.
You will need to think about the practicalities of wrapping. Are you going to use boxes or paper?
What type of ribbon and sealer will you use? Will you add any other decorative touches? Then there are gift cards; will you offer a choice of design and wording or go for a streamlined option?
You will need to weigh up your time as well as costings of the materials. Your products will also influence what packaging you opt for. Cosy winter woolies can be nestled safely in crisp wrapping paper, while more fragile items will certainly need bubble wrap and a stylish gift box. Once you have decided on your range of paper, boxes and accessories, bulk buying will keep your costs down.
Another aspect to consider, which would give your gift wrap service an edge over others, is to create an eco-friendly wrapping range. As we all endeavour to tread more lightly on our planet, while enjoying and delighting in its beauty, many people are aware of the environmental impact of Christmas. As crafting business owners, you are already ahead of major retailers in that you create locally made products, with ethically sourced raw materials where possible and with processes and procedures which have a much lower impact on the environment than big manufacturers would be able to achieve.
You could take this one step further by sourcing eco-friendly packaging. You would need to look for gift wrap which is FSC certified, recycled and plastic free. You could also look into plastic free tape options, as well as ribbon, twine or other accessories which are kind on our world. To add an extra flair of Christmas class, you could either source or make your own dried oranges, rosehips or other plant-based accessories. These are not only colourful and quintessentially Christmassy, but they are also completely biodegradable, offering guilt free, stylish gift presentation.
As creatives, why not let your Christmas craft ideas run wild and extend to some stylish packaging for your gorgeous gift collection. Your products are already totally unique, often sustainably made and have a longevity which mass produced counterparts may not. Gift wrapping will only add to their value, both financially and in terms of customer satisfaction. Learn how to tie ribbon with a flourish and create a sumptuous colour scheme for your wrapped gifts. While most of us can only dream of a stack of beautifully wrapped gifts as seen in popular festive movies, you can enable this to become a reality, with luxurious paper or gift boxes, elegant ribbons and thoughtful, themed accessories. So, whether you go for ribbon or twine, rustic brown paper or sophisticated tones of red or green, whether you tuck a candy cane, a bell or a spray of evergreen with a deliciously fragranced dried orange slice onto the top, you can be sure your gifts will be remembered as the best dressed at the party!
