Gift Wrap or Gift Bag? That is the Question...
By LifeGuru
@LifeGuru (922)
Canada
December 11, 2011 7:49am CST
I really need help deciding - okay, my husband-in-training and I need help deciding on whether we should wrap our gifts for people this Christmas or put them in gift bags. 
We both cannot decide since we are both stumped on this.
You see, I made cute little gift tags all personalized to suit our recipients' interests and favorite things. I do like them to have the chance to tear and shred through the wrapping... But then again, gift bags are more practical since they can put their Christmas loot inside if they do not have a stocking hanged up in the living room. But I heard gift bags (depends on where you're getting them) can be costly and same with gift wrap too. I still have some spare tissue paper lying around... But I haven't decided yet with which one we shall choose!
My brother is in on this gift wrapping thing too but my husband-in-training and I are mostly on the gift buying part. If you have any suggestions or ideas with gift wrapping a gift or putting it into a gift bag, please let us know! 
We both cannot decide since we are both stumped on this.
You see, I made cute little gift tags all personalized to suit our recipients' interests and favorite things. I do like them to have the chance to tear and shred through the wrapping... But then again, gift bags are more practical since they can put their Christmas loot inside if they do not have a stocking hanged up in the living room. But I heard gift bags (depends on where you're getting them) can be costly and same with gift wrap too. I still have some spare tissue paper lying around... But I haven't decided yet with which one we shall choose!
My brother is in on this gift wrapping thing too but my husband-in-training and I are mostly on the gift buying part. If you have any suggestions or ideas with gift wrapping a gift or putting it into a gift bag, please let us know! 1 person likes this
12 responses
@Pushhyarag2000 (1416)
• India
11 Dec 11
You see, it is all about being creative and yet not appearing to be cost conscious! Even if you were trying to o for an economical option of the two, you may try to appear to promote a cause or something at the same time as you present a gift. With this approach in mind, let's say you find some hand made paper bags [preferably by an NGO organization like CRY or some other] and make an USP [Unique Selling Point] of being conscious of the environment as well as care/concern for a cause. You may also try to stand out from the crowd: if every one is trying to simply gift wrap, you may project as one being an unique person. I have generally noticed people develop regard for such acts of making a distinct mark.
If using gift bags appears to be a good option when you consider relative merits & demerits, I suggest you go with the option of using gift bags!
@asyria51 (2861)
• United States
11 Dec 11
I let it be based on what the present is and who it is for. IF it is something easy to wrap, then I wrap it, because yes gift bags can be more expensive. But at the same time, we have made a family rule to re-use gift bags to A) save on the expense and B) save the environment.
I stock up the year before for gift wrap and bags, when they are on clearance after christmas.
@LifeGuru (922)
• Canada
11 Dec 11
Smart. There are maybe 3 items that are quite small... And I've got 4 boxes that I can stuff things in for the younglings. But I'd hate to risk them throwing out the cute gift tags I made for them since they throw out the boxes anyways. 
So I'm going to lean towards the gift bag thing and wrap some of them. 
@sender621 (14893)
• United States
12 Dec 11
I have always enjoyed giftwrapping presents for other people. The care you put into wrspping a gift can show that special someone just how much you care. sometimes a gift bag is a better idea when the item is difficult to wrap or you are pressed for time to wrap it. Either way the giver will know you feel about them.
@safety69 (592)
• Taiwan
11 Dec 11
You know both are a good and nice way to grap gifts, the bags are more expensive and easier to grap, the paper is a lot less expensive and takes more time. ahh I remember something , there are places that sell things per dozens You can go and buy dozen , it depends how many gifts you have to grap, they will give you a better price. You have to decide whats best for you. Have a good day and happy grapping.
@bjc66bjc (6730)
• United States
12 Dec 11
Hi LifeGuru, I use to put up a tree no smaller than 5 1/2 and
larger than 6 feet tall...When my children and grand children
were smaller. But now those days are OVER.....I now put up a
three feet table top tree..
But when I was using the larger tree it was always wrapped gifts.
All the gifts were wrapped ...But now that there is a smaller
tree everyone has their own large christmas bag...I stopped using
bows a long time ago but it seem so much easier for the family gifts.
But for my friends and neighbors, mailman. gabarage collectors,I still
wrap the gifts...especially if the present is relatively small..anything
large and bulky will still get the bag. enjoy your week....
@SuperSpiph (5)
• United States
12 Dec 11
What I do at home is wrap it if it's easy and bag it if it's not. If it's something that goes together I might wrap it and still put it in a bag. If I get bags I do try and reuse them but I also love going down the aisles to see what new, festive gift wrap or bags that are out.
@rogue13xmen13 (14402)
• United States
12 Dec 11
I say that it depends on the gift. If it is a gift that can easily be wrapped, then I say wrap it, but if it is a gift that cannot be easily wrapped, then you might want to bag it, or put it in a box that can be wrapped.
@_sketch_ (5742)
• United States
11 Dec 11
For me, it depends on what the gift is. Some things are easier to wrap, while others are easier to put in a bag. Sometimes your gift does not come with its own box and so you will need to buy or find one in order to wrap it, but with gift bags, you don't have such a problem. Gift bags do have advantages. They are easier and faster, and they don't leave a mess when you open them. Personally, I think that a wrapped gift looks prettier, but you can find some pretty cute gift bags as well. It is true that both options can end up costing about the same amount, but if you are looking to save money, dollar stores are a really great option.
@frontvisions101 (16043)
• Philippines
11 Dec 11
Gift wrapping takes time but gift bags (I'm assuming paper bags?) look cheap. I guess it'll depend on what gift you have. If it's in a large box, it's better to just wrap it up since putting it in a paper bag would not make it seem like a gift but an item you bought in a party store.
It also depends on who you're giving it to. If she cares about how her gifts are given, you should just wrap it, since wrapped gifts show more effort than bagged ones.
It also depends on who you're giving it to. If she cares about how her gifts are given, you should just wrap it, since wrapped gifts show more effort than bagged ones.
@yahnee (1243)
• Philippines
11 Dec 11
In view of the issues on global warming, I hope you can try the more eco-friendly ideas this Christmas. While I also still use the Christmas wrapping papers, you must have noticed the tremendous amount of waste that is accumulated after Christmas. I would like to give the idea of using the gift baskets for presents. There are the less expensive baskets made from the water hyacinth that used to float on the waters. These water plants are harvested and dried to be made into baskets. After Christmas, these baskets can be recycled into containers for trinkets, accessories or small items in the house. These water plants have become a danger to the waters because of their obstruction in the waterways so let us do do something to encourage the eco-friendly handicrafts that make use of these plants. While doing so, we also help care for the environment.
@pebblez8989 (321)
• United States
11 Dec 11
well i love to wrap up my gifts better because i have a big family and i would have to buy so many bags lol but i think if your trying not to spend that much then you should go with buying gift wrap. especially if you have a big family like me. but i think that both are nice.
