Holiday Head Start
Like I said in yesterday’s amazing kickoff to my holiday coverage – I’m bringing you 50 days of holiday gift idea coverage. Today however, I thought I’d take a step back from the gifts themselves and take a look at greeting cards and gift wrap ideas – the type of things you may spontaneously buy while traversing the aisles of your grocery store or if you’re more committed, may scope out at your local giftware shop. Today I’ve rounded up six of my favourite creative ideas for the season when it comes to greetings and wrap so you can get that holiday prep out of the way.
SUCK UK Raunchy Wrapping Paper – $14.37 @ Amazon.ca
Got a squeamish aunt to shop for? A best friend you want to make smile? A sibling you want to embarrass? Then pick up one of these supersized sheets of cheeky wrapping paper – it’s all pretty, festive stripes on one side, and cheesecake, half-naked dudes on the other. For the record, this paper also comes in a ladies’ edition, although the guys one just has to be funnier – whether gifting it to a guy or a girl. Or if you’re feeling really daring, just eschew the fake regular wrap altogether and let the guy collage sit tantalizingly under the tree.
Printstagram – $25 for 24-36 Custom Cards
I know that photo cards aren’t exactly the world’s most amazing innovation – we’ve all received posed photos of our relatives with wordart seasonal greetings slapped on top. But for those looking for a slightly hipper take on the photo greeting card gambit, consider checking out Printstagr.am, a print shop created by Instagrammers that will take your favourite wintery, softly filtered photo and slap it onto a card of your choice. Available in three different sizes with international shipping, it’s a minimalist way to send your heartfelt wishes this holiday season.
Custom Kraft Wrapping Paper – From $39 / Roll @ Jukebox Print
Wrapping paper is beautiful – but most of it is non-recyclable (that being said, check your city’s advisories as many are making efforts to find ways to dispose of the shiny stuff in an eco-friendly manner). Kraft paper is genius because it IS recyclable, and is often made from recycled materials. It also gives your gifts a cute, DIY feel. Jukebox Print is technically a commercial printer, but you can work with them on creating a custom roll in ivory kraft or traditional brown kraft for your family’s use. If you’ve got a budding graphic designer in the family, have them create a festive print – or just design a custom monogram for your family this season. Your gifts will seriously stand out and you won’t feel any guilt once they’re unwrapped. Genius.
Up With Paper Pop Up Cards – $5.99 each
Your greeting cards will make a serious pow when opened if they’re one of Up With Paper’s 3D varieties. The cards are available in over a dozen styles – from minimalist modern designs like a globular snowflake or a snowy village silhouette to more traditional designs, like Santa loading up his sleigh or a kitten causing mischief under the tree. They are available in specialty gift shops across Canada, but you can also order online from the website Sadie’s House. The cards are a little on the pricier side, so save them for those most special folks on your list, like your parents, your boss, or a faraway friend you’re missing this season.
Chalkboard Wishes Paper Gift Bags – From $0.65 each @ Creative Bag
Gift bags are a pretty ingenious solution to gift wrap conundrums. They hold awkwardly-shaped items, look good even if you’re miserable at wrapping things, and they’re reusable if you’re gentle with them. There are dozens of options out there, but I like the look (and price) of these pretty, vintage-inspired hand-drawn bags. Available in three sizes, they have a classy yet cute style and if you buy multiples of all three, can tie in your gift wrapping motif. If you care about such things. Not saying you do.
Rifle Paper Co. Greeting Cards – $4.50 USD each or $16 for a Box of 8
Not to play favourites, but I should probably preface this write-up by telling you that last year I went a little crazy upon stumbling upon Rifle Paper Co.’s beautiful boxed greeting cards and bought approximately six boxes of them. I was familiar with the brand’s signature precious, retro-inspired, hand-drawn look, but I don’t think I’d ever become fully conscious of who Rifle Paper Co. was till then – of course by that point, it was too late to share with you for the holiday season. Created by married couple Anna and Nathan Bond, the brand started as a humble home business in 2009 and has since exploded into an international phenomenon – far beyond greeting cards, they now have everything from art prints to cell phone cases to gorgeous gift ideas. But I simply couldn’t do a greetings & wrap post without touching on their beautiful, expansive collection of cards, which are available in many gift shops across Canada – you can view their full stockist list here (scroll down!), although recognize they’re also online at major retailers like Indigo. Whether you want something straightforward and sweet like a festive greeting, or something more whimsical like a Wes Anderson-esque snowy hilltop scene or a collection of cards inspired by The Nutcracker, look no further – these cards are truly winners (and available for much more than Christmas!)
Now I want to give one of you a head start on your holiday packaging and planning. I’m giving away a collection of Rifle Paper Co. greeting cards to one lucky winner. If you’re interested in winning your choice of festive wishes, here’s how to enter:
1) Visit the Rifle Paper Co. website and then tell me in the comments below by November 14, 2014 – Which holiday greeting card collection would you pick if you were the lucky winner? Hint: You’ll have to click the ‘Holiday’ button at the top of the Greeting Cards page to peruse their holiday offerings.
2) Entries are limited to one per person / per email address / per household (or more if you score bonus entries). A random draw will be conducted on or around November 15, 2014 to select the winner(s), who will have 48 hours to respond before another winner is chosen in their place.
3) Entries are limited to Canadians that have reached the age of majority in their province. Quebec is not eligible for this promotion.
4) Bonus Entry: Follow @riflepaperco on Instagram and comment on your favourite photo of theirs. Leave a link back to the photo you’ve commented on in a separate post below to earn one extra entry into the draw.
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[…] Paper Co. Monarch Flip Calendar – $16 As I expounded upon a few weeks ago, I love the look and feel of just about everything Rifle Paper Co. does. The great part is […]
Canadian Gift Guide 
I really like these cards: https://riflepaperco.com/shop/greeting-cards/holiday-snow-scene-holiday-ornament-card/
I think it’s great that they are dual-purpose!
I would love to have the Holiday Snow Scene Ornament Card.
I really love the Mistletoe Greeting Card.
Doreen
dorcontest at gmail dot com
I like the Christmas Tree greeting card https://riflepaperco.com/shop/greeting-cards/christmas-tree-holiday-greeting-card/
I would choose the Christmas Tree cards and also thought the postcards were a super idea and the Holiday Snow Scene was a great one.
https://riflepaperco.com/holiday-collection/holiday-greetings/north-pole-map-postcard/ Love the whimsical old world feel of these cards.
This wallpaper is very interesting.http://instagram.com/p/tGkr6QxYBT/?modal=true
I like the Holiday Snow Scene the most.
I love the Holiday Snow Scene because we’re a skiing family. So pretty!
Commented on IG!
I’m erockspellmaster
The Peace on Earth card was lovely
Visited the Rifle Paper Co. website and I would pick their Winter Peace on Earth holiday greeting card collection, though all are lovely. https://riflepaperco.com/catalog/product/view/id/447/category/6/
I’d like the Birthday Greeting cards
I like the Nativity Christmas Scene card – than ks!
I love the “Twas the Night Greeting Card!” The link: https://riflepaperco.com/holiday-collection/holiday-greetings/twas-the-night-holiday-card/
I follow on Instagram! I am: @photogirlj
Not really sure how to link back, but hopefully this is right: http://instagram.com/p/utmWLTRYOH/?modal=true
Love the “merry and bright” postcards. So cute!
And here’s my fave (non-holiday related)
I liked Twas The Night greeting cards, thanks
I would pick this collection
https://riflepaperco.com/holiday-collection/winter-foliage-assorted-card-set/
HOLIDAY SNOW SCENE
My fave is the Holiday Snow Scene Ornament Card – I love that it has an ornament that you can pop out of the card. Neat idea!
I like Balsam Fir.
https://riflepaperco.com/holiday-collection/holiday-greetings/balsam-fir-holiday-card/
Nutcracker set
I like the holiday pop up cards
Congrats owl cards 🙂
I love the Fiesta Forest Holiday card.
I love the St. Nick Greeting Cards, my family would really enjoy the whimsical look of them!
I’d pick the Snow Globe cards.
I’d pick the Wintergreen Christmas. It’s become really hard to find cards that say “Merry Christmas”.
I would chose the Wintergreen Christmas greeting card!
https://riflepaperco.com/catalog/product/view/id/446/category/6/
I follow,and liked and commented on this instagram pic
i would love the HOLIDAY POSTCARD
BE MERRY & BRIGHT
I would pick the Peace on Earth Cards https://riflepaperco.com/holiday-collection/holiday-greetings/winter-peace-on-earth-holiday-card/
Instagram – @wrightholl
I liked and commented on: 6 days ago · Rifle Paper Co
All of our holiday products are now available including our personalized holiday collection with photo cards, illustrated, & standard greetings. Place a personalized holiday order now through Nov. 3rd and receive 10% off your entire order. #riflepaperco
nutcracker card
the snowglobe card
I like the TWAS THE NIGHT cards!
I would pick the Peace on Earth holiday greeting card.
Holiday Snow Scene
I like the Nutcracker cards.
Wow-these are beautiful! I love the holiday snow scene: https://riflepaperco.com/holiday-collection/holiday-greetings/holiday-snow-scene-holiday-postcard/
I love the Holiday Snow Scene cards. They look just like where I live!
I’m @suekitty13 on Instagram. My comment is on http://instagram.com/p/utmWLTRYOH/?modal=true
I would choose the Holiday Snow Scene cards.
I would pick these ones: https://riflepaperco.com/holiday-collection/holiday-greetings/nutcracker-holiday-postcard/
Commented on this pic as sheltiemomma33 – http://instagram.com/p/toFaDvxYIV/?modal=true
i love all the cards..the variety and creativeness makes one fell special when they receive them!
I’d pick the snow globe for its whimsy.
The Holiday Snow Scene cards are lovely..but so is everything else.
North pole map are my fave !
I like cards that actually say Merry Christmas, so my pick would be the hanging ornaments portrait cards
I really like the North Pole map postcard card!
I really lile the North Pole map!
I like the birthday ballet card! They are all really nice and stylish!
I think the Fiesta Forest is very nice. Lovely colors and classic design. Very nice indeed
This Favorite Things card is so sweet!
https://riflepaperco.com/holiday-collection/holiday-greetings/favorite-things-holiday-card/
I love the merry stripes!
Commented on instagram @solace76 on their iceland photo
I love the Graphic Happy Holidays card!
holiday greeting card collection I would you pick if were the lucky winner
PINE HOLIDAY ORNAMENT CARD
https://riflepaperco.com/holiday-collection/holiday-greetings/pine-holiday-ornament-card/
Love this
HOLIDAY PLAID wrap..
https://riflepaperco.com/holiday-collection/holiday-gift-wrap/holiday-plaid-holiday-wrapping-sheets-rolled/
Love the Holiday Snow Scene Ornament Card
I’d like the be merry and bright cards!
Loved the Peace on Earth card – so nice
I”d choose the Fraser Fir cards!
If I won I would choose the Snow-Globe-Man card! https://riflepaperco.com/shop/greeting-cards/snow-globe-holiday-greeting-card/
I love the Winter Foliage cards-so beautiful!
I would choose the snow globe collection.
https://riflepaperco.com/new/2014-holiday-collection/snow-globe-holiday-greeting-card/
I would pick the Peace on Earth
So many awesome ones to pick from, but I love love the feel of this one https://riflepaperco.com/shop/greeting-cards/tis-the-season-holiday-card/
This card is so cool! I love this company.
https://riflepaperco.com/shop/greeting-cards/berry-peace-on-earth-holiday-ornament-card/
The holiday snow scene is really pretty.
snow scene ones are pretty
I really like the postcards; especially The Nutcracker one: https://riflepaperco.com/holiday-collection/nutcracker-holiday-postcard/ . But the ornament cards are great as well.
I like the https://riflepaperco.com/poinsettia-bloom-holiday-custom/
The Ornament Cards. They are so cute.
I think the Burgundy Foil is a classic! https://riflepaperco.com/shop/greeting-cards/many-thanks-thank-you-greeting-card/
Liked and commented as victoriaess2: http://instagram.com/p/vEtogHxYPS/?modal=true
I love the Berry Peace on Earth Ornament cards! So pretty.
Holiday Snow Scene
Love the Happy Holidays collection! A retro, simple vibe to it. Great!
I would choose the Christmas Tree cards.
I like the ornament cards!