The Total Package

Posted by Canadian Gift Guide on November 3, 2016 · 84 Comments

When I start thinking of the holiday season, one of the first things that springs to mind are all the gorgeous greeting cards and gift wrap that start hitting the shelves. I will unabashedly admit that the #1 activity that gets me in the holiday spirit is wrapping gifts, as well as writing cards, so I’m always excited to share new gift ideas with you guys related to holiday greeting cards and gift wrap. Below are some of my favourite finds this season!

Printed in Canada Christmas Cards – $4.75 – $6 @ Forest & Waves
If you’re in the market to just send out a handful of cards to those you truly treasure, then invest in a card that has the same amount of TLC put into it. Vancouver-based Forest & Waves sources their paper from Canadian or Scandinavian mills that have a history of ethical paper production, uses eco-friendly inks, and hand silkscreens every piece. Inspired by the great outdoors, their gorgeous cards are truly a work of art not just for how they look, but for how they’re made. They’ve just launched a few new styles to carry you through this holiday season – pick up a different one for every special person you’d like to celebrate the holidays with.

Rifle Paper Co. Gift Wrap – $10.95 each @ Indigo
It seems a total no-brainer that paper products brand Rifle Paper Co. would have gift wrap, but I honestly can’t remember seeing it before today. Designed with Anna Bond’s signature whimsical style, each bundle contains three rolled sheets. Motifs include everything from a wintery scene (my fave) to pretty botanicals to holiday-esque angels. Mix and match ’em for a totally coordinated look under the tree!

Merry Christmas Sound Wave Greeting Cards – $35 for 12 @ Sound Wave Art
If you’re sending a card because you can’t say Merry Christmas to someone in person, then check out these nifty greeting cards. The image on the front is created from the actual soundwave of someone saying Merry Christmas, and they’re available in a bunch of other ‘sayings’ as well. You can also create your own custom card that shows your soundwave on the front. For the regular cards, note that shipping is an extra $15 USD so you may want to order a larger quantity.

Super Awesome Christmas Wrapping Paper Book – $21.99 @ Retro Festive
If you’re out for laughs this holiday season, then you’ll absolutely want to pick up this hilarious book of wrapping paper. With styles like fruitcake, yetis, bacon, ugly Christmas sweaters and more, it’s easy to add some instant fun to any gift. Filled with 12 different sheets of wrapping paper, consider gifting it to your little brother so he actually has wrapping paper in the house.

Cheerful Holiday Postcards – $2+ @ The Shop
Not into sending holiday cards? You can also send postcards – opt for ones with a fun classic look to play up the retro vibes. Printed on recycled paper, this is another eco-friendly pick – even the sleeve they come in is biodegradable. Note that these are a pick-up only item from The Shop, based in Toronto, however if you contact ’em you might be able to find a way to get them shipped to you.

‘It Might Be a Book’ Wrapping Paper – $8.82 for 5 Sheets @ The Literary Gift Company
I love giving books as holiday gifts – and I guess I happen to be friends with plenty of bookworms who get excited at receiving them. If you’re gifting the obvious, you may as well make it funny by wrapping it in this quirky, self-explanatory paper. While the orange + black version evokes Penguin Classics books, there’s also a pretty blue version that has the same fun retro vibe. Don’t need five sheets? You can also pick up individual ones for under $3 a pop.

JustWink App – Free, With Card Packs from $2.79
If you’re doing the paperless thing this holiday season, check out this nifty app. You can buy card packs (or take advantage of a handful of free cards) that contain about 10 different styles (depending on the pack) of virtual greeting cards, which can then be customized with your own photo, personal message, signature, and potentially even a gift card or voice message. Because you do it all from your phone, you can send these cool greetings via text or email. The app is offered by American Greetings, so you know the cards’ll be well written and charming to boot.

Silkscreened Wrapping Paper – $5 @ Forest & Waves
I couldn’t resist featuring another product from Canadian brand Forest & Waves. They’ve not only covered you on the greeting card front, but with wrapping paper too. Like their cards, this gorgeous paper is lovingly silkscreened by hand here in Canada, with paper sourced from some of the world’s most responsible producers. Silkscreen, if you didn’t know, is the practice of dragging ink across a mesh surface, which then transfers an image onto the paper below. The result is paper that is truly unique from sheet to sheet. If you love the styles they’ve got now, they’re also launching some new ones mid-month. No worries – I promise I won’t mock any of you for making like your frugal Auntie and saving the paper after you unwrap a gift – it’d look just as cute in a simple minimalist frame or sliced down to rewrap another smaller gift in the future!

Want to get a jump start on the holidays? You’re in luck. Forest & Waves has kindly offered to give away a prize package of greeting cards and gift wrap to one lucky winner! Want to nab it for yourself? Here’s how to enter for your chance:

1) SUPER important note! You must be a Canadian Gift Guide subscriber to enter this giveaway. Just find the ‘Gift of Gab’ box on the righthand side of this page and either hit ‘Follow’ or enter your email address. Once you’ve done that, leave me a comment by November 15, 2016 with a link back to your favourite Christmas card on the Forest & Waves website. While you’re at it, tell me your favourite greetings + wrap idea featured in this post!

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 16, 2016 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 Forest & Waves on Instagram and either Regram one of their photos and take a photo from their site and share it on your own feed, tagging them in it. Leave a link back to your photo in the comments below in a separate comment.