Category: Uncategorized
Art of Gift Wrapping — Shiho Masuda
Last month, I was invited to have a live interview to talk about my career as a gift wrapping designer at a local TV show in Hawaii. We talked about how I started my career and what projects I’ve been working on, then at the mid-point of the show, the interviewer asked me, “Why is the art of gift wrapping important?”
Image 1.jpgTo answer this question was important to me because that’s where my passion lies.
The art of gift wrapping is important because it helps us build an emotional connection with others. If hiding the content (gift) is all you want, putting it in a paper bag will do a fine job.
You want to wrap your gift in a beautiful presentation because you care about the recipients and want to express your feelings of appreciation, love and/or joy for them. The act of gift wrapping maybe physical but the real reason of doing so is emotional.
The art of gift wrapping is about building relationships and keeping connections with people important in your life.
In the world of internet and social media in which everyone focused on developing online interactions, taking the time to create something beautiful with your hands is a meaningful and heartfelt way to communicate with others.
I’ve been creating the art of gift wrapping for years for my family, friends and clients and the reactions I get from them are always priceless. Imagine instead of just a cookie-cutter mall wrapped gift, your friends and family will get these…
And this is why I’m passionate about teaching and sharing ideas of the art of gift wrapping so that you can reconnect with your loved ones through the beautiful art created by hand.
Just in time for the holiday season, this is an excellent way to start preparing your personal gifts. There are some awesome ways that you can tailor-make how you present those gifts to the people you love.
P.S. My new online course will help you do just that and it’ll be available next week at a very low price just for you for the holiday season. 😊 It’ll help you to learn and create the art of gift wrapping for your friends and family so that you can really “wow” them!
via How to Create More Intimacy and Build Better Relationships through the Art of Gifting — Shiho Masuda
If you love the art of gift wrapping then you can now get a monthly deluxe box of coordinated gift wrapping materials delivered straight to your door from Cards and Gift Wrap.
Simple Origami Hearts
Make your own hearts from squares of leftover wrapping paper, or tissue paper.
These can be used for decoration, or to make your own cards.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZtvAUBR7Pc]
Why not pop a personalised message inside one?
If you liked this, you might also like my paper chain hearts.
“Coconut and orange scented rice pudding” Recipe
Coconut and orange scented rice pudding
This recipe is completely vegan and completely delicious (just cause it’s vegan doesn’t mean it’s not delicious!). It has a mellowness from the coconut milk and a tartness from the orange juice taste. It’s also very healthy for you. The ginger and orange zest livens the pudding and makes it a memorable experience. You can eat this as dessert, breakfast or even as a snack. The pudding is fresh and pungent.
400
milliliters of Canned coconut milk
1
cup of Water
3/4
cup of Orange juice
2
teaspoons of Natural vanilla extract
1
pinch of Kosher salt
1
cup of Basmati rice
4
tablespoons of Honey
2
teaspoons of Cinnamon
2
teaspoons of Ginger root, chopped
2
teaspoons of Orange peel, choppedIn a sauce-pan mix the coconut milk, water, orange juice, vanilla extract, salt, and rice. Put the pan over a medium heat. Bring the mixture to the boil and then turn the heat down so that it comes to a simmer. Slightly cover the pan leaving a small space for the steam to escape. Stir the rice every 5 minutes so that it doesn’t stick and burn. Simmer for about 30 minutes or until most of the liquid has been absorbed by the rice. Once most of the liquid has been absorbed turn the heat off and place the lid over the pan. Let the cooked rice sit for about 5 minutes.
Mix the honey, cinnamon, ginger, and orange zest in a bowl (leave a little ginger and orange zest for the garnish). Pour this mixture over the rice and mix gently with a fork.
via “Coconut and orange scented rice pudding” Recipe.
If you like this, you might also like Coconut Oil Chocolate Fudge
Paper Chain Hearts
Remember making paper chains when you were little? Endless cutting up of newspaper, or old wrapping paper to make the strips, then glue or staples as you linked them together?
Want to do it again?!
I love making paper chains with my children but I confess I take the easy way out now and use pre-gummed paper chains.
However, recently I’ve been busy trying other ideas 
with the paper strips, like these heart decorations. Really simple to do and my 9 year old discovered if you turn them upside-down they look like Christmas trees.
I did make a video of how to make these hearts for Valentines Day.
Collaborating With a 6-Year Old
I remember reading about this collaboration when it went viral a couple of years ago. Glad it’s still going on, what a great way to work alongside your child.