Transparent wrap can put your party guests in the clear

Attendees won’t have to sit through unwrapping process, but not everyone is sold

“Please be a dear and wrap in clear.”

This little rhyme was on an invitation to a baby shower put together recently by event planner Laura Petrocelli, owner of Couture Concepts Inc. of Huntington, N.Y. It’s indicative of a growing trend at baby and bridal showers — requesting that guests wrap gifts in clear wrap instead of opaque, decorative wrapping paper.

That way, everyone can see what the gift is instead of having to watch each one be unwrapped.

“It’s becoming more and more popular. The No. 1 reason is that bridal and baby showers tend to drag a little bit,” Petrocelli says.

“Most of the time is used watching the guest of honour open her gifts. It can get slightly boring. People are trying to think outside the box these days, keeping their event fun and non-traditional.”

The guest of honour can still choose to hold up each gift and thank the giver if she wants, but not having to unwrap makes the process go faster.

If the guest of honour doesn’t want to do that, Petrocelli recommends having extra tables and bringing some crates or boxes to the shower to showcase the gifts in a display that guests can peruse during the party.

The second-biggest reason for using clear wrapping is that some guests of honour don’t relish being the centre of attention; not having to unwrap gifts in front of everyone takes the pressure off, Petrocelli says.

Some more traditional family members or friends may object to this new trend, Petrocelli says.

“Some family members say that part of the fun is unwrapping.”