Thoughtful touches for special gifts

Wrapped presents embellished with handmade decorations and tags add a personalised feel

AS THE DAYS become shorter, and nights begin to draw in, precious time can be spent in the comfort of the home with loved ones, and thoughts can turn to making preparations for the festive season to come. Spending a little time and effort when wrapping presents for family and friends shows the recipients how much they mean to the sender, and adding little extras that have been lovingly made by hand are guaranteed to be appreciated.

Decorative tags, made from gathered fabric or textured clay that has been imprinted with meaningful patterns, will help to make a gift even more special. Pretty ribbons can be fashioned from old fabrics, or adorned with precious brooches that will become cherished keepsakes long after the presents are opened.

ORNAMENTAL RUFFLES

Vintage fabric rosettes add a beautiful bloom to a gift, and are quick and simple to make from strips of salvaged material. Using a 20in (51cm) length of lace or fabric, tacking stitch is sewn along one long edge. The stitches are then gently gathered to create a rosette and the centre firmly sewn to hold the fabric together. Two vintage buttons are sewn, one on top of the other in increasing size, over the middle of the rosette and a length of ribbon attached to the back; long enough to wrap around a gift.

OPULENT GIFT TAGS

Fluted clay discs, imprinted with a relief pattern, to adorn a gift could be reused by the recipient as hanging decorations. Depending on the thickness of the clay and size of the cutter, a lump of clay that sits comfortably in the hand will make approximately eight tags.

The clay is rolled to 5mm thick: using a ceramic rolling pin or empty wine bottle is best, in order to achieve an even surface. A piece of heavily patterned lace or items with a textured surface, such as old jewellery or dried poppy seedheads, are pressed gently into the clay to create the pattern. Once the piece is completely covered, a pastry cutter is used to cut out discs, which are lifted out with a palette knife and placed on a flat surface. A large hole is made through each tag, where the piece of ribbon will be attached, and then left to dry and fully harden.

Once completely dry, the discs are coloured with a piece of sponge dipped in paint or ink, which is gently pressed onto the clay to highlight the design. A strip of fabric or ribbon is added for attaching to the gift.

LUXURY WITH ADDED GLIMMER

Eye-catching, vintage brooches will sparkle in the light of the Christmas tree, adding glamour to gifts simply wrapped with brown paper or newspaper. Wide ribbons, cut from luxurious fabric, are wrapped around the gift and tied in a bow, pinned in place by a complementary brooch. Other items, such as decorative buckles or clip-on earrings, can also be used to give the gift wrap extra charm.

ALL TIED UP IN VIBRANT COLOUR

Ribbon-like ties to dress up a gift can be made from strips of old clothing or textiles. Fabric from old shirts that are no longer worn or dress material with small patterns are ideal. Old sheets are a good choice for making longer strips of ribbon. Closely woven fabrics, such as cotton, gently fray with time and create added texture. Wrapped and pinned around squares cut from old greetings cards, the crafted ribbon can be stored neatly until needed.

“If nature has made you for a giver, your hands are born open, and so is your heart”

Frances Hodgson Burnett, A Little Princess