Erin Doman on December 16, 2015 0 Comments A bottle of wine is the classic gift for a host or hostess, and something thoughtfully chosen says you care about the people you are visiting. Make it even more special by taking the time to wrap it carefully. Below are some ideas for creatively gifting and wrapping a wine bottle, whether it’s a last-minute gift or a special vintage you’ve chosen just for the recipient. For Those Last-Minute Gifts Maybe you were invited to a dinner party at the last minute, or maybe you’ve known about it for a while but have neglected to plan ahead. Either way, if you’re pulling a bottle from your own collection to give as a gift, there are some simple things you can do to make a beautiful presentation just by using things you already have around the house. 1. Bag It Even if you don’t have a wine gift bag, you probably have a bag that can be used to stow that bottle of wine festively. A brown paper lunch sack is ideal, but you can also try digging through your wrapping paper collection for an old gift bag or cutting down a paper grocery bag. Tuck a few pieces of tissue paper inside and cinch it with a ribbon. 2. Wrap It There are a number of things you can use to wrap a wine bottle, and it’s fast and easy. Wrapping paper is the obvious choice, but consider craft paper, parchment paper, newspaper, or even packing paper. Cut the paper about 10″ longer than your bottle and wide enough to wrap around it. If the paper is thin, you might want to wrap it a couple of times. Roll the bottle in the paper, leaving about 2″ at the bottom of the bottle. Use a piece of tape at the seam, and then accordion the overhang over the bottom of the bottle, taping a few times to keep it sturdy. At the top of the bottle, you can gather the extra paper with ribbon or twine. For a sleeker presentation, fold the corners in and down, and wrap a wide ribbon lengthwise around the bottle. 3. Tag It Let the wine shine by simply tying a tag around the neck. Use your printer to make a pretty personalized tag, or create one freehand if you are confident in your drawing skills. You could also make a new label for the bottle, personalized with your name and the name of the recipient. There are lots of templates online that do the work for you. With the right tag or label, no one will know that you didn’t plan ahead. For a Thoughtful Presentation If you’ve put a lot of thought into the wine gift you are giving, or if you want to make it really special, try one of the following ideas to convey the thought or meaning behind what you are giving. 4. Personalized Bags If you’re planning on giving a lot of wine gifts during the holidays, or if you’ve been perfecting your own wine-making, it might be worth it to order some custom bags with a seasonal greeting and your name printed on them. These don’t have to be expensive to make quite an impression. 5. Wine Boxes A wine box tells the recipient that the bottle of wine you are giving them is really something special. It also serves as a gentle reminder that this isn’t the wine to reach for when everyone’s tipsy and you decide to open just one more bottle. For a wonderful wedding present, a bottle of wine that needs to age for about five years presented in a special box to be opened on the fifth anniversary will be cherished and remembered by the happy couple. For a meaningful gift at any number of holiday parties that you’re invited to, why not bring a special bottle of wine or bubbly in a festive box for the new year? 6. Accessorize It Maybe you’ve found the perfect bag at your favorite wine store, or you’re keeping it simple with craft paper. You can still knock it out of the park by tying a thoughtful accessory to the neck of the wine bottle. Make it wine-related or just tie something fun and festive on it. Let the ideas below spark your imagination. A decorative stopper, aerator or pourer in a small tulle bag is thoughtful and charming. Buy or make mulling spices and attach them to an appropriate bottle of wine, along with instructions. Acrylic wine glasses are a great gift for someone who likes to camp or picnic. Cross the stems, tie them together, and attach them to the neck of your bottle like a bouquet. For a really special vintage, include a wine candle wick so the bottle can be turned into a beautiful oil lamp afterwards. If You’re Feeling Crafty If adding a handmade touch appeals to you, try getting creative by dressing it up with one of the ideas below. 7. Sweater Weather Especially fun as winter weather sets in, wrapping a wine bottle in the sleeve of a sweater is a cozy and festive touch. If you sew, you can cut up an old sweater and sew something that fits perfectly. If you don’t sew, use the sleeve. Cut it about 3″ longer than it needs to be, turn it inside out, and gather the cut end, tying it tightly with a piece of twine or thread. Turn it right-side-out again and use the cuff at the cork end, cinching it with a ribbon or piece of yarn. If you knit or crochet, you can have even more fun with this. Try knitting tiny little hats and scarves to dress your bottles in. This charming touch will please everyone. You might even find yourself dressing up all your wine bottles for the winter. 8. Dress It Up Similar to the sweater sleeve, the sleeve and cuff of a button-down shirt is another fun way to present a bottle. Use a funny tie from the thrift store or double the gift by giving the recipient a tie he might actually wear. It would make a great groomsman gift, too! A bottle of wine, when thoughtfully chosen, is always appreciated. When you make it extra-special by using one of the ideas above for gifting and wrapping a wine bottle, it becomes a memorable gift and makes a lasting impression on the recipient.
