Offering a gift-wrapping service during the holiday season is an excellent benefit for your customers and an edge for your business. We are all in a hurry as we shop for those special gifts and getting them wrapped even for a fee is a terrific way to inspire customer loyalty and provide a valued service. Several of our Internet-based customers are shipping their items gift wrapped. When something I purchase online comes to me gift-wrapped it says something very positive to me about that business and I feel special when I open the box. We have customers who provide a basic free wrap and charge for a more deluxe wraps. Others will provide the deluxe wrap free when the purchase is large or the customer is especially important.
If you decide to offer a gift-wrapping service, it is very important to be able to wrap those gifts quickly and attractively. We all know that time is money so I want to pass on a few wrapping shortcuts learned over the years gift wrapping for our catalog and advertising photography. Believe me, when you are facing a stack of fifty or more items to wrap for a deadline you learn to be fast! The above video shows an “out of the box” (pun intended) method that has made my job easier. I hope it will help you also.
In the video, you will learn how to get a lovely gift wrapping result quickly and efficiently!
Supplies:
1. Gift wrap of your choice (counter rolls* or smaller 85 foot rolls)
2. Scissors
3. Tape, both regular and double sided
4. Your choice of ribbons or bows (for help with bow making see our Bow Making blog.)
5. A supply of gift boxes for those items not boxed by the manufacturer.
6. You might want to offer gift enclosure cards as a resale item to go with your wrap.
* If you are using the large counter rolls, you will need some sort of dispenser to hold your wrap.
Of course, you need to set up an area for wrapping. The area can be a simple table or two set up in a corner away from the traffic flow or an elaborate gift wrap section right in your store. Have enough space to wrap your largest item and store the equipment and supplies. For more ideas on setting up this service, see our blog on Free Gift Wrapping vs. Charging for Gift Wrapping.
