Rose Slocombe certainly knows a thing or two about wrapping presents. Having been an employee at Hippychick for close to twenty years, she has had plenty of time to perfect the art. Come Christmas, Rose is dedicated to the task of offering Hippychick’s gift-wrapping service, which can see her wrapping hundreds of gifts every week.
‘Fortunately, most of our items are boxed, which makes life pretty easy when it comes to wrapping’ says Rose. ‘But cuddly toys, especially rabbits with long ears, which are unboxed can prove particularly tricky. And items that are more triangular than square, can throw people completely off track.’
Here are some of Rose’s wrapping tips to ensure you get the perfect wrap, every time. To see a video of #wrapperrose at work, visit https://youtu.be/VOjRxT1FQXI

1. The quality of the wrapping paper is EVERYTHING. There might be a lot of cheap paper around to tempt you, but poor-quality paper can tear easily, and is therefore a false economy. But you don’t need to go overboard. Brown parcel paper is always a good choice and leaves you with plenty of scope for artistic licence – with ribbons, felt tip pens and colourful gift tags.
2. Layered tissue paper is also surprisingly strong and flexible – ideal for wrapping soft gifts such as cuddly toys.
3. Never trust your instincts. You need to be absolutely sure the paper you are working with is the right size. There’s nothing more frustrating than working with a piece of wrapping paper that doesn’t quite meet in the middle!
4. Place the gift in the middle of your wrapping paper. Make sure that the paper will cross with room to spare, over the largest part of the gift. Err on the side of generosity – always! You can cut back, if necessary.
5. Preparation, preparation, preparation. Use a table (not the floor, particularly a carpeted one). Make sure you have all the tools you might need to hand and within easy grasp including sharp scissors. A steel ruler will tear paper with great accuracy and a sharp edge.
6. Find a box! As we all know, wrapping something with straight edges is so much easier and neater. So always keep things like shoe boxes to accommodate particularly awkward shapes.
7. Double sided tape will add a professional touch. And always double fold the paper to create a neat, straight edge before applying the tape.
8. Use your fingernail along a fold line to create a sharp edge
9. Put on some Christmas music. There’s nothing like a Christmas classic to get you in the mood for a wrap.

Hippychick specialises in gifts for the under 5s and offers a gift-wrapping service which can be purchased at the checkout. Visit www.hippychick.com for more details.

Ends

Further press information available from: Heloise D’Souza, DSouzaPR Ltd, heloise@dsouzapr.co.uk Tel: 01460 239299/07770 988 612
Video link to Rose wrapping a cuddly toy in gold tissue paper –
https://bit.ly/3nGPugh