These are a few of my favorite things, truly. Color-coordination, expensive wrapping paper, whirly-gigged ribbons: not for me. I’m not tidy enough. I don’t carefully measure package dimensions; the scotch tape is, inevitably placed crookedly, on the ends. Indeed, I like the mix or ordinary and exceptional  to be found in a brown-paper bag and a ribbon. I love the old-fashioned look, the thrifty-ness, the heft. These are packages that can withstand the wind-whipping and the snow falling as they’re hurried out of the car and inside to a family Christmas celebration. These are packages that can be tucked in a box and shipped cross-country. These are packages that can be put together in a dash when you’ve found just the right gift for someone and can hardly wait to give it. These are packages that put to good use the brown bags that pile up, despite your vow to remember your reusable bags.

I keep a box in the attic, and throughout the year I squirrel away bits of ribbon, colored tissue paper, and other wrapping supplies that make their way to me through various gifts and occasions. The contents of the box are eclectic: a pink ribbon from an Easter celebration; a yellow bow that held together a bouquet of flowers; glittery tissue paper from a Christmas gift. When it comes time for wrapping, I pull out my grocery bags and the box and get to work. I play Christmas music and don’t worry too much about tidiness.

I like the rustic look anyway.