Valentine’s Day – Creating the Right Ambiance

Creating the Right Ambiance for Valentines DayWhether you’re married, engaged, or just have a special someone you want to share your time with, Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and it’s the perfect day to show your significant other just how much they mean to you.

If you’re trying to make this Valentine’s Day a special one, here are some ideas to create an ambiance that’s perfectly tailored for you and your sweetie.

  1. Choose décor that represents your relationship.

Just because the token colors for Valentine’s Day are red, pink, and white doesn’t mean you have to abide by those imaginary rules. The same goes with hearts; I’m a fan of the shape, but too many hearts on Valentine’s Day and I feel like mine might explode. Instead, opt for colors that suit you. Whether it’s table linens that match the color of the sunset you watched together when you first started dating, or the colors of the school where you met, breaking free of the red and pink will help your night feel more special and less like a Hallmark card.

  1. If you’re staying in, add an extra element to make the evening stand out.

You certainly don’t have to go out on Valentine’s Day. If you do decide to have a romantic dinner at home, you don’t have to go overboard, but a few extra elements can turn your everyday stomping grounds in to a romantic setting. My suggestions? Switch up the décor, add some candles, and create a personal touch (such as a picture or a love letter). Those elements will transform your home into something different and special.

  1. Be yourself.

We’re surrounded with media suggesting that big gestures should be the norm, and that puts a lot of pressure on holidays like Valentine’s Day. Glitz and glam are great to incorporate at the right occasion, but choosing elements that really represent who you are will go over much more smoothly. It will also remind your partner why they love you so much in the first place—because you’re you. Plus, if you’re staying true to yourself, you’ll be much more relaxed and better able to enjoy your time with loved ones.

No matter what your plans are, remember that this holiday is all about who you share it with. As much as we’re about décor, we’re still believers that the best ingredient to any successful event is good company.

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Bright Settings is Going Mobile

Bright Settings Going MobileWe’ve got great news. We’re launching our mobile website. Well, we think it’s great news, and we think quite a few of you will too.

12 out of every 100 visitors to our site are accessing it from their mobile devices. We get it. You’re busy. You’re not always sitting at your computer. With a lifestyle that constantly has you on the run, we want to make it as easy as possible for you to get the info you need, when you need it, wherever you are. So if you’re sitting in traffic, stuck in a meeting, waiting for Suzie to get out of ballet class, or just need quick access to your order info, now you can pull out your smart phone and access it.

You can reach our mobile site at m.brightsettings.com.

Here’s how we’ve broken things down:

Useful Web Apps

Under this menu, you’ll find your favorite Bright tools, including:

  • Tablecloth Calculator to determine your custom size tablecloth
  • Set the Table, a guide to formal table setting, customizable after selecting which courses you’ll be serving.
  • Table Setup for figuring out how to maximize your space with table and chair placements
  • All of our Napkin Folding tutorials—videos included!


Order Status

Want to know the status of your order? Just enter your order number and billing postal code. This will give you access to your shipping information, including the estimated delivery date—without even having to leave the site.

Contact Info

All the info you’d ever need to get in touch with us on the go. Our address, phone numbers, e-mail addresses, and even our Federal EIN and DUNS# are on this page.

Ask a Question

Getting your questions answered has never been easier. Whether you want us to e-mail you or call you, submit your question, and we’ll be in touch within 1 business hour.

Customer Service

Under this menu, you’ll be able to find answers to some of your most pressing questions. You’ll find return and cancellation policies for all of our products, as well as other frequently asked questions.

Mobile Sales Coming Soon

This part of the mobile site is under construction (that’s why you can’t click on it yet), and we’re hoping to roll it out sometime this spring. We’ll start with linen sales, and then add rental, trade show linens, and furniture as we progress. You can already order from the regular website now using a tablet, but we’re miniaturizing our navigation and purchase screens to make it easier to buy on the run from a smartphone.

Check it out and let us know what you think. We’re here to make your hectic life a little easier, so if it’s working for you—let us know. If you think we need to change something or have an idea or other comments and feedback, we definitely want to hear that, too! We really care about what you think, I promise. If it will make your life easier, it will make our job a more enjoyable one. So please take a look at m.brightsettings.com with your smartphone and let us know what you think by submitting your comments below.

Superbowl Party Decorations

Superbowl Party DecorationsSuperbowl Sunday is quickly approaching. Whether you’re a die-hard Patriots fan, have a big thing for the Giants, or are just watching because you can’t resist the commercials, Bright Settings has some ideas to make the most of the biggest football day of the year.

Decorating this year couldn’t be easier. Both teams have almost the same colors, save for the variation in shades of blue. Why is this a good thing? Because a little friendly competition at home makes the competition on screen ten times more exciting. The similarity in supportive colors will allow all of your guests to feel included, even if you’re cheering for opposite teams.

If you’re not enthusiastic about a solid red, white, or blue tablecloth, try patterned table linens instead. Football is a truly American sport, and what better way to show your support than some classic stars and stripes? When the game is over, you can fold them up and store them for your 4th of July blowout. Now, that’s what I call WINNING.

If you’re a Tebow fan…

Okay, Tim Tebow won the hearts of men and women alike this past season, and some people were a little distraught when the pure-hearted 24 year old didn’t make it to the Superbowl. If you’re still mourning Tebow’s too-short season, save the Bronco’s décor for next year, but feel free to Tebow at will.

No matter who you’re rooting for…

White tablecloths match every team’s colors. Plus, when paired with the right accents, they’re perfect for just about any other occasion you could think of. If you’re worried about wing sauce forever staining your pristine white linens, why not try a brown tablecloth instead? The darker color will help hide stains, if there are any. Just make sure nobody gets too rowdy during half-time and mistakes the tablecloth for a football!

Here at Bright, we’ll be holding out hope that the Steelers pull through next year so we can decorate in Black And Yellow.

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Fabric By The Yard for DIY Table Linens

Fabric By The YardFor a true do-it-yourself kind of person, buying something like a tablecloth can seem like too much of a cop out. If you can make it yourself, why spend the extra money to have someone else do it for you?

I like to consider myself of the crafty variety; I know how to sew, I have a good eye for color and design, and I find myself utterly engulfed in my projects far more often than I might like to admit to others. Unfortunately, I end up buying a lot of things I know I could make because I just can’t find the time.

But if you do have the time and the DIY bug, sewing your own table linens is a great way to create something that’s not only beautiful, but totally functional as well.

As any crafter knows too well, the tools and materials you have to work with can determine how successful the outcome of your project is. Too many times I’ve been in the middle of a sewing project only to realize that I clearly should have chosen a different fabric. By then it’s usually too late, so I just soldier on and fight with the fabric until I’m mildly satisfied (yet unbelievably frustrated) with the result. I know if I put the project down, I might never come back to it.

Well, crafters, I’ve got good news for you. Bright Settings sells all of the fabrics we use for our linens by the yard. For those of you that just aren’t satisfied with having someone else do the work you love to do yourself, you don’t have to settle.

You might be asking yourself, “Why would I order fabric online when I could go to my local craft store and buy the fabric instead?” When I say we sell our fabric by the yard, I mean it’s the same exact fabric we use to make our table linens which means most of the fabrics are scotch-guard treated to prevent stains and general wear and tear. The only thing worse than struggling with a project is to have it finally finished and set on the table, just to watch someone knock a full glass of red wine or splatter spaghetti sauce and ruin all of your hard work. With our Fabric By The Yard, you can rest assured that you’re using the best quality fabric for the job.

So, we get that sometimes you just want to do things yourself. Kudos to you. We want to help kinder your inner-DIY spirit, and our Fabric By The Yard will do just that. If you have questions about how specific fabrics are treated, sizes, or how workable a fabric is, check out the Fabric By The Yard section of our site, or get in touch. We’re happy to help.

Tips for Your Trade Show Tablecloth

Tips for your trade show tableclothTrade show season is quickly approaching as vendors from all over the country contemplate how to make their tables stand out amongst a sea of their competitors.

Certainly, your products and services are the most important aspect of making an impression, but a booth or table that wows can make a critical difference. Even if your merchandise is unique, a trade show tablecloth will help you seal the deal and encourage visitors to remember your product and your brand.

There are a number of ways to make your area stand out, but it’s up to you to make it happen. Remember, there’s no limit to innovation, but, if you’re stumped for ideas, consider some variation of the following:

  1. Incorporate your logo

Especially if you’re going to a trade show where there will be a plethora of products similar to yours, incorporating your brand logo and colors throughout your booth will help visitors associate the products you’re showing with your brand. The last thing you want is a potential customer to be impressed by your product and then forget your brand. Strong and repeated color and logo integration will ensure that that doesn’t happen.

  1. Use a keyword

We’re in the age of Google, so keywords are more prevalent in our lives than ever before. Is there a keyword that describes your business in a way that sets it apart from the others you’ll be surrounded by? If there is, use it. Just by reading your tablecloth show attendees will then be able to decide if what you’re selling is of interest to them. When visitors approach your table with the idea that they’re already interested in what you have to say or sell, you’ll be better able to convert them into customers.

  1. Use a shocking image

If you’ve ever been to a trade show or convention, you know how crowded it can get. There are tables with eager distributors everywhere, not to mention the other attendees who look almost as clueless as you feel. (Okay, that might just be my experience.) So as you’re walking past table after table of displays, what makes you stop and really interact with one in particular? Curiosity. They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so why not harness that to get the attention of passers by?  Make sure the image is related to what you’re selling. Not only will it grab attention, it will also serve as the perfect conversation starter to dive in to a spiel about your product or service.

Check out our previous post to see the pros and cons of digital versus screen printing, and, as always, if you need any additional help, feel free to call our knowledgeable sales team.

May this year be prosperous for all!

Party Planning on a Budget

party planningHosting a party or event can get pricey, and in this economy, sometimes that means giving up elements we really want.

But just because you’re trying to save some money doesn’t mean your décor has to go completely out the window. Making some simple adjustments to your plans may even make you (and your bank account) happier with the end result.

First, consider your surfaces. If you have old folding tables with beat up tops, forgoing a tablecloth probably isn’t in the cards. However, renting table linens is much more cost effective if you’ve got a lot of tables to cover and you’re only going to need to cover them once. Tablecloths, napkins and table skirts can all be rented.

Now, let’s say you’re throwing a smaller get together, maybe a dinner party for your friends or family at your home. Rental is still an option, but if you want to buy and still save some money, consider skipping an element or opting for a less expensive fabric. I am clearly a proponent of tablecloths, but, depending on your table and your budget, picking and choosing some combination of a tablecloth, a table runner, placemats and napkins can still create a lovely atmosphere. If you definitely want the surface of the table covered, play around with the other elements of the table to see what you like best, and ditch the ones you think you can live without. I’ve seen some absolutely gorgeous tables dressed just in a runner and placemats.

Once you’ve chosen which linen pieces you want, think about the center of the table. Centerpieces can set the mood at the table, so even if you had to give up some of the fancy linens, you can still dress up a simple table setting with some snazzy centerpieces. There are limitless options here, but since you’re on a budget, check out these ideas from Martha Weddings. (I know they’re supposed to be for weddings, but a variation of any of them will still look stunning on any table!)

Voila! You have a beautiful table and managed to save a bit of cash, so maybe you can splurge on a nice bottle of wine or some fresh shrimp cocktail! Now it’s time to sit back and relax until your guests arrive. Happy hosting!

Sugarland Finally Speaks Out About Staging Tragedy

In mid-August, I wrote an article that was inspired by the tragedy that took place on August 13th at the Indiana State Fair. In the article, I shared some tips on how to help prevent accidental staging accidents like the one that took place at the Sugarfoot concert. After several months of silence from the band, front man and front woman Kristian Bush and Jennifer Nettles are finally speaking out about the tragedy, so I figured I would write a follow up that focuses on the potential dangers associated with large public performing events, and to reinforce the importance of using proper equipment and know-how when it comes to setting up staging and staging equipment.

When lead singer Jennifer Nettles went on ABC’s “In the Spotlight With Robin Roberts” on the 8th of November, she opened up about her personal experience on that tragic summer day, where scaffolding and staging collapsed causing numerous injuries and several fatalities:

The emotional toll that the devastation took on lead singer Jennifer Nettles is undoubtedly shared by every witness to this awful event. During the interview with Robin Roberts, Nettles said that “she wept when she saw the devastation caused by a massive gust of wind moments before they were to take the stage.”  So, with tragedies such as this, the pain spreads well beyond the injured and killed to the survivors who had to witness these awful events.

The high and gusty winds have, so far, been the force behind the collapse of the concert stage in the public’s eye. However, now that the calamity has had some time to settle, legal action is in the works against the promoters of the event and even the members of the band themselves. Considering that, in her recent interview, Nettles said that she only missed being a potential victim by mere minutes, it is clear that the legal ramifications of staging accidents can be as widespread as the accidents themselves. This brings up another reason why safe staging equipment and a careful approach to live events are very important.

The physical and emotional toll created by tragedies such as the Sugarland staging collapse are easily apparent. However, certain potential legal repercussions can make a bad situation even worse. This leads to the main point of my follow-up article:  bands and band promoters must be familiar with all of the rules and regulations surrounding staging, staging equipment, staging setup, safety entrances and exits, fire codes… Basically, it is safe to assume that in any situation where something could possibly go wrong there are probably already rules and regulations in place designed to prevent any problems. By staying within the bounds of whatever regulations are in place for the event you may be promoting you can help to protect yourself from potential legal prosecution if, god forbid, something should go wrong.

For instance, if you are a band member or promoter planning an event at a particular club, research the regulations for events in the same sized area in which you are planning the gig. Don’t always go along with the club owners regulations. It is possible that he or she may have skimped on staging, staging, equipment, electrical amplification, or any number of other potential safety concerns. And, even if you sign a safety agreement with the club owner and an accident occurs, a good lawyer can still implicate the band and promoter if the club code isn’t up to par with the local municipal regulations. So, know the rules and regulations for sturdy staging. If you don’t know them already, it would be smart to find out. You should come to every venue with a copy of the local event safety regulations in hand. That way, when you arrive to inspect the venue, you can make sure that they are using the proper staging, sturdy band risers, and following all of the other public codes that apply. If you own portable staging and staging equipment, make sure that you use the safest stage rigs, risers, and railings so that you can protect yourself, your band, and the club from both the terrible potential physical and emotional pain caused by a tragedy in a large crowd, and the possible legal repercussions as well.

These responsibilities don’t just fall on the promoters. As a performer, you have a unique perspective on the possible safety issues that may occur at live music events. And, as the talk of legal prosecution towards the Sugarland members seem to grow louder, it is safe to assume that even as a band member you may not be safe from the legal issues brought about by an accident such as the one in Indiana. Of course, my advice is directed more towards local bands and smaller promoters than the members of a super-group like Sugarland. Still, as a performer, it is a good idea to be aware of the safety precautions used when setting up your staging, staging accessories, and stage equipment.

Finally, using common sense when setting up staging equipment is probably the easiest thing to do. By this, I certainly don’t mean to imply that the Sugarland incident was a result of lack of common sense. Neither do I wish to criticize anyone for the event. Most likely, the severity of the weather was probably so high that the specifications of the staging and scaffolding were never expected to encounter winds so severe. Often, a horrible accident is just a horrible accident. However, when it comes to the legal system, there is always a good chance that someone will take the blame, even if they appeared to do everything right. In the months to come, perhaps we will see more about the details of the staging accident. If everything was up to code, it will be difficult to prosecute anyone except, perhaps, for the party responsible for writing the regulations.

Whatever your role at a live music concert, even if you are just a spectator, keep safety in the front of your mind. Large crowds of people can quickly become the site of a disaster, so be mindful of your surroundings and, if you ever find yourself in the middle of a disaster like the one that occurred at the Indiana State Fair, hopefully you will be able to remain calm and be part of the solution just like the many spectators who helped to lift the scaffoldings off of the victims at the Sugarland concert.

How I Saved a Cocktail Party

Cocktail-PartyOne of my favorite parts of the holiday seasons is that old friends, many who have moved far from home, return to the fold for Christmas and the New Year. Usually (in my case, anyways), those friends come home for the holiday looking to have a good time. This year, since I still live close to where my friends and I grew up, it fell on me and my roommate to play host to the out-of-town friends. Nobody planned it that way but, just prior to Thanksgiving break, rumors of a gathering at my home began to be posted, tweeted, and texted until I could no longer deny that I was going to have to play host at my home a couple nights prior to Thanksgiving.

Now, the house that my roommate and I share is of ample size for a larger gathering. However, to say that the house is a “fixer-upper” is the understatement of the year. This left me in a bit of a jam. Let’s face it, nobody wants their old friends to return for a visit and find that you live in a poorly furnished, somewhat dilapidated home. However, since my roommate is attending graduate school and I only recently finished, neither of us had much of a decorating budget. Scott (my roommate) felt the same concern, so the two of us came up with a plan to throw a party with as much style as we could muster on a limited budget.

The biggest problem we had to face was making the living area livable. In the normal course of things Scott and I spend most of our time in our respective rooms. Our downstairs, however, is quite spacious. It is also fully furnished in terms that you would expect. We have a couch, two love seats, two upholstered chairs, a large rectangular dining style table and a large coffee style table in the alternate living room. This presented us with two problems: first of all, our “inexpensive” furniture (which was mostly obtained by collecting hand-me-downs from moving students) only provides seating for eight people at most. And, while you can always expect certain partygoers to mingle and stay on their feet, we were looking at twenty guests (which always turns into more). The second problem was that, while we were short on seating, the living room and dining room furniture is the opposite of festive.

So, to solve our seating and decorating issues, we came up with a party theme that was designed to save money. Acquiring the extra seating was no problem at all. We simply borrowed a dozen wooden folding chairs from the fraternity house down the street who, unlike Scott and I, threw “cocktail parties” nearly every night. Once we had the folding chairs from our neighbors, we set them around the perimeter of each of the two main downstairs rooms. They worked out great because people were able to easily move them into various social configurations as the party progressed.

The decorations for the party were a bit more of a challenge. Scott and I decided to go for a “white Christmas” theme (even though it was only Thanksgiving break-nobody called us on it). Since refurnishing the house was out of the question we decided that we would simply cover all of the ugly furniture that was already there. We went to the linen store and grabbed a bunch of fairly inexpensive white table coverings and table skirtings that were kind of like tissue paper with snowflake designs. They even allowed us to rent the table linens without giving us any washing responsibilities. When we were finished we only had to return the soiled linens in a special bag to get our deposit back.

We then began to create our vision in white. Our first step was to use the white table linens to cover all of the furniture (except, of course, for the folding chairs that we borrowed). With only the white linen coverings overtop the furniture the place would have looked more like we were preparing for a Halloween party. However, by streaming the tissue table skirting with the snowflake designs around the tables, in the doorways, and as secondary coverings for our larger furniture we managed to pull off a respectable snowflake motif.

Fortunately, my friends are not the type to even give a thought to such trifles. Still, I have always believed that creating a festive ambience was the most important part of throwing a good party. And, in this case, it certainly seemed to help. Our out-of-town friends got very little sleep that night and, most importantly, everybody had a great time. While there is a good chance we would have had a good time regardless of how our house looked, I am convinced that the simple steps we took to decorate helped make the reunion more memorable.

Tips for Making a Toast

tips for making a toast

 

 

 

Cheers!

With a new year just around the corner, there’s a lot to celebrate. There’s no better way to commemorate a moment than with a good toast. But if you’re not the most eloquent with words, making a toast in front of a room full of people can seem like a daunting task. Here’s what you can do to make a splash at any event:

 

  1. Prepare. Even if you’re going for an impromptu speech, thinking about what you want to say can not only help you succeed in your “off the cuff” moment, but it will help calm your nerves to have, at the very least, an outline, of what you want to say. If you’re worried you’ll forget, consider writing a few key words on your cocktail napkin (just make sure it’s not a cloth one!) The key words will refresh your memory without making it look like you’re reading from a script.
  2. Prior to making a toast, make sure everyone has something to toast with. If there’s champagne, make sure everyone’s got a little in their glass. If there’s no alcohol, making sure everyone has at least water will ensure that every guest feels included in the moment.
  3. Get the attention of your audience. If you’re saving your voice for the speech, there’s the well recognized clinking of a glass that’s sure to quiet the room. As scary as it might seem to you, whoever or whatever you’re toasting to deserves a quiet room and an attentive audience.
  4. Speak clearly and loudly enough so that everyone can hear. It’s your moment to make the guest of honor shine, and it’s your responsibility to show the rest of the guests just why the honoree is so important. In my experience, a short, meaningful anecdote always does the trick. The emphasis here is on short. Chances are, if it’s your job to give the toast, you probably have a lot of stories to choose from, but you don’t want to lose the audience’s attention, so choosing your most meaningful memory will get the point across while keeping things short and sweet.
  5. Make eye contact. It can be nerve wracking to tell a personal story in front of group of strangers, so making eye contact with the honoree will help to remind you why you’re up there and why what you have to say is so important. With your eyes on a familiar face, you might even momentarily forget that there are strangers watching you.
  6. When you’ve wrapped up what you have to say, a simple “To <insert name here>…” and the raise of your glass will signal others to follow suit.

That’s it! Remember, the best toasts come from the heart, and, when appropriate, a bit of humor goes a long way. It’s completely natural to be nervous, but if you take a deep breath (or two) and follow these steps, you’ll be sure to make an impression.

Fresh Ideas for Gift Wrapping

Fresh Ideas for Gift WrappingIf you ask anyone who knows me they will tell you that when it comes to doing handy things, such as arts and crafts, I am like a monkey with five thumbs. This problem, of course, extends to gift wrapping. I can recall many times when I tried to wrap a gift with wrapping paper and the end result looked like it was done by a three year old. So, I guess I’m not the best person to give advice on traditional gift wrapping. I am, however, someone who likes to think outside the box (ha-ha). So, I did a bit of research and came up with a few non-traditional wrapping ideas:

One thing that I discovered (and is actually simple enough for me to do) is using linens as your wrapping medium. When I say “linen,” I should be more specific. Actual linen is, in itself, more of a fabric than a table cloth or napkin. Tablecloths, fancy napkins, and bed coverings are often generally referred to as “linens.”  What I am suggesting in terms of wrapping doesn’t actually require linen (although a nice sheer fabric may be the right choice). The idea of using “linens” as a gift wrapping medium refers to a variety of fabrics that can be used to help present a gift. For example, say you are giving your sister-in-law a scented candle. An easy way to “wrap” the candle would be to gather the linen or fabric (in the case of a candle, a linen napkin would work perfectly) of your choosing around the gift. Now, gather the remaining fabric around the loose material at the top and cinch it together with a tied ribbon. You could even cut the ribbon material from linen napkin fabric to add consistency. Using fabrics and linens to wrap small gifts in this way is simple. However, it is also possible to use a larger piece of fabric, such as a tablecloth, to wrap larger gifts. The method is pretty much the same. Simply fold the gift into the linen tablecloth and tie off the bunched end with a bow.

There are several reasons why using fabrics for wrapping paper is a neat idea. First of all, the massive amounts of patterns, colors, and textures that can be found on linen napkins and table coverings provides the potential for some really attractive wrapping ideas. In an earlier article I discussed all the ways that holiday printed table linens could be used to decorate a Christmas party. By using matching linen napkins or table coverings as your wrapping medium you can add an extra layer of style to a holiday party. Holiday printed linen napkins are a perfect way to deliver a small gift, such as a bottle of wine, without the hassle of traditional wrapping while still remaining stylish in your gift giving. It is also perfect for smaller gifts because untying a bow to remove a linen napkin creates less of a fuss than a usual unwrapping. So, if you are giving a small or small supplemental gift, you may want to use linen wrapping paper on all of those stocking stuffers.

It is also possible to digitally print photographs onto fabric. Personally printed fabrics are a perfect way to personalize your wrapping for each particular recipient. Just imagine Christmas morning; amongst the personal gifts that the family is rushing to discover is one large gift for the family, placed front and center and wrapped to display a family photo on the personalized linen wrapping paper. Another way to use personalized digitally printed linens is to wrap each gift with a photo of the intended recipient. Not only would this look cool, it may help to prevent potential disputes over gifts that were accidentally unmarked. While I realize that this would require a great deal of work in some cases, it is another way to convey the love that you are sending through the tradition of giving gifts for the holidays.

Finally, and perhaps the best part about using linen wrapping from napkins or tablecloths, by using a nice linen napkin or personally printed fabric you are, in essence, giving a gift wrapped in a gift. By using a more durable medium for wrapping you could be leaving the gift recipient with a nice linen napkin that could be used as a handkerchief. The suggestion I gave early about using photographic digitally printed linens would leave the family with a nice printed banner that could be used to decorate the house. Furthermore, using linen for your wrapping needs prevents the mess of paper and tape that always remains after a gift unwrapping session, especially if the linen wrapping was meant as an item for the recipient to keep. To encourage this, it may be good idea to wrap a set of small gifts with a matching set of linen napkins (perhaps even include a larger gift that uses a linen tablecloth as its wrapper). This way, there will be a matching set of linen napkins and tablecloth left over once the gifts have been removed.

These are just a few ideas I discovered that may help shake up your gift wrapping routine this year. Of course, traditional wrapping may have its advantages especially if the mall is offering free gift wrapping. However, the holidays are a time to be festive, and there is no better way to get festive than by getting creative with your holiday experience. And, with the simplicity of finding great linen napkins in all colors, patterns, and fabrics, you could really improve the presentation of your gifts this year. Just remember, even though it is commonly said that a book shouldn’t be judged by its cover, people usually do just that. Therefore, it couldn’t hurt to look into some alternative wrapping ideas this year.