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| Sunday, 10 April 2005 |
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Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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It's all in the wrapping by Chamitha Kuruppu A gift symbolises thoughtfulness and consideration. If you ever believed that selecting an appropriate gift to suit the occasion is the foremost factor in gift giving, then you are mistaken - because sometimes a gift's wrapping and presentation can be more important than the gift itself.
The colour theme, type of material used and the design itself will reflect the relationship between the gift giver and the recipient, while hinting about the gift without disclosing it. 'Tsutumi' in Japanese means wrapping. The word means 'to refrain' or 'to be discreet or moderate'. In simple words Japanese gift wrapping means 'less is more'. The Japanese believe that it is impolite to carry an unwrapped gift. Objects are never transported openly but always enveloped in some fashion. This has led to the development of the techniques of gift wrapping. Each and every unique and beautiful Japanese gift wrapping technique has a different story to tell. A nicely pleated gift symbolises joy. A gift with pleats facing directionally to the left means celebration. Combining two materials to wrap the gift is believed to bring good luck. An elaborate gift wrapping with many layers will always symbolise a formal relationship. The more layers are used, the greater the social distance between the gift giver and the recipient. Paper and fabric are the most commonly used materials for Japanese gift wrapping. Fancy boxes and fashionable containers are also used for the purpose. The Japanese always makes it a point to carry the wrapped gifts in a paper bag to keep them out of sight until offered to the recipient. Colour symbolism is another important aspect of gift giving. Gifts wrapped in red symbolises vitality and life. Black and white are used with special knots for occasions such as funerals and weddings. The knots used to tie these gifts cannot be untied, which means that these events occur only in a person's lifetime. Even though many Japanese wrapping methods are complicated there are techniques that can be managed easily. So the next time when you are getting a present, try your hands at some of the Japanese gift wrapping techniques and let that special person realise that for once you have not done a last-minute slap-dash job. |
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| Produced by Lake House |
According to the Japanese, where gift wrapping is considered an important
aspect of their culture, the manner in which you wrap and tie a gift carries
a symbolic message. 
