Gift Wrapping

Every year, we look forward to the joy of giving Christmas gifts to our loved ones. Finding the perfect present for a friend or family member is exciting, but wrapping it in vibrant, festive paper adds an extra touch of delight. And gift wrapping isn’t just for the holidays—it brings joy to birthdays, weddings, baby showers, and so many other celebrations, too.

Why Do We Give Gifts?

The first recorded wrapped gifts date back to the 1300s. Early gift-wrapping methods didn’t even involve paper.

The earliest known form of gift wrapping was done with fabric. In traditional Korean folk religions during the Three Kingdoms period, wrapping items in cloth was seen as a symbol of protection and good luck. Giving a gift wrapped in fabric was a way to offer both to the recipient. Another tradition is the Japanese style of wrapping gifts in cloth, called "furoshiki," which has been practiced since the Tokugawa period in the 1600s.

Even the three wise men who brought gifts to baby Jesus wrapped their gold, frankincense, and myrrh in treasure chests, not in plaid paper. Perhaps this is why we associate gift wrapping with Christmas, although it’s used for most gifts year-round.

The History of Wrapping Paper

How did we get to the modern wrapping paper we use today? It likely all started with the popularity of Christmas cards in the mid-1800s. People began sending paper holiday cards in Europe and America, which eventually led to the printing of decorative tissue paper to match the card designs. By the early 1900s, holiday cards and wrapping paper became extremely popular in the West.

The invention of modern gift wrap can be attributed to Hallmark. In 1917, the Hall brothers ran a stationery store in Kansas City, printing cards and tissue paper for the holiday season. When the tissue paper ran out, they began printing large rolls of decorative wrapping paper, similar to what we use today. Within two years, Hallmark was producing and selling gift wrap nationwide.

The tradition of gift-giving began long before today’s modern holidays. People in ancient times exchanged gifts on special occasions and often wanted to keep the contents a surprise. Historians believe that wrapping gifts in paper started in ancient China, shortly after the paper was invented around 100 BCE.

However, the colorful and decorated wrapping paper we know today is a more recent invention. Over 100 years ago, gifts were usually wrapped in simple tissue paper or thick brown paper. Before that, cloth was often used.

Mass production of decorative gift paper became possible in the early 1900s, when Hy-Sill Manufacturing Inc., founded by Eli Hyman and Morris Silverman in 1903, became the first American company to produce wrapping paper.

Wrapping gifts wasn’t as easy as it is today. Since tape wasn’t invented until 1930, early gift wrap had to be skillfully secured with string and wax seals.

Over the years, gift wrap has evolved into the colorful varieties we see in stores during the holiday season and beyond.

Today, Americans spend more than $3 billion on gift wrapping each year. And not only on Christmas - it’s popular all year round.

Our Selection

In our stores, you’ll find a wide variety of gift wrapping options, including paper kraft gift bags, matte or metallic cellophane sheets, synthetic silk fibers, fabric paper, ready-made jewelry bags, and wrapping paper with glitter and other decorations.

Price Range

All types of gift wrap available at EM ART come at low and affordable prices.

Why EM ART?

EM ART is a chain of hobby and craft stores with an established reputation among hobby enthusiasts. We offer a wide range of hobby, art, and craft supplies for both professionals and beginners looking to discover a new hobby.

At EM ART, you’ll find everything you need for your next project or hobby.

EM ART promises fast delivery and top-quality products.