Holiday wrap sheet
MANILA, Philippines - For the inveterate shopper, the business of buying giftwrap is no small trifle. It’s either a no-holds-barred holiday endeavor or a flat-out yuletide boycott. Are you a festive woman of the times or a relic from Scrooge’s day? The choice is yours. You be the judge; we’re content to play jury.
Call it an obsession with externalities — be it a super-sized shopping bag or an ergonomic shoebox — the care and thought that goes into a well-designed package can be as rousing as the discovery of its content.
Just in time for the holidays, we asked a few of our favorite people to share with us a little holiday gifting magic. With charm, a sense of humor, and in our case, a sprinkle of fantasy, a thoughtfully wrapped present can be just as giving as any actual gift.
Here at YStyle, it’s not always what’s on the inside that counts.
Blue Carreon for Blue Carreon Home
YSTYLE: Can you tell us about your present?
We decorated Blue Carreon Home with a wintry mix of beaded and crystal ornaments, also vases spray-painted with twigs. I wanted to incorporate these elements into my giftwrapping. Our brand colors are gray and white, with the addition of couture-like Christmas ornaments instead of the usual bow, the flourish of twigs gave our presents a glamorous feel.
What’s in the boxes?
Our client is someone who has everything. It’s a matter of finding unique and special pieces; like a 24K gold-plated serpent magnifier that recalls jewelry from Bulgari or a cabochon coral bookend that is exquisitely handmade. For gifts for the hostess, Blue Carreon Home has a selection of candles in ceramic containers with toile and cameo designs.
Where can we find you?
Blue Carreon Home is located on 2F Century City Mall.
Geof Gonzales of RabbitHole Creatives
YSTYLE: Can you tell us about your present?
It aims to be a sonnet.
Beyond physical and three-dimensional.
A counter-proposal.
What’s in the box?
Perspective. And a sprinkle of hope.
Where can we reach you?
Through their passions —
e-mail us at rabbitholecreatives@gmail.com.
Elyoo Dela Cruz and Erwin Hilao for FoldYard & Co.
YSTYLE: Can you tell us about your present?
We thought of incorporating pop-up design with the giftwrap but couldn’t think of ways to make it stand, so we attached a pop-up greeting card on the box lid. We wanted to keep it simple but we ended up with snowy grass and a Christmas Yeti (who is also a recurring character from our very first project.)
All materials are made of paper.
What’s in the box?
Elyoo: Hurraw lip balm.
Erwin: Elven ears.
Where can we reach you?
Email us at foldyardandco@gmail.com.
Tinay Villamiel for Bleach
YSTYLE: Can you tell us about your present?
I am always inspired by cargo packages. I had fun doing it this time for my Christmas presents. I used craft paper for the wrapper and printed a holiday slogan using cargo typography. For the stickers, instead of the usual warning symbols, I used Christmas icons. I used olive and light gray cotton tape for the ribbon.
What’s in the boxes?
Right now I enjoy giving away gifts for the home. It’s either DIY decorations or quickie craft packages.
Where can we find you?
Bleach is at 2F Greenbelt 5.
Jackie Cohen Antonio for Chibi Momo
YSTYLE: Can you tell us about your present?
We usually use lots of signature peach-colored ribbon and whatever festive holiday materials we have on hand. We try to be as environmentally friendly as possible while still delivering elegant children’s style.
Where’s the box?
Most of our gift items come in unconventional sizes and can’t seem to fit in a regular box or shopping bag, so we try to think of whimsical ways to present them. This season we have loads of stuffed animals to select from - books and wooden toys are also traditional gifts you can’t go wrong with.
Where can we find you?
Chibi Momo is 2F Century City Mall.
Ito Kish for KISH
YSTYLE: Can you tell us about your present?
I used the paper we designed which is the “Bukid” wrapping paper. It is part of my collection and we sell it at KISH. It’s very Pinoy, our own version of “Toile de Jouy.” I incorporated other local and organic elements such as rattan as it’s ribbon and dry eucalyptus for the scent, accentuated with a paper ribbon. I design as a Filipino, and so that is the result of how I want to wrap my gifts for the season.
What’s in the box?
Local sweets.
Where can we find you?
KISH at 233 N. Garcia St Bel Air II Makati.
Rossy Yabut-Rojales for Heima
YSTYLE: Can you tell us about your present?
Our presents were inspired by our interpretation of a house party. Heima recently launched its “Life is a Party” collection and the elements were also the same inspiration for our look book. Garlands, fringes and confetti were used. We love color! We used colored paper, added a few Christmas balls and sparkle. Gold nail polish was used to add pattern to paper. The garland was used as the main gift-wrapping detail. It’s colorful, fun, and crazy! You can also reuse the wrapping to decorate your wall
after opening the gift.
For calligraphers, a quick and easy way to decorate is just to add your message directly to the gift wrapper. And for a quick DIY, print a marble print on bond paper and you’re good to go.
What’s in the boxes?
For this holiday, it’s all about spending time with family and friends. Most of our gifts are focused on decorating a part of your home. Think pillows,
design books, or a room scent.
Where can we find you?
Heima is at 2F LRI Design Plaza, Makati and Unit 103, Three Brixton Building in Pasig City
Matet and Missy Esguerra of E-vents
YSTYLE: Can you tell us about your present?
The way we wrap our holiday presents is always random. It always depends on what’s available in our piles and piles of craft items at home. For these boxes, we used craft paper, printed paper from Japan, chalkboard pens, ribbons and Christmas ornaments.
What’s in the box?
We like to give personalized gifts to our friends and family. From monogrammed totes from Cabaña Workshop to personalized gift cards that we make, or handmade toys for kids from Le Pomme.
Where can we reach you?
You can reach E-vents at 0920-9649055.
Ricky Toledo and Chito Vijandre for AC+632 and Firma
YSTYLE: Can you tell us about your presents?
For our gift for Rupert Evans, the inspiration is Victorian. We used reusable canvas material, excess passementerie used for upholstering chairs and padding walls, ribbon in striped black and grey silk, and Bordeaux velvet silk flowers. The gift card is reusable — a crystal studded picture frame with Rupert’s photo.
For Daphne Guinness, we went Filipiniana with the wrapping, using pieces that are actually gifts in themselves — a raw silk shawl, a vintage banana fiber scarf, embroidered piña handkerchief, brocade ribbons, silk flowers and a cross brooch of emeralds and rubies. Daphne’s photo is also in a crystal studded picture frame.
What’s in the boxes?
A bespoke embroidered and beaded tie, which we made just for Rupert, and a 19th century English silver tea service from AC+632. For Daphne, Wynn Wynn Ong’s one-of-a-kind simulated bark minaudiere in hand-forged metal with Palawan peacock pheasant clasp set with Brazilian green amethyst, peridot, sapphire, tourmaline and a long tail of peacock feathers, available in Firma.
Where can we find you?
AC+632 is at 2F Greenbelt 5 and FIRMA is at 1F Greenbelt 3, Ayala Center, Makati.
