Skip to Search Skip to Live Player Skip to Content Skip to Footer

Wicked Holiday Guide

Wicked Holiday Guide

Wicked Holiday Guide

Woman’s Hack For Wrapping Christmas Presents Is Pure Genius

Author Bob Bronson

Tis the season for…wrapping

So, you done all the shopping (online and instore) and now that the fun part is over it’s time to wrap all those presents up. If you are dreading the wrapping part of the holiday season, you might want to check out what this woman does to make the experience much more enjoyable.

We wrap them in our bedrooms, our closets or if you’re like my wife, you do all the wrapping in the basement. It’s not exactly the coziest place to get into the holiday spirit. The boiler coming on every 20 minutes on a cold winter’s day. No Christmas tree in sight, just the basic basement storage items.

Mom’s getaway place

I don’t know how she spends so much time down there. We don’t have a finished basement. Just a cold cement floor and an old desk that she takes over and it becomes Mom’s little Christmas Corner.

Sure, she has all the wrapping paper and boxes and scissors and tape. All the tools of the trade.

There has to be a better way

There are at least two kinds of moms. One loves to wrap and it shows with the beautiful tight and pretty presents that are the finished product. She will help anyone anytime that needs an assist and the other is the type  that doesn’t enjoy it as much and will put it off till a day or two before Christmas.

It doesn’t matter which of these two you are because there is a mom that has cracked the code and has come up with a hack that even someone that loathes wrapping can embrace.

 

You can check in

A mom on TikTok is going viral for planning her third annual gift-wrapping getaway at a HOTEL. She books a room for herself and leaves her kids at home.  That way, she’s got no distractions and doesn’t have to be sneaky with it.

It also doubles as a weekend getaway just when she needs one . . . at the most stressful time of the year.

She booked two nights last year . . . watched TV while she wrapped . . . ordered take-out . . . and drank a few beers.

People online are embracing the idea and coming up with tweaks.  For example, you could make it more affordable by joining up with a few other parents and renting an Airbnb together.  (NY Post)

 

That’s a wrap!

(Here’s her video from last year.)

@mckelligan

Second annual wrapping weekend! Booked a hotel for two nights, wrapped all gifts🎄, order takeout, watch tons of tv, and no one asked me for anything 🤶🏻. #momwin #wrappinghacks #selfcare #christmas #wrappinggifts #wrappingweekend #mrsclaus

♬ Candy Cane Lane - Sia

Bob is a native New Englander, growing up (sorta) in Maine where his love for radio started at a young age. While in high school he hosted radio shows on a local radio station, and he has never looked back. Bob joined the US Navy and served onboard the Sixth Fleet Flagship as a radio and TV host. After serving for 3 years, it was off to Emerson College in Boston. Bob hosted shows in Boston on WMEX, WVBF and WSSH in the 80’s and 90’s before heading to radio stations in Raleigh, NC, Manchester, NH, and New York City. Bob has been married for almost 25 years to Carolyn, a Woburn gal and they have 3 daughters, Nicole, Taylor, and Bridget. Bob and Carolyn are proud first-time grandparents to baby Caroline, who they plan to spoil every chance they get! “I started my career in New England and could not be happier to come back to Boston where I can root for all the Boston sports teams and eat lots of lobster rolls and clam chowder (okay not lots)… It is an honor to host the WROR morning show with LBF and wake up the World’s Greatest City!” Bob writes about recipes and restaurants, pop culture and trending topics.

10 Unforgettable Christmas Experience Gifts

Physical gifts can be cool for a moment, but the memories they create are what truly last a lifetime. This holiday season, why not do your friends and family a favor by skipping the usual physical presents? Maybe consider giving a unique Christmas experience instead?

An experiential gift is just as thoughtful as something you can hold in your hand. The difference is that it won’t end up gathering dust, getting re-gifted, or donated. That’s because experiences, whether it’s a subscription, an activity, or a class, let people give people memories. Whether the giftee does it on their own, with their family, or even with you, it offers opportunities for learning and exploration.

The possibilities are limitless with Christmas experience gifts.

If you’re searching for an exciting experience for adults or children, ther are lots of choices. You could start with something as simple as covering the dinner tab for a couple. Another option is going big by planning a fantastic trip as the ultimate gift for your spouse. For kids and teens, they can dive into fun activities. These can be learning to play an instrument or mastering the art of making their favorite dessert.

Another advantage of opting for experiential gifts is that they make ideal last-minute presents. They can be conveniently purchased online. And if all else fails, a gift card is always an option.

Let’s face it: most of the stuff we buy just because we like it or think we need it tends to fade into the background pretty quickly. This is especially true when they’re given as gifts. We’ve all had those times when we eagerly tore into a physical gift at Christmas or a birthday, only to realize it didn’t quite live up to the hype. It’s even worse when you know that time and money were spent on something you’re not too thrilled about.

Experiences can enrich our lives, contributing to personal growth and opening our minds to new horizons. Meanwhile, dust collectors, especially the ones from distant relatives, don’t quite measure up. You know that feeling, right? It’s like saying, “Thanks, Aunt Rose, but I could’ve done without that Christmas scarf and hand lotion from the buy-one-get-one special at the mall.”

So, when the holiday season or other celebrations roll around, and you’re stuck with gift-buying, consider giving experiences instead of physical items. To help you get started, here are some experiential gifts that would make great Christmas gifts.

  • Memberships

    Gifting an annual membership to a zoo, museum, aquarium, or perhaps, for those aged 21 and above, a wine club or mug club membership can make for a wonderful holiday gift. It’s a simple and thoughtful gesture that can benefit almost everyone this season. Offering your friends or family several months or a full year at a location they cherish is an excellent method to provide them with extra savings and a valuable present they can enjoy throughout the year.

    Indonesian girls pointing at python in terrarium

    DragonImages/ Getty Images

  • Outdoor Experiences

    Offer the gift of a year-long adventure with the America the Beautiful Annual Pass. This pass grants free entry to all 115 National Parks with entrance fees, along with over 3,000 other federal lands. The pass includes the pass holder and up to three accompanying adults (aged 16 and above), with free admission for children under 15. Similar passes are available at various state parks, city and county parks, as well as botanical gardens nationwide, either for online purchase or directly on-site. It’s a thoughtful present for anyone who enjoys the outdoors.

    National Park Service sign with snow Zion

    Mike Lewis/ Getty Images

  • Personalized Celebrity Videos

    Imagine the excitement of receiving a personalized video message from your beloved celebrity, something you can hold onto for a lifetime. Cameo provides a platform where you can hire celebrities and athletes to create personalized videos, making them memorable gifts. The pricing for Cameo videos is set individually by thousands of actors, artists, and influencers and can range from as low as $1 to as high as $15,000 for personal videos, depending on the celebrity’s status and demand.

    Excited attractive hispanic couple laughing having fun together while texting and using social media during christmas looking happy

    Antonio_Diaz/ Getty Images

  • Movie Gift Card

    It’s reassuring to know that you’re offering your loved ones something they can personally choose and appreciate. Movie gift cards are a great option as they usually have no expiration date and can be used to buy movie tickets and concessions at the specific theater or theaters from which they are purchased. The recipient can use it for any movie they desire, without having to dip into their own funds.

    Close up popcorn and movie paper tickets with light mall background

    dontree_m/ Getty Images

  • Amusement Park Passes

    Consider giving tickets to a theme park amusement park as one of the most enjoyable experiential gifts. When presenting tickets as a gift, there’s room for creativity in how you package the gift, whether in a sizable wrapped box or as part of a unique scavenger hunt.

    Shot of young friends riding roller coaster ride at amusement park. Young people having fun at amusement park.

    Jacob Ammentorp Lund/ Getty Images

  • Indoor Attraction Passes

    There are plenty of enjoyable indoor activities to explore, including options like indoor rock climbing, trampoline centers, indoor skydiving, game centers, arcades, and escape rooms. A gift of this kind can be especially convenient for those times when you’re looking for indoor entertainment, especially during bad weather.

    Pretty girl and her daughter kid jumping on colorful trampoline at playground park and smiling. Beautiful family during active entertaiments

    Zheka-Boss/ Getty Images

  • Concert or Show Tickets

    Concert or show tickets are a great gift choice. They provide a one-of-a-kind experience and make for a thoughtful way to celebrate your best friend and their interests. Even if they’ve seen the band before, each performance is unique and memorable.

    Happy festivalgoer and his girlfriend taking selfie in front of a stage during music concert at night.

    Drazen Zigic/ Getty Images

  • Sporting Event Tickets

    If you have a sports enthusiast in your circle, giving them tickets to a baseball game is a thoughtful gesture to express your care. It’s also an excellent means of enjoying quality time together while rooting for your favorite team. To make the experience even better, you can go the extra mile by including a food voucher along with the tickets.

    The imaginary stadium is modelled and rendered.

    efks/ Getty Images

  • Self Care Experience

    Offer the perfect gift of relaxation and beauty, whether it’s a spa day, a massage, a facial, or a visit to the salon for hair styling, a wash, or a manicure and pedicure. Depending on the recipient, this could be something you can enjoy together. It’s an opportunity to unwind and connect, spending quality time together, catching up on life, sharing some laughter, and reminiscing about the past.

    Close up portrait of beautician's hand massaging patient's face with jade roller at spa salon. Beauty woman face skin care. Body care, spa.

    Strelciuc Dumitru/ Getty Images

  • Classes or Lessons

    Lessons in various experiences, such as cooking classes, dance lessons, or sewing lessons, can be beneficial to many. This kind of gift is well-suited for people who enjoy learning and trying out new experiences. By gifting classes or lessons, you provide someone with an additional means of self-expression.

    Active teenagers performing salsa dance inside studio.

    JackF/ Getty Images

Author Bob Bronson
Category:
Tags:
,

More Bob Bronson

Load More