Gift wrapping evolved in the ancient Far East circa 2nd century A.D., when Chinese people used handmade paper to wrap gifts, and a decorative paper envelope known as a chih pao for monetary gifts.

The practice spread to Japan, according to several historical articles, including by hhhistory.com. In the 1600s, the Japanese developed furoshiki, the tradition of wrapping gifts in reusable cloth. Korea adapted a similar fabric wrapping tradition known as bojagi.

In the West, prior to the 20th century, people typically used simple materials such as brown paper, tissue paper or newspapers to wrap gifts. The Victorians, known for attention to lavish detail, began using decorative papers and laces for giftwrapping, though the luxurious approach was limited to the affluent class.

WRAPPING PAPER IN THE U.S.

Giftwrap in the United States started in Kansas City by way of serendipity. In 1917, when Kansas City stationery store owners Joyce and Rollie Hall ran out of tissue paper, they offered decorative French envelope-lining paper as a replacement. The patterned papers, new to the American marketplace, flew off the shelves.

Brothers Rollie and J.C. Hall saw an opportunity. They founded the Hallmark Company, printed wrapping paper since 1919 for the marketplace and essentially launched the multibillion-dollar American giftwrap industry. In the 1930s, they manufactured bows. In the ‘50s and ‘60s, Hallmark dispatched designers to demonstrate giftwrapping techniques and styles, popularizing the practice.

RIBBONS AND BOWS EMBELLISH

The Ribbon By Design website notes that ribbons originally were handmade from fine threads and consequently very pricey. The English considered ribbons such luxurious material they were reserved for nobility and upper-crust to signify wealth.

Ribbons took hold in the fashion world and as hair accessories and figured into the Victorian era.

Mass-produced ribbons for giftwrapping didn’t take hold until the 1930s, but today a gift without a ribbon appears naked. Colorful ribbons made of various materials display an almost endless array of motifs and designs for every season, holiday and occasion and can be personalized. Ribbons remain popular not only for gifts, but also hold the promise of visual appeal for crafts, awards and awareness campaigns.