My very first job was wrapping Christmas presents in my small Alabama hometown, and I still get a thrill today making fancy bows atop pretty paper. Whether readers prefer to wrap their own gifts or hope someone else steps into the fray, everyone's main goal is to entice the recipients each time they view their presents under the tree.
Statistically, Americans spend about three hours papering, boxing and tagging gifts. While some retailers wrap for free, others have discovered paid wrapping can be a pretty nice revenue source; consequently, shoppers aren't always certain beforehand which type of service they'll receive.
The following is a partial list compiled by Consumer Reports and other sources to help make up your mind whether to buy a lot of gifts at a particular store for this free service or, perhaps, just one or two that cost extra and may provide more punch.
(NOTICE: Each December, volunteers wrap gifts at Hamilton Place mall to benefit Chattanooga's Kids on the Block, a local charity that uses puppets to empower special-needs children and teach them the skills to stay safe and healthy. Monetary tokens of appreciation award the shopper with beautifully wrapped gifts, a big smile - look for mine at Hamilton Place Mall on Dec. 23 - and warm fuzzies for your heartstrings as you drop your contributions into the donations jar.)
Freebies
1) Barnes & Noble: In-store wrapping is gratis, but be prepared to pay $4 per item.
2) Bed Bath & Beyond: A half-in-half solution, BB&B provides boxes, good looking paper, bows and ribbon onsite for customers to wrap their own purchases. Online costs $4 per eligible items. (The stores also offer other occasion, free gift wrapping for those of us who don't mind trying our hand at tempting packaging.)
3) Jared The Galleria of Jewelry: This sparkle-laden company offers a free box with wrapping paper and ribbon. Even better, it doesn't charge for wrapping online purchases.
4) Nordstrom: Stores give shoppers free boxes, paper and other supplies but charges for online gift wrapping with $5 and $2 selections. (Check Nordstrom.com for specifics.)
5) Von Maur: Great shopping here as both in-store and online purchases come wrapped at no extra cost.
6) Williams-Sonoma: A free box, paper and ribbon per gift helps your wallet, but be prepared to pay $6 per box with the same accouterments online.
7) Gap: Like Bed, Bath & Beyond, the store offers free do-it-yourself wrapping. If you elect to purchase online, expect a free box, paper, tissue, ribbon and a gift card for $5.
Not so much
1) Amazon: Size and shape are the big determiners at this mammoth site. Items, such as a sweater, a hardcover book and a coffeemaker, cost $3.50 per article. To be on the safe side, look up your desired purchase to check wrapping price; most arrive in a wrapped box or gift bag with ribbon and a card.
2) Apple: While the company offers online wrapping only, it's more than just paper. For $5, buyers get signature wrapping but, even better, they can engrave a personal message on the back of purchased devices free.
3) Best Buy: Depending upon size, expect to pay $3 to $6 for a gift bag. Online charges are $5 for a decorative box with tissue paper.
4) Dillard's: A wrapped box with ribbon (depending on size) runs $4 to $7 in-store; if an online purchase, expect to pay $6 for a gift box only.
5) JC Penney: While boxes come with purchase (upon request) when buying in store, online buys run $4 per package, though each comes with paper, ribbon and gift tag.
6) L.L. Bean: Free gift boxes are obtained in store, but shoppers pay $6 for a gift box with tissue paper, ribbon, and a card.
7) Macy's: Local store prices depend on size, location of store, and other factors. The New York flagship store, for example, wrapping ranges from $6 to $16; $6 will cover a gift box and ribbon if the gift is bought online.
8) Sears: No in-store wrapping, but for $5, an online gift is wrapped or gift-bagged and includes a card.
9) Walmart: As with Sears, no in-store wrapping is provided, but some items are wrapped free online; many others run $4.
10) Target: No gift boxes if purchased in store; however, eligible items online cost $6.
11) Williams-Sonoma: In-store purchases come with free boxes, paper and ribbon. Online costs $6 per box and includes wrapping paper and ribbon.
12) Kohl's: Online wrapping is available for $6 per box.
13) Old Navy: $5 gets the customer a box, ribbon, tissue and gift card but just for online purchases.
14) Land's End: Zip service for in-store gifts but a gift box, bow, tissue and gift tag can pretty up a package for $7.
If your store of choice isn't on today's list, always ask about wrapping prices before you spend a pile of dough online or at a company's brick-and-mortar location.
Contact Ellen Phillips at consumerwatch@timesfreepress.com