Definition of gift wrap

The term "gift wrap" is a relatively modern phrase that has gained popularity along with the commercialization of gift-giving. It refers to the practice of covering a gift with decorative paper, ribbons, and other embellishments before presenting it to the recipient. The origins of gift wrapping can be traced back to ancient times, although the methods and materials used were vastly different. In ancient China, for example, gifts were often wrapped in silk and tied with ribbon or silk cords. This tradition was also prevalent in Islamic cultures, where gifts were often wrapped in printed calico or silk and tied with a ribbon or tassel. The modern version of gift wrapping, as we know it today, can be traced back to the Victorian era in England, where it became popular among the upper classes as a way of displaying one's wealth and social status. Wrappings made from elaborate patterns in silk and expensive paper embossed with additional decorative motifs like flowers, fruit baskets, or scrollwork, were popularly known as "fancy papers." The trend spread to other parts of the Western world, including America, where the use of decorative wrapping papers became widespread in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The term "gift wrap" itself appears to have originated in the mid-20th century, during the post-World War II era, as the commercialization of gift-giving increased, and gift-giving became an essential part of holiday celebrations. Retailers started stocking gift wrap, embellishments, and gift bags, making it easier for people to wrap presents in style. Hence, the phrase "gift wrap" became commonly used and widely recognized, often in conjunction with or in place of "gift presentation."