A staggering 15 percent of Britons loathe wrapping gifts for loved ones – but at Christmas time residents in one UK city have finally admitted they are simply terrible at it. A new nationwide poll of 2,000 UK adults by The Motor Ombudsman – a respected expert on all things motoring – asked residents whether they were any good at the festive present wrap.
Sunderland came out top where a massive 38 percent confessed they are simply terrible at it – followed by Edinburgh (29 percent), Coventry (28 percent) and Liverpool (25 percent) didn’t fare well either. On the flip side, folk from Swansea rate themselves as the most proficient wrappers in the UK, with Mancunians in close second place. Nationwide, as many as 67 percent become annoyed if wrapping doesn’t go their way.
Common niggles are not being able to find the end of the tape (51 percent), the tape sticking in the wrong place (39 percent), paper running out (35 percent), cutting sheets too small (30 percent) and rolls of tape running out, due to overly generous use (29 percent).
One in five (21 percent) hate being faced with a round present, while 17 percent say nothing is worse than putting a finger through the paper.
It’s no surprise that when things don’t go their way, 33 percent have been known to tear up the wrapping paper in annoyance, 28 percent have hurled the tape, 22 percent have shouted, and 13 percent have even stormed out of the house.
Giving some tips Jane says: « When wrapping a box, use double‑sided tape, as it will give a professional finish and seamless look. Ensure you don’t have too much excess paper, as it will be more difficult to wrap.
« For awkward gifts, choose a flexible material such as fabric, tissue or cellophane, as it will mould around the shape more easily than paper.
« Wrap really bulky and large items in a paper tablecloth. It is much easier than joining paper and is inexpensive.
« For extra‑large gifts, use plain brown packing paper as a base, then add a strip of decorative or Christmas print across the middle, and finish with ribbon. This will make a cheap, eye‑catching feature and ensure the ribbon doesn’t look lost on the item.
« Write your tags first and place them on top of the presents you are wrapping, as there is nothing more annoying than wrapping several gifts and not remembering who they are for!
« Add finishing touches to your presents, including fresh foliage, baubles, feathers and recycled Christmas decorations.
« Be organised and buy lots of supplies early, including non‑Christmas wrap that can be used all year round. You always need more materials than you think, so bulk buy.
« Inject some personalisation to really give the ‘wow’ factor. You could tie in dried flowers for a gardener, wrap in music scores for a musician or photocopy old photos for a school friend.
« If you are running short of time, bundle a couple of gifts together. A stack of presents looks very effective and will save on materials. »
WORST WRAPPERS IN BRITAIN:
Sunderland – 38 percent (HATE wrapping / aren’t very good):
Edinburgh – 29 percent
Coventry – 28 percent
Liverpool – 25 percent
Southampton – 24 percent
Cambridge – 23 percent
York – 22 percent
Newcastle – 21 percent
Nottingham – 20 percent
Sheffield – 19 percent
BEST WRAPPERS IN BRITAIN:
Swansea – 26 percent (LOVE wrapping – are excellent at it)
Manchester – 25 percent
Leeds – 23 percent
Bristol – 22 percent
Birmingham – 21 percent
London – 23 percent
Leicester – 22 percent
Birmingham – 21 percent
Cardiff – 20 percent
Norwich – 20 percent
