Presents Par Avion

Nothing is more important to the lolita than presentation. Think about it: a dress is nothing without the right accessories, tea without a pretty cup is just a beverage, and flowers look best tied with ribbon. Plenty of girls sell their items or things they've made, making attractive packaging high on the list. And with the holidays coming up (oh God did I just say holidays?), it's a great idea to refine your presentation abilities for, well, presents. Here are some tips on adding that special elegance next time you send out a package!

First, make sure your item is in good conditions and fold carefully (if fabric), preferably so that the most attractive side faces outwards. Then, wrap the item in tissue paper. This keeps the item clean. Go crazy picking out matching or appropriate colors - red and green for Christmas, or pink and blue to match your item, let's say. Glittery paper or paper printed with different designs is also cute! Seal your wrapped item with a little decorative tape or a sticker. I used a glittery carousel pony sticker on my recent package, hinting at the dress inside ;) I like to keep a few lolita-inspired stickers kicking around for just this purpose! You can also use a plastic brand bag to wrap your item if you have one, especially if it matches the brand of the item you're sending.

Make sure to include a note (or a card if it's personal). I bought a notepad from Daiso for $1.50 that contains four different 'PRINCESS POODOLE' designs, which can be individually used for stationary. Use a pen with pretty ink to add a message. If you want to add an extras to your package, now is the time - a lot of sellers include small trinkets from their area, or just something sweet. I've been delighted to find small Japanese hard candies, a Hello Kitty key chain, even a few sheets of stationary. And make sure to include anything else, like if your item came with extra buttons for repairs.

So now, get out your package (box or padded envelope) and fit your item in. Seal the outside securely as specified by the local post. If you sell or send items frequently, you could get your own return address labels made up - find cute ones or design them on your computer with brushes or graphics. Then use your pretty inked pen to write out the address, maybe with another little sticker. Whenever I write an address, I make sure it's legible, but also with a few added hearts and swirls!

If you're sending a present, remember that you can also get decorative packaging supplies down at the post office. They're a little more expensive, but are a pretty punch of color compared to the usual white or brown envelopes.

So now you're all set! Receiving your beloved dream dress is one thing, but receiving your dream dress in a shimmery little package? Even better! It's like adding whipped cream to your cocoa. So I hope you give it a try!

photo by Karin Elizabeth on Flickr.

Labels: crafty loli, lifestyle

posted by Victoria Suzanne @ 11:49 AM