This post was suppose to be about window treatments as a follow up to my description of Taparelli, but since it's Christmas and wonderfuly wrapped presents like these start showing up from friends and family, I thought I muse a bit about fabulous wrappings instead.

Italy is known the world over for it's class and sophistication, but when Christmas rolls around you really get  chance to see and appreciate it! Streets take on the warm glow of artfully placed lights and displays and once gifts are purchased, again by default, (so many things here are just standard!) every store where you shop will offer you the option to have your gifts wrapped. And boy, do the know how to wrap em, Martha Stewart would be pleased!

On this gift the paper used is not really "paper" but is a cross between paper and cloth, almost a handmade paper which makes it strong and difficult to tear yet still useable to create curled ribbon accents. Large wooden buttons, trim and gold frosted scatted leaves finish the look of the package. Presents end up looking sophisticated, unique and exciting, ready to pass on to that special someone. I think the most impressive thing about these wrappings in general, is the use of what I think of as "gut feeling artistry" a kind of built in intuitive design. Accents are inventive and randomly placed versus a rhyme or reason, aside (I feel like Americans think more in a "linear" more precise kind of way for example.) from an obvious use of color coordination. All this being said though, it is difficult here to go out and find your own unique paper and as a matter of fact would probably require a specialty store to score it in, a pain if you'd like to try a hand at DIY classy wrap design, but which during the Christmas season in the US, you can readily find in just about any where.

Still it's Christmas time and the moment someone hands you a gift wrapped with creativity like this, you feel a deep appreciation for calling this place home not only during the holiday season, but all year round. Italians do Christmas, like just about everything else, with style. This sense of style reflected in everything from clothing to cars, is the reason all the world is nuts about Italy and why after visiting Italy, you secretly hope that some of that style, rubs off on you!

Buon Natalie Everybody!