MCEAP present-wrapping station opens for 25th year

Lisa Bass
Contributing writer

Look back to the classic images of Christmas and you will see images of Santa pulling wrapped presents from his sack.

There is something magical about wrapped gifts under the Christmas tree that builds anticipation. With limited time or just dislike for gift wrapping, the Montgomery County Emergency Assistance Wrapping for a Reason booth at the New River Valley Mall can help create that holiday magic with beautifully wrapped gifts.

This weekend will be at least the 25th year that this wrapping booth will be open for business with volunteers helping to carefully wrap gifts of all sizes and support the efforts of the MCEAP program.

The leading reasons for disliking wrapping presents: it takes too much time, forgetting a supply, paper rips, presents are too difficult to wrap and it is such a big job.

With the lack of time and rushing around during the holiday season, Consumer Reports polls showed Americans typically devote around three hours to boxing, wrapping and tagging gifts. Furthermore, men do not get a lot of satisfaction from wrapping, with 37 percent saying they do it as quickly as possible because they do not enjoy it.

Half of men surveyed said they feel annoyed, frustrated or intimidated by present wrapping. Less than a third of women feel the same way.

MCEAPs Wrapping for a Reason can be a resource for all holiday gifts wrapping and a great way to support a vital community resource.

All proceeds from this seasonal booth benefit Montgomery County residents in need of emergency food, clothing, utilities, rent and mortgage assistance year-round.

The New River Valley offers a great variety of retailers with pricing to attract shoppers. There are people who prefer the hands-on method of shopping and deal searching.

Any purchases from any store can be brought to the MCEAP Wrapping for a Reason. The booth is easily located in the center of the mall for any wrapping needs. Prices range from $1.00 if you bring the box to $8.00 for an extra-large item that needs a box before wrapping.

Many people would rather shop online with its 24/7 convenience and shipping options. Many of those ecommerce sites offer gift-wrapping with prices varying depending on size and shape of the item.

If an item cannot be wrapped due to size and shape, a gift bag may be offered during the ordering steps. Consumer Reports researched the gift packing of major retailers and found a wide range of stylish, shabby, sloppy, self-promoting and tasteful results.

MCEAP Wrapping for a Reason booth offers a wide variety of gift-wrap styles, bows and ribbons to choose from. Volunteers will wrap any online orders to demonstrate that the giver had the time and effort to present a gift in a way that is sentimental and personal to the receiver.

MCEAP Wrapping for a Reason is a New River Valley tradition for the holidays. Gift-shoppers and givers can view http://bit.ly/Wrapping18 for the hours the booth will be open.

If any individual or group who likes wrapping presents and wants to help this community cause, use this link to sign-up for a shift and spread the holiday spirit all year round.