My Fantasy Occasions Closet: Gift Wrap Edition

One of my favourite forms of background noise is Modern Family, which I've been binge-watching on shomi over the past few weeks.  In a particularly hilarious episode, Mitch and Cam were chided for storing all their tools in a pillowcase, while simultaneously dedicating an entire closet to gift wrap and party supplies. They called it the "Occasions Closet" and as soon as I heard those magical words, it went straight to the top of my wish list for my "someday" dream house. If you stopped by Chaucer & Lily last night for Hanukkah, you've already seen a few items I would stash in my ultimate Occasions Closet, but with Christmas on the horizon, I thought I would expand with some killer gift wrap picks as well.

Graphic Prints
Graphic prints are everywhere right now and I'm definitely not complaining. For starters, they look equally fabulous on their own as they do in the mix, which provides the perfect opportunity to spice up your holiday gift pile with some contrast and dimension.

I'm especially partial to wrapping paper in neutral tones due their infinite shelf-life, whereas "Christmas-y" alternatives in green and red can be difficult to re-use after December. This mix and match combo by Pei Design ($12) hits the nail right on the head, with a delicious inky ribbon to tie it all together.

With bold, juicy lines, the Swiss cross is unquestionably one of my favourite patterns this year. As Olivia Pope has taught us, everything looks better in black and white; needless to say, I went a little nuts over this plus signs wrap by Fig. 2 Designs ($12).

The black and white grid paper by thepaperkit ($9) is unfussy sophistication at its finest. This would definitely be a staple in my fantasy Occasions Closet.

I've been a fan of black and white stripes for years, but the added gold lines in this Paper Source edition ($29.95) elevates contemporary chic to the next level.

This gold foil dotted gift wrap from Paper Source ($7.95) is so glamorous that it's hard to believe it was printed on 100% recycled, 30% post-consumer waste paper. While it would certainly look darling on its own, I would be tempted to swap in the black, white and gold striped paper above for a truly stylish gift pile.

Marble

I've been obsessed with marbleized paper since I first spotted ferm's breathtaking marble wallpaper a few months ago. Another goodie from Paper Source, this gorgeous gift wrap will set you back $8 for the purple edition and $6 for the white and gold, adding instant glam to even the most basic Occasion Closet.


If you can't tell already, I'm a major sucker for anything black and white. Combining this classic, tried-and-true colour palette with trendy marble makes this paper from thepaperkit ($9) a solid choice for discerning holiday gift-givers.

Illustrations

I'm such a fan of illustrator Anna Bond of Rifle Paper Co. that I actually went out and bought a cell phone case featuring one of her designs. Naturally, I'm just as smitten with her extensive gift wrap collection, particularly the whimsical City Toile print ($8.50) and vibrant Emerald Peonies (also $8.50). Midnight Floral ($8.50) is arguably the most "Chrismast-y" of the bunch, especially when paired with a bright red bow – I can easily imagine Lauren Conrad using this particular combo to wrap over-sized mason jars filled with organic homemade apple crumble or something.

Animal illustrations can sometimes come off as childish, but the jet black background and creamy bow give this gorgeous wrap by clapclapdesign ($9) a sophisticated makeover that even adults will love.

Wishing you a happy holiday season! Check back soon for even more ideas and inspiration!

Happy Hanukkah!

It's now past sundown, which mean Hanukkah has officially begun in my timezone. Here are a few of my favourite finds for a style-savvy Festival of Lights:

This silver-plated brass menorah from Ricci Silversmiths is available at Barneys for a steep $650. It definitely isn't in my budget this holiday season, but is breathtaking nonetheless.

Modern Tribe's glazed porcelain "mountain" menorah ($225) is a bold and modern alternative to the traditional candelabrum.

Ombre hand-dipped tapers from Target ($12) add a contemporary touch to even the most ancient of celebrations.

For better or worse, no Hanukkah celebration is complete without gelt. These organic, Fair-Trade chocolate coins from Mama Ganache ($8.50) leave their waxy, tasteless counterparts in the dust. Bonus: the dark chocolate edition is 100% vegan!

Hanukkah is a way bigger deal stateside due to its proximity to Christmas and the desire of North American Jews to have something of their own to celebrate come December. In Israel – where I lived for a couple years – it's a much smaller holiday that's more about doughnuts (or "sufganiyot") than anything else.

These DIY doughnut hole pops from Tammy Mitchell Designs would translate beautifully into a Hanukkah-themed dessert spread – just swap out the red Christmas-y ribbon for blue, gold or silver and you're good to go!

Luc & Lilah Events had the charming idea of adding a circular "snow ball" tags, the perfect place to alternatively scrawl a Hanukkah greeting like "Chag sameach!" (Hebrew for "Joyous festival").

This "dreidel-tooth" bow-tie by Geltfiend ($39) is equal parts dapper and festive.

If you're planning to exchange eight nights of gifts, you'll a solid supply of wrapping paper to carry you through. Being a major fan of whimsical illustrations, I went a little nuts over this potato latkes gift wrap from Paper Source ($5.95).

Get little ones in the holiday spirit with Hanukkah fun wrap from LolliLink ($10). I would have been all over this as a kid.

This beautiful card by Anna Bond of Rifle Paper Co. ($4.50) struck a particularly sentimental chord with me because I grew up in an interfaith household where both Christmas and Hanukkah were celebrated (and still are, as a matter of fact!) The menorah adorned in coniferous foliage makes for a convincing Hanukkah bush or Christmukkah tree, but more importantly merges imagery from two traditions into one joyful illustration.

Another notable tribute to the shared holiday season, Art Speigelmann's iconic New Yorker cover ("Twas the Night Before Hanukkah") has been translated into a boxed holiday card set by the Jewish Museum ($14).

This cheeky "Menorah Blanik" holiday card from Modern Tribe ($16) would make for a wonderful addition to any fashion-forward Hanukkah celebration.

Chag sameach!