Graphic by Eric DeFreitas
While we certainly don’t need to sell you on the merits of giving wine as a gift, even we will admit that gift wrapping a bottle properly requires more than a little bit of finesse—especially if you’re trying to disguise what it is. That doesn’t mean it can’t be done. You just need the wisdom of an expert.
Naturally, we tapped event planner, home decor store owner and gifting guru Jung Lee to show us the ropes on a variety of different bottle-wrapping methods, leaning on everything from classic wrapping paper to a sock (yes, you read that correctly).
Read on to learn the history of gifting wine, plus all the dos and don’ts to make your present perfectly presentable.
The History of Gifting (and Gift Wrapping) Wine
While winemaking dates back thousands of years, giving wine as a gift in America really only took off during the middle half of the 20th century, according to the Smithsonian Insider. Many actually credit Julia Child, one of the world’s first true celebrity chefs, with increasing wine’s popularity with the American public. She enjoyed toasting her audience with a “bon appetit!” and raising a glass. From the 1950s onward, American winemaking—and therefore, wine gifting—has enjoyed a meteoric rise.
