Thursday, 15 December 2022

Art Date With Rain -- "Gift Wrap"

I didn't make any art for today's art prompt from Rain, but I do have a story to tell.

About two or possibly three (*ahem*) DECADES ago, I bought a roll of penguin-themed Christmas gift wrap.

I thought it was quite nice at the time --


Unfortunately, it was an ENORMOUSLY HUGE roll of gift wrap.

And of course, it only got used once per year to wrap a present or two (because I like to wrap each gift in a different paper).

As the many, many years of its use rolled by, my sister grew to hate this gift wrap.

"For gawd's sake, just throw it out and get some new wrapping paper! It won't break the goddamn bank, you cheap bastard!" was the gist of her complaints.

Now, you know this only caused me to double down on ensuring the use of the penguin wrap for at least one of her Christmas gifts every single year! . . .  Hey, I'm a big sister. It's what we do.

But alas! All good things must come to an end and now the penguin gift wrap has FINALLY run out.

So here's this year's Christmas gift to her  --


And I know she'll think it's the best gift of all -- no matter what's inside it, LOL!

49 comments:

Sixpence Notthewiser said...

Hahahahaha
Oh, I knew there was a reason why I come sit in your corner of the web. Birds of a feather....
You are basically... me.


XOXO

jaz@octoberfarm said...

this is really funny! you must let us know her reaction!

Moving with Mitchell said...

Wouldn’t it be funny [to us] if you could find that [excellent] gift wrap online and order another 30-year supply?

Moving with Mitchell said...

I haven’t found the original. Just buy new penguin gift wrap on a silver background. Your sister will shit a brick.

Mistress Maddie said...

Quite nice at the time? Oh my God I freaking love that paper! Hell if you had it left I was going to tell you to send the remaining to me. I love it it's cute and has an old retro feel to it. Although I imagine if you received it every year that would be funny. Your sister sounds like a riot, so it doesn't surprise me that you defiantly went against her wishes and kept using the paper anyhow,lol!!!!

Mistress Maddie said...

Of course I meant to ask what was inside? I sure hope it's not penguin themed pajamas?

The Happy Whisk said...

Hahahaha, loved the line, “Hey, I’m a big sister. It’s what we do.”

I loved this story Debra. You got a HUGE smile on my face. Love that she gets the last one too. Brilliant.

Christine said...

That is so funny! I am the same, no waste!

NanaDiana said...

I LOVE it! It is something I would do! I envy you that you have a sister!!!! I always wanted one! xo Diana

Ellen D. said...

This is so funny! I like your penguin paper! I am a big sister too so I appreciated your story!
I am cheap and often buy paper that can work for other occasions - like stripes or polka dots or... That way I can use it year round!

Tundra Bunny said...

Oh, Debra, how could you do this to your little sister? Makes me wonder how her gifts to you are wrapped... you'll be lucky if they're not flaming bags of dogshit, LOL!

BootsandBraids said...

It's become such a tradition that sis will probably be sad to see the paper go. Were I she, I'd frame that front panel and gift it to you as a memento.

Bob said...

I would have done the same thing! Love it.

Martha said...

HAHA! Love this story. I have a feeling that your sister will miss this tradition in some ways.

Liz Hinds said...

I can imagine that's the sort of thing you'd do. But think of the money you've saved!

Pixie said...

Your sister will be so happy, best gift ever:)

Boud said...

I'm a youngest sister, and this is NOT FUNNY. That said I wonder if she's been keeping the paper to retaliate, I mean reciprocate..

Quinley said...

This is very funny. XD
-Quinley

Busy Bee Suz said...

Oh my. This is hilarious and I'm giggling away! These are the kinds of things that keep family bound together...or annoyed. You know what I mean!

Marie Smith said...

Lol. Good one, Debra! Waste not…

e said...

I don't have a sister but my friend Lisa fills that role. She and I have a very similar dynamic! I can picture this scenario playing out between us. If she insisted that I throw out that paper, I would have dug my heels in!

Instead, being a cheap bastard, I use the Sunday comic pages to wrap gifts (because I'm also an old fart who reads a physical newspaper and why should I buy colorful paper when I get free sheets every week?)

Love those penguins!

angela said...

My MIL did the same thing. Every year we saw the same paper
It really didn’t matter you hardly see it as it gets ripped off and thrown out We did used to giggle about it

Lady M said...

I am totally behind your commitment to not waste gift wrap. After all, it is perfectly functional and very cute.

yellowdoggranny said...

I needed that laugh so much..you made my day..thanks..

roentare said...

The gift wrap is so cute and artistic

Janie Junebug said...

A regular roll of gift wrap can last me 10 years or more now that I don't have kids.

Love,
Janie

DVArtist said...

Your post cracked me up. I do love the swearing. Thanks for the good laugh. Have a great day today.

Mike said...

Don't let the tradition die!
https://www.amazon.com/penguin-wrapping-paper/s?k=penguin+wrapping+paper

My name is Erika. said...

What a fabulous story. It made me laugh. I think the paper is pretty cute, but I guess after that long, it isn't a good holiday laugh any longer. And I know what you mean about being a big sister. I'm one too, but I only have a brother. He gets just as annoyed though. Have a great rest of your week. hugs-Erika

Debra She Who Seeks said...

@ Mike -- Thanks for the link to buy new penquin wrapping paper, you little devil you.

Joanne Noragon said...

My mother and aunt had this sort of contest to trot out every Christmas.

River said...

I bought a twenty metre roll of wrap one year, but five years later when it finally ran out I was so sick of the sight of it I was glad to use the last little bit.

Travel said...

I love it, buy more,

Tom said...

...I love the penguins.

The Blog Fodder said...

People still wrap gifts? I thought bags were the in thing. So easily reused if you can remember where you stored them.
In Ukraine we would sometimes give wine in a fancy material gift bag. Cost 2X for the bag what we pay for good wine.

carol l mckenna said...

That is too funny ~ but I do love the penguin wrap `Xo

Wishing you good health, laughter and love in your days,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)

Dixie @ Arranged Words said...


So funny!
I am sure the penguins will be secretly missed. lol

Polly said...

LOL, penguins are so cute. It would be funny if it was a book about penguins, or penguin scarf and hat! :-)

Adam said...

Reminds me of 1998 pokemon gift wrap that got apparently old as the years passed on

Andrea @ From The Sol said...

Oh, You are a hoot and yes, you sound like a big sister and your younger sister sounds like a younger sister. I was the younger in my family and taunting my sister became an art for me. And we loved each other to pieces in spite of it ... So love your story. Brings back many good memories ...

Andrea @ From the Sol

peppylady (Dora) said...

It is nice looking wrap.
Coffee is on and stay safe

Elderberry-Rob said...

how funny! I would have given it to someone else as it would drive me mad to use it every year, am with your sister! but I love the story :)

Fundy Blue said...

OMG! I laughed all the way through this, Debra! I, too, have a few rolls of wrapping paper that have hung around for many years because they were so big. You crack me up with the sister stories. There is nothing like siblings. They are a unique relationship and they are there always! lol

How do we know said...

You are the big sister of dreams!

NatureFootstep said...

love that paper and what you did to the last one. :)

Miss Val's Creations said...

What a riot! Your sister will secretly miss this wrapping paper.

LL Cool Joe said...

I'm with your sister on this one you cheap bastard! Lol.

Bracken Crafts- 100 garments said...

Yep! That made me laugh!

Rain said...

This was so much fun to read Debra!! ☺