Wooden packaging that adds elegance or personalises gifts

In the desire to make a gift as beautiful and attractive as possible, we think, almost equally, about both the gift and the presentation. There are various possibilities: glossy paper bags or bags made of newsprint or wrapping paper, baskets made of wicker, decorated cardboard boxes. Using decorative wooden packaging can make a gift look spectacular.

Packaging as valuable as the object it protects

Some packaging boxes are so well made and so beautiful that they end up competing with the gift itself. I remember watching the show Dallas back in the day (because there really wasn't much else ☺) and being mesmerized by the wooden cigar boxes. They looked so good it didn't matter what was inside.

Over the years we were lucky enough to receive a cigar box from a friend. As you can of course imagine, for me the real gift was the "packaging" - a very nice wooden box. It's a heavy box, probably made of an exotic wood, unfortunately too covered in finish to identify the design. The finish is uniform, the wood is walnut colored and the stain is silky smooth. The lid has a metal part that personalizes it. The hinges are discreet and a plush "bed" is made for the cigars inside.

Even though it was just packaging, I kept the box. And now, more than 10 years later, I love it just as much.

Packaging can come in all shapes, colors and finishes

There are special wooden boxes for a wide range of objects: wine bottles, jewelry, pens, teas, spices, coffee and the list goes on. Usually very high quality wood is used, special species such as walnut, cherry, oak, mahogany or other exotic species. They are well polished, without roughness, with a pleasing grain. The wood is sometimes left in its natural color or stained, even painted. The varnish can range from very matt to very glossy. They are fitted with elegant, sometimes discreet, beautifully crafted hardware in neutral colors.

Just as popular as those described above are the simple boxes that resemble old crates or recycled boxes. It is this contrast between the precious object and the ordinary box that makes the gift even more attractive, even funny. The wood used is less precious, resinous, lime or poplar, and the finish is as simple as possible, almost non-existent, or mimics simplicity. Even the sanding is not as fine.

Again, the wood can remain its natural color or be stained. There are also white versions with a varnished look. Patination, if used, is done to give an antique look to recycled boxes or crates. The coat of varnish is thin, possibly skipped here and there. The hardware is simple, looking makeshift - a crooked nail as a lock, a latch, pieces of leather tacked into studs as hinges. Such boxes have a certain charm, but it's best to give them to someone who appreciates such 'pranks', otherwise the effect will be lost.

A gift is always received with joy, regardless of the presentation. But it's even more enjoyable when the presentation is elegant or includes a little joke.