The practice of gift-wrapping Holiday gifts is a relatively new tradition. While Christmas cards were sent in the mid 19^th century, it wasn’t until years later that Holiday wrapping caught on.
Early years of gift giving date back to the Romans. Gifts were given to one another around pagan celebrations, such as the Winter Solstice and Roman New Year. Years later, gift
giving became associated to the celebration of Christmas and connection to the Wise Men who brought gift to Jesus at his birth.
Early gifts were wrapped in tissue with white ribbon or heavier brown paper. In the 1890’s with the development of the printing press, folded decorative papers were produced and rotary systems allowed paper to be wrapped around cardboard rolls.
In 1903, Hi-Sill Manufacturing, founded by Eli Hyman and Morris Silverman, become the first American gift wrap company. America’s giant wrapping name, Hallmark, stumbled upon the gift-wrapping marketing by accident. In 1917, the Hall Brother’s offered red, green, and white tissue paper but sold out in their Kansas City, Missouri store a few days before Christmas. They ventured into the backroom and found decorative envelope liner. They brought it out to the selling floor and recommended as gift wrapping paper. It worked beautifully! They sold out and offered a wider selection the next year.
As they say, the rest is history!