| No matter what the season, packages make a | | | | scrap paper for wrapping gifts later. Newspaper |
| statement even before they're opened. Whether it's a | | | | articles or photos depicting those to whom you plan to |
| hostess gift for that perfect holiday party, the perfect | | | | give gifts are great additions too. |
| something for your loved one, or Secret Santa at the | | | | When asked for some creative ideas for gift-wrapping |
| office, you want your packages to reflect the thought | | | | this holiday season, Ken Barnes offered these ideas |
| put into the purchase. Visit Historic Inns of Rockland, | | | | where the wrapping doubles as the gift.o Tie heirloom |
| Maine's Holiday House Tour held each year on the | | | | jewelry found on your trips to antique stores or church |
| Sunday after Thanksgiving, where among other ideas, | | | | fairs then wrap with Victorian-style wallpaper left over |
| you'll learn first hand from Package Creator | | | | from store-remnants. Wrap a deep colored velvet |
| Extraordinaire and Captain Lindsey House owner, Ken | | | | bow or tassles around the gift for a rich look. Better |
| Barnes how to create gifts that are bound to impress | | | | yet, create your own jewelry, hair barettes, or |
| everyone from the boss to your loved ones. The | | | | bookmarks out of beads or beaded ribbon collected |
| Holiday House Tour is part of Rockland, Maine's | | | | throughout the year.o Wrap cookbooks or kitchen |
| Festival of Lights, and Historic Inns of Rockland will | | | | items in pages from old cookbooks or the newspaper |
| feature workshops including Gingerbread House | | | | food section. |
| Making, Victorian Customs for Christmas, and | | | | Add a small set of measuring cups or spoons tied on |
| Packages that POP, along with tours of lovely historic | | | | with kitchen string for your favorite cook. |
| inns during this event, held from noon to 4pm on the | | | | For the hiker in the family, tie on a small compass or |
| Sunday after Thanksgiving. Tickets and information are | | | | water bottle.o Save newspaper articles announcing |
| available at | | | | those recently married and wrap their holiday gift in the |
| Captain Lindsey House Innkeeper, Ken Barnes spends | | | | wedding announcement. Tie on small framed photos |
| the year foraging for the perfect additions for his gifts. | | | | taken at the wedding.o Visit the local craft or floral |
| Recipients-in-the-know look forward to Captain | | | | shop and pick up bunches of dried or silk flowers, then |
| Barnes' gifts, not so much to see what's on the inside, | | | | fill a terra-cotta pot with packages of seeds, potting |
| but to learn what kind of statement he makes with the | | | | soil and wrap with ribbon, attaching dried or silk flowers. |
| package's wrapping. Captain Barnes' "wrapping closet" | | | | Tie on flower ornaments as an accessory.o Dress up |
| is a sight to behold, revealing spools of ribbon, | | | | wine bottles in doll clothes, creating a personality for |
| wrappings of all colors and textures, along with trinkets | | | | that bottle of wine you bring to the holiday party.o For |
| for just about any theme. | | | | the nature-lovers, wrap your present in florist's paper, |
| Ken Barnes' Six Secrets for Successful Packages:o | | | | then tie on pine cones and berries found in local fields, |
| Start on Christmas Day collecting left over ribbon and | | | | or create a small decorated natural grapevine wreath. |
| package accessories, and then continue to save | | | | Come see Captain Barnes at work during the Holiday |
| potential package accoutrements throughout the | | | | House Tour presented by Historic Inns of Rockland, on |
| year.o Designate a special box or closet for package | | | | the Sunday after Thanksgiving, 1:00pm to 4:00pm. |
| wrapping materials, organizing by paper, trimmings and | | | | Demonstrations including Packages that Pop at |
| accessories.o Think out of the box - literally - wrap | | | | Captain Lindsey House, Gingerbread Houses & |
| gifts in the gift itself including jewelry in jewelry boxes | | | | More at LimeRock Inn and Victorian Customs for the |
| or toys in a fun toy box. If space allows, save every | | | | Holidays at Berry Manor Inn will take place throughout |
| box that comes in the mail for wrapping in the future.o | | | | the day. Tours of the inns, decked in all their holiday |
| On your travels, stop by ribbon factories or craft | | | | finery will be ongoing from 1:00pm to 4:00pm. See for |
| shops. Buy odd lots or ribbon ends cheaply to save for | | | | information about the Festival of Lights package |
| a later occasion.o Visit church rummage sales or flea | | | | offeredby Historic Inns of Rockland, and for more |
| markets to pick up small pieces of jewelry, small toys | | | | information on the member inns. For more |
| or collectors items that fit your loved ones | | | | information,call 1-877-ROC-INNS (877-762-4667). |
| personalities. Save those to tie onto packages later.o | | | | BEAUTIFULLY PROFESSIONALLY SHOT PHOTOS |
| Save wallpaper ends, contact paper, cellophane, even | | | | AVAILABLE. |