Don't get unravelled over wrapping gifts

The countdown to Christmas has begun and in the race to get every gift bought, and every detail right for the ensuing holiday, we often forget one crucial step: wrapping the presents.

While some people may shutter at the idea of spending hours in crowded stores picking out presents, many others cringe at the idea of having to wrap all of their holiday ÿnds. That's why it becomes easy to forget about those sacks of unwrapped gifts hiding in attic eaves or lying low in the trunk of the car. But being present procrastinators won't get the task done. Wrapping gifts may take some time, but that doesn't mean it can't be fun.

Find your niche: Not everyone is a master gift-wrapper. But maybe there s a unique flair you place on your gifts that sets them apart from others ... a hallmark. It could be a certain type of paper, or an interesting gift tag. Discover your niche and embrace it. For example, professional gift wrapper Connie Rheas says that in her experience, "there are certain techniques that you must follow for a great gift but in the end, it's all about the bow." So maybe your niche can be creating fabulous bows to adorn the gifts you wrap.

There's fun in numbers: What's just about everyone you know doing this time of year? Shopping for and wrapping presents and attending parties. Why not marry the activities for a spectacular evening? Host a gift-wrapping party. Everyone volunteers to bring a speciÿc set of supplies and one person hosts the venue. Have snacks catered or simply order out for pizza. With the chatting and working going on simultaneously, you'll get through that mountain of gifts in no time.

Skip the paper and' go for the bag: Gift bags can be the time-crunched gift-wrapper s saving grace. These bags come in all sizes and require just about a minute's time of packing to make gifts look great. What's more, gift bags can be reused over and over. To further expand the recycling power of gift bags, choose solid-color or holidayneutral bags so that their reuse won't be restricted to Christmas. " Delegate: There is a quote by an unknown author that says, Some parents could do more for their children by not doing so much for them." This may be a good time to put this line of thinking to the test by enlisting the help of your children in wrapping presents. Naturally they shouldn't be given their own to wrap, but they can help out with other family members' gifts. It can be an enjoyable job for them, and it will lighten your burden.

up a wrapping : Sometimes the anxiety over wrapping gifts stems from the level of disorganization with which some people start the task. Take a few minutes to clear a space for wrapping. A table or another solid surface that doesn't require you to hunch over will be most comfortable. Lay out your supplies, such as tags, pens, bows, ribbons, paper, scissors, gift receipts, etc. so that they are within easy reach. Gather together the gifts that are going to each speciÿc person and wrap them in order. Later separate the wrapped presents according to whether they'll be placed under the tree or put in the car to travel to a friend or relative's house.

When all else fails ... : For a small donation, many stores offer complimentary gift-wrapping. Take advantage of this service. Shopping on off-hours will ensure the lines at the wrapping area will not be too long.

Holiday hours at local shopping hot spots
Unless otherwise stated, all the shops listed will be closed
for Thanksgiving (Nov. 27) and Christmas (Dec. 25).

Chapel Hills Mall
www.chapelhillsmall.com
Chapel Hills Mall will kick off the holiday shopping season bright and early on Friday, Nov. 28, opening at 6 a.m. and closing at 10 p.m. Extended hours continue through the weekend: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 29, and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 30. Dec. 1-12, the mall will be open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sundays. Hours are 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Dec. 15-21 and 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Dec. 22-23. The mall is open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, and 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Dec. 26. The mall then reverts to normal hours, except for New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, when it is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The Citadel Mall
www.shopthecitadel.com
The Citadel is determined to satisfy holiday shoppers with its extended hours this holiday season. The mall will be open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 28, the day after Thanksgiving; 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 29 and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 30.
From Dec. 1-6, hours will be 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday Dec. 7. Hours will be 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 8-13 and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14. Hours will extend even further to 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Dec. 15-23. On Christmas Eve, the mall will be open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The day after Christmas, Dec. 26, hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; then they revert back to regular times. On New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, the mall will be open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Old Colorado City
www.oldcoloradocityshopping.com
Throughout the holiday season, shoppers can stroll the festively decorated streets of Old Colorado City, including garlanded antique lampposts and a towering Christmas tree at South 25th Street and West Colorado Avenue. Though merchants set their own hours, stores are generally open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. Over the holiday season, however, some merchants may extend their hours. Parking is free every weekend in December, up to Christmas.

The Outlets at Castle Rock
www.outletsatcastlerock.com
Shop more than 120 name-brand outlets in one place at the Outlets. For the true shopaholics, the Outlets will have "Moonlight Madness" hours the Friday after Thanksgiving, opening from 12 a.m. to 8 p.m. On Saturday, Nov. 29, hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. From Dec. 1-23, hours will be 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sundays. The stores will be open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 24 and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 26-27, before reverting back to normal hours. For New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, the shops will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The Promenade Shops at Briargate
www.thepromenadeshopsatbriargate.com
Standard shop hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays. However, the shops are extending their hours to 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on the following special days: Friday, Nov. 28; Saturday, Dec. 13; Saturday, Dec. 20; Tuesday, Dec. 22, Wednesday, Dec. 23; and Friday, Dec. 26. Sunday hours will be extended to 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Dec. 7, 14 and 21. Hours are reduced to 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 24, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 31, and noon to 5 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 1.