The Italian Wrapping Paper I Buy Before It Sells Out
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When I first saw Carta Varese wrapping paper a few years ago atGoods for the Study, McNally Jackson’s stationery store, it stopped me in my tracks. It seemed to be from another era than the rolls I buy at thedollar store: The patterns were ancient yet zingy, with colors so rich you’d think the ink was still wet.
After doing some research, I found out my instinct was right: The paper has been in production in Italy since the 1600s. Today, it’s manufactured in Florence using a printing process described by its distributor, the German companyCarta Pura, as “elaborate.” (If you’re in Munich, Carta Pura has astorefrontwhere you can ogle all its paper in person.) The sheets are run through a single-color machine multiple times, “a method reminiscent of silk-screen printing,” to produce densely saturated patterns. According to Carta Pura, the paper is primarily used for wrapping gifts, but it’s also “a very popular covering paper forboxes, albums, books, and booklets” and is also used to decorate dollhouses or as “cupboard paper” to line drawers.
The craft store 32 Degrees North has the widest stock of patterns, plus a ton of other charming holiday decorations, likemica glitter,Czech glass beads, anddie-cut foil stars. I like to order in November, since some patterns sell out. (The store recommends ordering by December 15 for the best chance of delivery by Christmas.) Two sheets of roughly 14-by-20-inch paper cost $8, so it’s precious enough that I use it only for gifts that are book-size or smaller. (For bigger packages, I’ll buy a roll from the dollar store orCity Papery.)
Putting in my 32 Degrees North order has become a holiday tradition: I’ll open a million tabs, then settle on three or four patterns I like together. I always end up using them — and not just during December. The patterns are so unique that they’re only contextually holiday-coded; a red pattern that looks Christmassy under the tree also works for a birthday in July.
The contenders
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Here are three patterns I’ve bought in previous years, which I considered rebuying this year. I love them all, especially the red-bandana print, but I must continue to surprise my gift recipients, so I closed the tabs.
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An interesting, vaguely floral pattern of asymmetrical sunbursts in a rectangular grid.
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This red geometric pattern reminds me of wax-resist dye techniques.
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I also really liked thismezzotintgreen basket weave.
What I bought
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I ended up with four botanical patterns, three brights and one brown: a lime-green weird floral, a red-flower pattern (a repeat purchase), a chocolate-brown palm print, and a dense ditsy floral.
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