The gift, definitely. Wrapping is an esoteric skill akin to folding a fitted sheet.
I get really excited when something I wrap looks nice, but mostly because with my hands it's a rarity
I thought it was the thought that mattered
I am one that rarely receives gifts so the thought of giving a gift should be really matters. You cared enough to think of me. The gift is just icing on the cake.
Depends on the person receiving I'd say. A great gift can be given in the store bag and still appreciated though.
A simple bow is fine, just makes things a bit more special
Does it matter how you say something, or only the words that matter?
It is the thought that counts. I couldn't care less how or if a gift is wrapped.
The extra thought is nice. I know my husband always had extra helpings of me. He made sure to consider the beautiful wrapping. It's all about presentation also.
I so rarely wrap anymore. I buy cheap gift bags, a bit of tissue paper, and let it go. The gift bags are reuseable too.
My family has a habit of giving gifts in bags, as we're all terrible at wrapping.
Being transmale, I see gift wrapping a big waste of time and money, but women seem to expect it, even if they simply toss the wrappings immediately.
Also gift giving for birthdays and Christmas is annoyingly silly. I agree with Sheldon of the Big Bang Theory that if you buy someone a gift, that person then feels obligated to give you a gift of the same monetary value, and the gifts are likely to be nothing either of you really wants.
My solution? Before a birthday, I ask that person directly which item (s) on Amazon they'd most prefer, then I have it gift wrapped and sent to their home with a card (all provided on Amazon).
They, in turn, know to just get me an Amazon gift card so I can keep happily buying Kindle books.
But, Sheldon is still right..our gifts just cancel each other out.
Big Bang Theory Gift Giving
Heck give them a towel with the gift and wrap it in that! (And a bit of ribbon).
I have two sisters who are so particular about wrapping. This year they finally realized my method of stuffing in a gift bag was So.Much.Easier! Also I feel gift bags are reusable and have no problem getting one I gave back.
I also spent one pre-Christmas wrapping gifts for people at a store. "The messier the better!" many told me - "They'll think I wrapped it!".
Only exception might be a ring - and the store will wrap that for you!
The gift to me. Some people seem to care about wrapping. I definitely don't.
It isn't the gift as such.. to me, anyway. It's the feeling behind it.