I don't remember who posted this, that their friend did this and made big bucks around Christmas, and several of us also think it's a fabulous idea! So would you all like to brainstorm together here and figure out the best way to set up our shops?

I'm thinking that charging by the price of the gift is a good way to think about it. Maybe... $1 for gifts under $50, $2 for up to $100, etc...? Surcharge for extra large packages? What do you think?

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Trust God. Whatever risk there is in doing so, the risk of not trusting in him is far greater. - Spurgeon

When I get this done at department stores, they charge based on the size of the item (and the type of wrap you choose - metallic is extra, etc.). That's really the best way. Charge based on how much wrap you will use. A cheap gift could still be in a huge package, etc.

PS - I admire your wrapping abilities. I don't think anyone would ever want to hire me for that task, lol. I get the job done, but I admire people that make the packages look really beautiful.

I keep trying to add to my post, but it keeps disappearing. Not sure what's going on.

Anyways, I was going to say you need to figure out what the costs are for the wrap and ribbon (cost per sq. ft.), and calculate what you will charge based on that. My DH and I do local farmer's markets to sell his foods (he's a chef) and we try to keep our costs to 30%. This seems to be a good figure (eg. if something costs us $2 to make, we charge about $6.50 for it).

The last time I paid to get something wrapped at the store it cost $6.95 I think. It was a cutlery set (wedding present for a co-worker). This was not a very big package.

makes more sense to charge according to size, rather than cost of an item. A $300 gift could fit in a jewelry box after all....just a thought.

........also, some people may not want to tell you how much they spent on Christmas!

With all that's going on with my husband, I'm totally going to do this! I would love to hear about the whole deal.
Do you bring them to your house?
Offer to do it at their house?
I like charging by size of package: do you charge a service fee plus materials fee?
I usually buy dollar store wrapping paper and bows. Should I buy better materials?
How do you keep track of what is for whom?
Do they bring the gifts to you or do you pick them up?
How do you advertise?

All I can think of right now....any insight would be appreciated. It's how I'll be able to do X-mas so I want to get started right now!!!

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Sarah

I don't have experience running this type of business, but I do know when I pay for wrapping service they use the good quality wrap. I don't think dollar store stuff would be good enough if you are charging people for it. You could offer a few different quality levels (eg. $4.50 for a shirt box sized package with wrap A, $5.50 for the same size with wrap B, $6.50 for wrap C).

Do you think anyone would be willing to pay someone to wrap their gifts for them, even if they don't know how to do the fancy bows?

I think this is a really cool idea, but I really wonder if people would be nervous about leaving their gifts with someone they don't know.

Lol, Christmas morning and the $5000 tennis bracelet he thought he was giving his wife is just an empty box in fancy wrap and the gift wrapper is off in Hawaii. I never thought of that one! Maybe your business has to be bonded? I guess I have a basically trusting nature - it never occurred to me not to trust the gift wrap service.