Packing perfect presents

MANILA, Philippines - Somewhere in the sprawl of Greenbelt 5, right in front of a Banana Republic outpost, stands what could be the answer to every harried holiday shopper’s most fervent prayer: Tie Me Up, Buttercup. Since it opened in 2009, the family-run retail outlet has become the go-to place for everything one needs to turn plain presents into full-blown treats.

“We want to provide alternatives to the usual gift-wrapping options, and hopefully show that something presented creatively and more thoughtfully need not cost a fortune,” says Iya Santos, who along with her mother, Bubut de los Santos, and sisters Anne Katigbak and Katrina Florencio, oversees the store and helps source its cheerful products. “The element of surprise should be there, and the giver should know that you cared enough about them to make a little effort to pretty up your gift.”

The glories at Tie Me Up, Buttercup are enough to make anyone with the slightest Martha Stewart streak positively goggle-eyed. To wit: There are over 200 types of grosgrain, satin, organza and metallic ribbons in various colors, rub-proof prints and widths, available for purchase by the yard, by the roll (from P175) or in specially-designed ribbon dispenser gift boxes. These can eve be customized with your company name or logo, basically any type of text in the font of your choice.

Wrap options galore

Then, to go with the rolls and rolls of sturdy European specialty paper (P145-P285), there are personalized tags in grosgrain ribbon or sticker form (P145-P250), handmade craft tags (from P75) and stick-on bows (P175-P185). With Christmas a few winks away, those who need help with unusually-shaped items can count on Tie Me Up, Buttercup’s die-cut gift bags (P195-P325), printed cellophane (P255), wine boxes (P150) and – to the relief of ninongs and ninangs everywhere – double-lined money envelopes with clay accents (P125). From England come holiday cards (P155-P220) unlike anything you would find at your local bookstore and Advent calendars (P300-P475), fresh from the ladies’ latest shopping trip.

“We’re really glad to offer all-occasion materials which in themselves make tasteful presents,” concludes Iya. “We have clients who say they’ve used our ribbons as hair ornaments, or as bookmarks, scrapbooking material and even trim for lampshades.” While it’s true that the thought is what ultimately counts, how you pack that thought is, of course, just as important.

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Tie Me Up, Buttercup is located at the Ground Level, Greenbelt 5, Ayala Center, Makati City. Tel. 5422914, mobile 09062433577, find them on Facebook or visit www.tiemeupbuttercup.com for more details.