A Japanese-style wrapping idea - with materials available!

How quickly the time passes! Can you feel the buzz growing? It seems everyone is preparing for the festive time way ahead, almost as if to say “It’s not gonna catch me unprepared this time!”

It’s important to think ahead, so we don’t get overwhelmed by our to-do lists. But at the same time, it’s nice if we keep things simple too.

Mizuhiki - knots with meaning

These knots look simple, but so intricate at the same time! They all carry different meanings, depending on their shape, number of strands and colors.

I’ve been re-discovering the Mizuhiki Musubi (knots) as we’re preparing for a holiday surprise for you (I’ll tell you more about it soon!) and this particular one has caught my eye: the Ume Musubi.

It’s considered a basic knot as many other designs can be built on it. However, its meaning is anything but basic.

The gentle Ume blossom became a symbol of happiness and longevity as they are strong enough to grow in the cold of late winter/ early spring. In art, the Ume flowers represent elegance and dignity which is why they are often added in paintings or textile decorations.

In the art of gift wrapping, the plum blossom symbolizes the wish for closeness or a tight relationship between the giver and receiver. It's not a coincidence that the material used to re-create the Ume is in fact a special cord: the Mizuhiki.

You, too, can create this!

The Ume Musubi is delicate and benefits a lot from the simplicity of the wrapping design. The plain paper pleating also offers the perfect framing for the knot to stand out.

If you want to recreate this design, you can easily do so using the exact same materials, as they are available in the wrapping kit from Wrap & Tie. Yes, it will include the Mizuhiki decoration too!

And since we’re approaching the festive season, there might be some other little surprises inside, alongside the wrapping materials. 😊 (Pssst, don’t forget you have free international shipping when you sign up to the Wrap & Tie newsletter through the pop-up!).

Ready to give it a try? Enjoy!