Nowadays there is such a variety of gifts in stores for every taste and budget that it is difficult to surprise anyone with them. Therefore, handmade gifts have become increasingly popular lately. On the Internet you can find many sites with an original presentation of a wide variety of offers - from handmade to “crazy hands” - when choosing, everything will depend on your preferences in searching for one or another option.
“Every gift, no matter how small, becomes a great gift if you give it with love.”
W. Walcott.
In our article we will look at the original packaging of a gift bottle of alcohol. And if you think that such gifts are given only to men, then you are very mistaken. Alcohol in our time plays not only its direct role, it is also collected. Therefore, it can be given to both a woman and a man, taking into account their preferences. What’s better: going on a visit just with a bottle of good cognac, for example, or packaging it in such a way that it brings aesthetic pleasure to the person to whom you give it? Agree, the second option will be much more pleasant. In addition, non-standard packaging of a gift bottle will emphasize the eventfulness of the holiday.
You can, of course, buy special gift bags for wine, especially since their selection in stores is now simply huge. But it will be too ordinary and simple. Therefore, we arm ourselves with our imagination and begin to bring the most daring ideas to life.
Paper decor
Method one
As you can see from the five-minute video, the original packaging required:
- corrugated paper of three colors;
- some beautiful satin ribbon;
- scissors;
- ruler;
- glue gun
You can experiment with paper and tape - it will turn out impressive in any case. And this is just one of the ways to beautifully package a bottle of champagne, and there are hundreds of them.
Method two
Another original option for holiday packaging of a bottle of champagne made from paper. The decor can be made from any available materials that correspond to the festive event - in this case you will need:
- corrugated paper;
- flowers;
- balloons;
- braid;
- tinsel;
- glue gun
“Happy is not the one who receives a gift, but the one who gives a gift.”
Chinese wisdom.
Method three
Original champagne decor with candies wrapped in golden foil.
For this we need the following “ingredients”:
- champagne;
- candies (about 70 pieces);
- green corrugated paper;
- scissors;
- glue gun
Champagne and its analogues
As in the case of cognac, France is undoubtedly the trendsetter in the field of champagne. It is there, on chalky and clay soils, which have no analogues anywhere in the world, that the best grapes grow for the production of excellent sparkling wine.
Remember that champagne is not a general term that refers to all sparkling, pearl and sparkling wines. This term is protected by French law as the name of sparkling wine produced in a clearly defined territory from grapes grown only there. Everything else has the right to be called sparkling wine.
To our great joy, there are also good gift options among them. Many countries produce proper sparkling wines made using classical technology similar to that of the Champagne region. This method is called “secondary fermentation in a bottle.” Only this method of producing sparkling wines guarantees a good result.
On store shelves you can look for sparkling Spanish wines (Cava), Italian (Prosecco and Asti). Sparkling wines of excellent quality are produced in Germany. Sparkling wines from Chile, Argentina and even South Africa have good taste.
For those who love sweet wines, sparkling Martini and Cinzano (made in Italy) are suitable. However, only the brut and dry categories can be considered true classics. This is why semi-sweet and sweet wines are not produced in the Champagne region. French champagne on the world market is represented by the best examples of the Veuve Clicquot, Moët and Chandon, Dom Perignon, Piper-Heidsieck, Mumm, Krug and some others.
From satin ribbons
Here's how unusually you can decorate a bottle of cognac in gift wrapping for a military man.
For work we will need the following materials:
- cardboard;
- polyethylene;
- satin and silk ribbons of the desired colors;
- small accessories (stars, buttons);
- threads for fastening;
- scissors;
- pencil;
- ruler.
At first glance, everything is simple - we take a bottle intended as a gift and wrap it with a silk ribbon, imitating a military outfit. The “tunic” and “cap” can be green, blue, black - the choice is only yours and your vision of the final result. For the “shirt” you will need white satin ribbons, for the tie – a black ribbon. We will also need “golden” shoulder straps with stars and buttons.
It is important to carefully and tightly wrap the bottle with ribbons and securely fix each element of the “uniform” so as not to damage the original packaging by the time the gift is given.
Step-by-step instruction:
- Wrap the bottle in plastic, secure with threads, and make hangers out of thick cardboard.
- We use a white silk ribbon to “construct” the top of the “shirt”. For a tie, take a narrower piece of black ribbon, shape it and secure it under the collar of your shirt.
- Start wrapping the jacket with black satin from the neck, fixing it with glue. When you reach halfway, carefully pull out the plastic and continue wrapping the bottle until the end.
- On suitable pieces of cardboard, glue ribbons of golden color for the base and black for the transverse stripe. Use a glue gun to secure the required number of stars in the correct order. The shoulder straps are ready.
- We fix the buttons for the jacket with a glue gun. At your discretion, you can decorate the jacket with a medal and aiguillette.
- We cut out the necessary circles for the cap and visor, cover them with pieces of black tape and decorate them with a button or star.
The decor is finished, the packaging is ready. The recipient will certainly appreciate your diligence and attention to detail - after all, we all know well the proverb “It’s not the gift that’s precious, it’s the attention.”
"Curly" bottle
You can pack the bottle in gift paper in an unusual way. Place the container on the paper. Cut a strip twice its size in length. Wrap the bottle in paper, securing the bottom with a stapler or tape. The long top should be cut into thin strips, not reaching the neck of the bottle. It turns out fringe. Use decorative cord to tie the paper where the bottle ends. Using a pencil or scissors, “curl” the fringe into spirals. The unusual “curly” bottle is ready!
"Curly" bottle
From fabric
If you have a piece of beautiful fabric, it will be perfect for festive draping of a bottle of alcohol. All you need is the fabric itself, a string or ribbon to secure the neckline and accessories for decoration (optional).
This is the easiest way to decorate, which does not require a lot of time and financial expenses from you. Such ideas look simply gorgeous and it’s absolutely certain that your gift will be appreciated.
Blended whiskey
Blended whiskey is the drink that rules the world. This is the most popular and widespread type of whiskey. It is made by mixing two different components: malt and grain. Blended whiskey can contain up to 20 different blended malts! The main raw materials for grain varieties are corn and wheat. You can often hear that blended scotch is inferior in quality to single malt. This statement is not entirely justified: the higher the percentage of malt component in the drink, the higher the quality of the whiskey. The recipe for blended scotch was invented in the mid-19th century: at that time, this discovery was truly revolutionary in the production of whiskey.
When choosing blended whiskey as a gift, pay attention to the main classification:
Standard blend
The most affordable type of traditional blended whiskey. If you have a small amount for a gift, it is worth considering this type of blend. The most famous representatives of this type of whiskey include, first of all, the following brands:
- Glen Clyde 3 Year Old;
- Queen Mile.
Standard blended whiskey is a high-quality, worthy drink and a more economical gift option. A win-win option for a holiday, as a compliment or gratitude.
De Luxe Blend
This whiskey is aged for at least 12 years, has a pleasant aroma and a rich, more complex taste compared to standard whiskey blends. The most famous deluxe whiskeys:
- Glen Clyde 12yo
- Chivas Regal 18yo
Whiskey in this category is perfect as a gift for a hero of the day or for an official celebration (for example, the anniversary of the founding of a company, on the occasion of receiving a new position, etc.).
Premium
Premium whiskey - here the name speaks for itself. This is a drink with outstanding taste characteristics, long aging and often bottled in a single copy and/or in designer bottles specially created for a particular drink.
This is a desirable piece for collectors and experts. Such whiskeys are kept in private collections and exhibited at auctions. An expensive, exclusive gift for a special occasion.
Bourbon
The American version of blended Scotch whiskey is called bourbon. This is grain whiskey made from corn. Why corn? Actually, because it is the cheapest and most accessible raw material in the United States. In the production of bourbon, any additives or colorings are excluded. The alcohol is kept in disposable oak barrels, which are fired before use. Thanks to this technology, the drink acquires a smoky taste. Interestingly, this type of whiskey is quite popular in Russia. A bottle of elite bourbon as a gift will be appreciated by a person prone to experimentation, progressive and broad-minded. Bourbon is perfect as a birthday gift for a business partner or boss.
Irish whiskey
A whiskey gift from an Irish producer will be appreciated by a true fan of the drink. Unlike its Scottish counterpart, this whiskey has a milder taste. There are three main types of Irish whiskey:
- Clean;
- Single malt;
- Grain.
Often different types of aged spirits are mixed, thus obtaining the well-known blended whiskey. Thanks to its expressive and at the same time mild taste, Irish whiskey is often present in the alcohol lists of restaurants and pubs and serves as the basis for several popular classic cocktails.
The softness of the taste of Irish whiskey makes it a favorite of women connoisseurs of strong drink; Therefore, if you need to give a strong gift to a lady, choose this one. Pay attention to West Cork Irish whiskey, the line of which is presented in full in Moscow only at the World of Whiskey.
Knitted decor
If the gift is intended for a woman who is good with knitting needles and crochet, then the idea of knitted decor will come in handy. The most diligent donors will knit a gift cover themselves, taking into account the character of the person to whom this drink, dressed in a knitted fur coat or coat, will be given.
Creative people will make it simpler, but the result will be no less original packaging. For example, you can cut off the sleeve of a favorite but no longer used sweater, place a bottle in it and carefully seal the seams using various fitting techniques.
Minimum effort - maximum pleasure, right?
Comic option
To cheer up the friend to whom the gift is intended, you can approach the packaging in a non-standard way: for example, buy tall, bright socks, place a bottle in one of them, and tie the other around it.
The material uses images from the following sources:
Paper Guru Channel
Evelyn T
kalasdags.se/blogs/zilloman/
gables.blogspot.ru
nashvillewrapscommunity.com
Sequin decor
Another original “packaging” option is decorating with glitter. Such a bottle can be safely given not only for the New Year, but also for any significant event - anniversary, wedding, engagement, homeland and christening.
This luxurious decor will not leave anyone indifferent and will not cause problems in your work:
- First, remove all labels from the bottle;
- place an unnecessary sheet of paper or fabric under the bottle to be decorated;
- arm yourself with a can of aerosol paint of the desired color (gold, silver, multi-colored);
- spray glitter twice from a distance of fifteen cm for even coverage;
- let dry.
Remember to protect your hands with gloves. This way they will remain clean and the decor will not be damaged by fingerprints.
An elegant and elegant gift is ready.
“Creativity washes away the dust of everyday life from the soul.”
Pablo Picasso.
Understanding dry wine
Experts distinguish classic and new world dry wines in the world of expensive drinks. The classics include high-quality European varieties, in which the bouquet and aging time (bottle and barrel) are valued. Thus, red wine “Margaux”, “Pauillac”, “Saint-Estephe”, “Châteauneuf-du-Pape”, etc. is in great demand.
Among the Italian ones, the highest places are occupied by Barbaresco, Barolo, Amarone, Chianti Classico and Brunello. But on the Spanish market, “Penedes”, “Rioja” and “Ribero del Duero” are held in high esteem.
Pink and white wines play differently. They have a lower percentage of alcohol, which makes them easier to perceive and are considered a wonderful gift in the summer heat. White wines can be light or dense. The former are characterized by a fresh aroma (with floral or fruity notes), a pronounced taste, sometimes with spicy or nutmeg undertones. These include Provencal dry Rieslings and Spanish drinks made from Alabariño grapes.
The latter - “full-bodied” - are revealed gradually due to a long stay in barrels. Names such as “Puligny”, “Chassagne-Montrachet”, “Meursault” will lift the spirits of any connoisseur of fine wine.
Decoupage
Decoupage lovers have access to many techniques for decorating bottles. This is a special, creative process that will require you to be patient and attentive to all the nuances.
Types of decoupage:
- napkins for decoupage;
- cloth;
- toilet paper;
- vintage accessories;
- skin;
- eggshell;
- shells.
As you can see, the scope for creativity is inexhaustible. Everyone has access to one or another technique for decorating bottles of alcohol. The main thing is your desire.
Rum for connoisseurs of traditions
This version of alcohol will appeal to those bosses who love the unambiguous, pronounced taste characteristic of rum and bourbon.
When choosing rum, remember that the best drinks in this class are produced in Cuba, Guadeloupe, Jamaica and Puerto Rico. Among all the possible options (white, gold and dark), it is better to give preference to dark rum, since its aging exceeds 5 years.
Good options would be:
- Fans of soft fruity notes will love it;
- Hispaniola rum aged 5 years. This is the famous Dominican rum, which has a mild taste due to a complex filtration system during production.
Gift sets with alcohol
Another original way to package alcohol is to make a set with it. You can use any ingredients:
- smoked salmon, trout or salmon, fish sushi, blue cheese, smoked chicken, oysters, shrimp, mussels and a bottle of whiskey;
- noble varieties of cheeses, Swiss sweets, dark chocolate, coffee beans and a bottle of cognac;
- a jar of red caviar, hard cheeses, deli meats and half a liter of vodka;
- hard cheeses, blue cheeses, shrimp, mussels, fruits, raw smoked sausage and 0.7 liters of red wine;
- different types of cheeses, fruits, seafood, pastries and a bottle of good white wine;
- nuts, chocolate, exotic fruits, citrus fruits and a bottle of liqueur.
You can put such sets in baskets of different sizes: boxes made with your own hands, or purchased in special departments of stores. Decorations include beautiful bandaging ribbons and soft toys. You can add cigars, a themed book, pocket backgammon, fresh flowers, Christmas tree decorations, a couple of glasses or wine glasses to the gift set.
Your desire to make a gift extraordinary and memorable will bring pleasure not only to you, but also to the person for whom it is intended. Therefore, the time spent on making an exclusive cannot be considered lost; on the contrary, the level of your creativity will rise even higher by one step with each new creation. Live beautifully, create for the joy of yourself and others.
To a man
For men, choosing packaging is always more difficult than for women.
In the box
One of the most suitable and optimal solutions for cognac packaging is a box. You can buy it, or you can make it yourself.
For the craft you will need:
- The shoe box is quite durable;
- paper filler;
- cardboard;
- packaging or craft paper;
- chocolate bar or figured chocolate.
How to do:
- To begin, secure the box with masking tape.
- Cut out the cardboard backing and place it inside.
- Cover the box and lid with packaging or craft paper.
- Paper filling is placed inside. If there is none, then cut corrugated (crepe or colored) paper into very thin strips and crumple it, simulating filler.
- Cognac is placed in the box and a men's dark chocolate bar (possibly with rum or other additives) is beautifully placed next to it.
If the width of the packaging box allows, then put another glass of cognac inside. A small signed card is placed next to it. Tie the box with a satin ribbon of a suitable color.
In the basket
One of the most common ways to give alcohol to a man is to place a glass container of alcohol in a wicker basket. The basket is purchased at the store. For those who are interested in weaving from paper wicker, you can suggest making it yourself.
- Place paper filling in a durable basket with a good strong handle and, following the compositional idea, put cognac (in the middle). Place a can of coffee, chocolate bars, fruit and anything else at your discretion next to and on the sides.
- They give it as a gift or pack it in a transparent material with the contents and tie a satin ribbon bow on top.
In the box
A fresh idea for packaging alcohol is a miniature and beautifully crafted/painted box with a long handle holder (shaped like a tool box). It can be purchased in special stores, or it can be made with your own hands by those who are friends with wood and carpentry.
In a paper suit
- A black men's jacket with a white collar, bow tie and buttons is made from colored paper or crepe paper.
- They put a bottle of wine in this costume (with glue) and give it to the birthday boy.
What else can you give?
There are many unique alcoholic drinks that embody the traditions of the producing countries, and the recipes for their preparation are kept strictly secret and passed down from generation to generation.
Among them:
- Riga Balsam will be a good gift for a woman of Balzac age. It can be consumed in its pure form or added to tea or coffee.
- An excellent herbal-infused Czech Becherovka or German Jägermeister would be a useful gift for both women and men.
- Sherry is suitable for mature men who know a lot about this drink, or, on the contrary, for those who like to try something new.
- Madera and Porto will undoubtedly delight all those who prefer lower strength drinks and want to enjoy a glass of strong wine.
- Cahors as a gift is always appropriate for a person of deep faith. The best option would be Kagor from Massandra, for example, Yuzhnoberezhny.
Who is cognac suitable for and how to choose it
Cognac will appeal to connoisseurs of a soft and multifaceted taste. In general, this option will be a win-win, because expensive and aged cognac can at least become a source of pride for the recipient. The main difficulty lies elsewhere - where to find a really good drink that can be classified as elite.
The first rule when choosing cognac is: always buy alcohol in specialized boutiques, stores or from an exclusive dealer. Only in this case can you be sure that you have purchased a real aged drink and not a counterfeit.
You can also check the quality of cognac during the purchasing process. For this you need:
- Review the label. It should not contain any traces of glue. Pay attention to the markings too. The higher the “star” rating of cognac, the better, because the number of stars corresponds to the years of aging (VS - 3 stars; VSOP - 4; VVSOP - 5; XO - more than 6 years of aging in barrels).
- Check the consistency of the drink. To do this, just turn the bottle upside down and watch how the liquid inside drains. High-quality and aged cognac leaves a special mark on the walls, similar to that of liquid honey.
What can we advise beginners in the selection of elite cognac?
This is a great example of a French drink created from exceptional grapes. It is known that Napoleon himself preferred this drink.
French cognac on the crest of a wave
In a sea of cognac, France rules the roost. She has been the undisputed leader and progenitor of cognac production for many thousands of years. It is on its unique soils that the best white Ugni Blanc grapes grow, which are able to give the world the splendor of this drink. Cognac is born in the region of the same name, in the Charente department. The drink of royalty and emperors, knights and midshipmen, it makes anyone who touches it fall in love with it from the first sip.
Interesting fact:
Cognac production in France is strictly regulated by the state. Even a small drop of a drink that goes against the legal regulations, technology or blend can significantly affect the name of a particular manufacturer, among whom there is fierce competition and they value their reputation very much.
French cognacs are the best choice
Any cognac produced in the Cognac region (a French city in the Charente department) is a guaranteed quality product.
Let's name five great cognac houses, any of which can take first place:
- Popular Hennessy,
- Chic Martel,
- Aristocratic Otard,
- Noble Courvoisier,
- Harmonious Remy Martin.
All of them deserve attention and any of them can give true pleasure.
In fact, there are many more producers in the Charente region and they all keep the recipe for the blend of their drink strictly secret. Whatever French cognac you buy as a gift, know that in your hands is true gold with a centuries-old history, which you are not ashamed to give to a respected person.
As in the case of Russian and Armenian versions, the best examples of the creation are French cognacs of the XO (Extra Old), Extra, Gold Reserv, Napoleon categories. Before appearing to the world in all its glory, they mature in the best oak barrels for an average of 20 years. That is why their taste is so mature, round, oily, rich, soft, and does not burn the taste buds. In old cognacs, the smell of alcohol is practically absent; they capture the aromas of heather honey and oak bark, and their taste contains the sweetness of dried fruit and vanilla notes. An incredible number of epithets describe this drink: divine, elegant, refined, soft, round, full-bodied. Real cognac is a magical melody that you want to listen to endlessly!
Painting
On the eve of the holiday, buy a special paint that can be applied to glass. The paint is not destroyed by water because it has a stable base. Take a bright paint color, then the bottle will look festive, but tasteful. Place the bottle, cleared of the label, on a piece of unnecessary paper, it could be an old newspaper, for example. Apply paint with a brush or from a can onto the glass. Wait for it to dry completely and after about 1-2 hours, coat the glass with a second coat of paint. Next, rhinestones, snowflakes cut from napkins and other small details are suitable for decoration. Distribute the elements over the entire surface of the bottle, secure with double-sided tape or superglue.
Important! When you paint a bottle, open the vents and windows in the house, and don’t forget to wear gloves so as not to get dirty.
Types of whiskey
There are several types of whiskey, which differ in the principle of production. Among them:
• malt whiskey (Single Malt) produced by one distillery; • malt whiskey from a mixture of products from different distilleries (Pure Malt). Single Cast Malt, or single-barrel whiskey, also applies here.
Sometimes they also consider a classification that takes into account the raw materials for making a strong drink - for example, they talk about barley, corn, wheat whiskey. If the bottle is marked Blend, this means that the whiskey is mixed - for example, the product contains both malt and barley whiskey.
Pure grain whiskey contains the Grain label on the packaging. It is found quite rarely, and in terms of cost it is the most expensive of all varieties. It also has 3 types:
1. Single Grain – whiskey from the same enterprise; 2. Grain Single Barrel - a product from the same barrel; 3. Pure Grain – a mixture of products from different enterprises.
All these characteristics are important for true connoisseurs of good alcohol, so when purchasing whiskey in London stores, it is a good idea to pay attention to the corresponding marks on the packaging. They also indicate the authenticity of the product
The most popular and most sought after brands of whiskey from different manufacturers are listed below.
Vodka Absolut
Premium white is produced under the Swedish brand Absolut. For its production, alcohol of the highest purity is used. Water from artesian wells. The taste is softened using a unique technology, the details of which are kept secret by the manufacturer.
Absolut vodka, recognized by millions as one of the best brands of this drink in the world.
There are several varieties of Absolut Vodka:
- Classic, without additives;
- Vanilla (vanilla flavor);
- Citron (lemon flavor);
- Kurant (blackcurrant flavour);
- Pepar (pepper);
- Rapsbury (raspberry flavor);
Price for 0.7 l. - approximately 1000 rubles. There will still be some left over for a bottle.
Jameson/Jack Daniels Whiskey
Classic Irish whiskey with amber color and caramel-vanilla aroma. Connoisseurs call it the best in its price category. The drink tastes good both when consumed in cocktails and in its pure form.
The price for 0.7 liters of Jameson is from 1500 to 2000 rubles, depending on the store. I managed to find it even for 1000 rubles.
As an alternative to Jameson, you can purchase Jack Daniels whiskey. “American” is very popular among lovers of this drink. When hearing the word whiskey, many people think of a bottle of Jack Daniels.
When choosing between Irish Jameson and American Jack Daniels, you need to focus on the taste preferences of the person who will drink it. Here, again, it’s better to ask whether varieties originally from Ireland or America are more to your liking.
But, if such information is difficult to obtain, then we take any of the two presented. Whatever suits your taste, they are both wonderful in taste.
The price for 0.7 liters of Jack Daniels is approximately 2000 rubles.
Brandy (Cognac) Chatelle, “Napoleon”
Perhaps one of the most affordable French cognacs. Long-lasting taste and aroma with notes of fruit, oak, nuts and honey.
In “Tsarist times” this brand of cognac was served at the table of Emperor Nicholas II.
The price for 0.7 liters is approximately 1200 rubles.
Tequila Olmeca
This brand deserves the title of the most popular tequila in the world. The drink is made from the juice of the blue agave cactus, at least 7 years old.
Thanks to centuries-old cooking technology, the taste is soft and the aroma is rich.
The price for 0.7 liters is approximately 1500 rubles.
Bombey saphire gin
Made from a variety of herbs, roots, berries and spices according to a recipe from 1761. A true English gin, Bombey saphire has a rich aroma and a soft but tart taste.
The excellent taste is complemented by a stylish bottle made of blue glass, sapphire color.
There are many cocktails based on this drink. But true connoisseurs drink it in its pure form.
The price for 0.5 liters is approximately 1800 rubles. Bombey saphire gin is somewhat more expensive than previous representatives. But, a lover of this drink will appreciate such a gift even with a volume of 0.5 liters 5+.
Origin of the drink
Imagine that you are standing in front of a counter in a store and want to choose a good cognac as a gift for a man. But there are so many bottles that your eyes simply run wild. This is where information about the origin of the drink will come in handy. In fact, only those drinks that were produced in France have the right to be called cognac. In this country, alcohol production is treated with great respect. In addition to the fact that quality is strictly controlled by the state, well-known brands compete with each other and maintain their own reputation.
Drinks produced in Armenia, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine, Russia are grape brandy. Among them there are also decent options, but you need to carefully read the information on the labels. Of these options, Armenian and Georgian alcohol are most often chosen. Cognacs (brandy) from these countries are worthy of the attention of connoisseurs. Some even believe that cognacs from Armenian brands are no worse, for example, than Courvoisier VSOP. But everyone has their own taste in this matter.