Foley's Gift Wrapping Department 1966

Wraps on Christmas

Some folks can tie a bow with their eyes closed and turn out a present as professional as a picture. 

Then there are the real professionals who work from 9 to 5 prettifying those packages that will turn up under your Christmas tree.

They work the gift wrap game at a pace that would panic an amateur. 

The brigadiers of box-benders and ribbon-tiers in Foley's gift wrapping stations can tape, paper, and tie up a regular gift in the space of two or three minutes. 

Some things, such as bikes, guitars, and kitchens take a little longer.

"I wrapped up a kitchen the other day in 30 minutes, just took several sheets of that extra wide silver paper over there," related Mrs. F____, on the eighth floor.

"A kitchen!" we echoed in amazement.

"Yes, one of those portable things like you might take on a camping trip..."

(story was continued on a page not included in the fiche)

(I have this one on my list to revisit and try to get in better focus.)

I have vivid memories of being a small child in the tiny space upstairs in Foley's at Almeda Mall that functioned as the gift wrapping department at Christmas time. It was packed with people in lines waiting to select their paper and ribbons. The boxes high up on the back wall, behind the counter, were hanging there, showing off the options. I always imagined they must be filled with the most amazing presents that someone would eventually get to unwrap.

I remember the room during other times of the year, as well, but it wasn't nearly as chaotic and rushed and exhilarating. At those times, the presents hanging on display were in rather boring foil solids or plaids, nothing so beautiful as bright reds and greens.

In my memory, the gift wrapping department is inextricably tied up with The Terrace, Foley's restaurant on the second floor, with the dining room on the left and the bar area on the right. You'd get crayons and a paper to color on either side. I found it far more exciting to get to go to the tall stools on the right, where we all kind of faced each other in a semi-square, than at a boring old table, but mom usually opted for the table when one was available. There was just no accounting for taste.