Every other week, Anna Hezel talks about the innovations, decorations, and other quiet touches that make a party memorable.
Today: How to liven up monochromatic gift wrap with a sprig of something green.
![=](https://images.food52.com/zBIc-BvmPA0vIYzs_5paofRVCSA=/a6aafe90-0fe4-4580-b479-1e3a91f00efc--11414071503_2482a63833_b.jpg)
Since my holiday gift wrap of choice always tends to be a monochromatic array of takeout boxes, natural brown wrapping paper, and simple jars, I'm always searching for a small touch to add to packages for a glimpse of color. I love the idea of using greenery, but not if it means that my gifts will leave an unwanted trail of crumbling pine needles.
![](https://images.food52.com/8KUrCtLv5ZyDbKq8uSZc27lcKCM=/928cc027-80cd-4de7-beca-ede5513b8895--11413941296_0c50236af8_b.jpg)
This year, I decided to craft my own evergreens that would truly stay forever green and intact. With some good paper and a few minutes of cutting, I had a pile of bright sprigs to tuck into bows and attach to cards -- especially perfect packaging for the rosemary candied walnuts that I made this year.
These could act as gift tags on their own, but they also look great as an accompaniment to a small card. You can glue several together into a chain to wrap around your gift or gather a few into a little bundle to tie onto the gift with a ribbon.
Supplies:
- scissors
- parchment paper
- some sturdy green paper
- a pen
![](https://images.food52.com/8KVU562NIksFCihcCqXJf6Kcf8U=/dae1ed30-c203-4b92-9203-ae16e4c49387--11414066123_3f962f9abe_b.jpg)
To begin, either trace the outline above off the screen and onto some parchment paper or trace an actual sprig of rosemary.
![](https://images.food52.com/qq4Jc2D-NuM6kgJB7KIZCXWeQqE=/25b68cb7-a4ef-4e5c-84fb-fc84371b776e--11413941385_5c7c89edc2_b.jpg)
Cut out your parchment paper template, and use this to trace several duplicates onto your sturdier green paper. Cut out the sprig shapes, and curl them gently around a pen or pencil to give them a natural-looking curve. Either gather three into a small bunch, gluing the stems together, or use them individually to tuck into bows.
![](https://images.food52.com/iVm1x0uJL3uJkcSfyxFZq2azWRg=/45499065-edca-4922-8663-4da9f1db4cd3--11413937086_84ece265e2_b.jpg)
Photos by Anna Hezel
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