Wrapping a Gift is an interactive make-it-yourself activity. Readers choose the wrapping paper and ribbons to wrap a virtual gift package. On the final page their gift design becomes part of a printable card.
They can personalize the card, print it and send it. There are spaces to fill in the reader’s name and the name of the one who will receive the gift, and a place to describe the gift. Revised in 2019, now there is a simple SAVE button in the online version to download the card.
With three choices of wrapping paper and three choices of bows, nine different gift designs can be created. Realistic sounds of the paper unrolling, scissors snipping, and tape tearing and sticking make the wrapping process feel authentic.
Your Own Creation
The final page lets students turn on their imaginations, deciding what would be in the box “if wishes came true”. I have marked this activity as appropriate for grades 1-6, because of the simple vocabulary and universally appealing content.
Actually, adults may enjoy planning virtual gifts. See what clever, wild, or funny ideas you can come up with. If it’s really the thought that counts, this activity is a great option in a year when funds are limited!
Extra Help; Good Links
To help you think of good gift ideas and get the finished card printed, my daughter Ellen has set up a special help page for this activity. Click here to go to her page for printing tips, gift ideas, and links to free holiday clip art.
Many Formats
There is an online version of Wrapping A Gift, a downloadable version for desktop use (opens in a web browser), and versions in Clicker 5®, HyperStudio 5®, PowerPoint®, and IntelliTools Classroom Suite® formats.
The online and desktop versions were revised to HTML5 in 2019. That means sounds now play in all devices, including iPad©, and no internet connection is needed to use the desktop version. The revised online and desktop versions also now have audible text!
The Classroom Suite version has a custom IntelliKeys® overlay attached, and there is a Dynavox® version of the overlay. See the Special Needs Access section on the System Reqs page for information on controlling the Classroom Suite version from PRC devices.
Refer to the HyperStudio is Back! page for information about downloading players to run the HS5 version of this activity.
The My Own Bookshelf® version is a straight line story resulting in just one of the gift designs, but includes the sounds. There is also a PDF version to use onscreen or to print, but it does not include the sounds.
Bonus Goodies
You can download a bonus clipart collection, including everything for wrapping a gift, starting with the empty box. The collection includes all nine wrapped package designs, opening the way to devise matching and pattern games. I’ve also included sheets of gift tags you can print and use on real life packages.
Applications needed: Modern web browser, Classroom Suite, Clicker 5, HyperStudio 5, My Own Bookshelf, Test Me Score Me, PowerPoint, Microsoft Word, Acrobat Reader
Subject area: Reading.
Level: Grades 1-6.
Online Links-Activities
Bonus Tips Page – For extra help with this activity, click here. Printing tips, gift ideas, and links to holiday clip art.
Annie’s Books Online
Wrapping A Gift link: giftwrap/index.html. Wrapping A Gift activity to read online. SAVE button on the final page downloads a zip file with a JPEG version of the finished gift to complete off-computer, a PDF version that can be completed onscreen, and instructions. 
so sounds play on all devices, including iPad! Book now has audible text. Pre-IE9 legacy versions also online. For details on using Annie’s Books Online, click here.
Desktop version of Wrapping A Gift link: giftwrapDesktop.zip (29 MB) Wrapping A Gift activity to read from the desktop using a web browser. Text reads aloud from a button. format and updated sounds run in modern browsers, including on phones and tablets. On iPad, you must click the Play Sound button. Not for pre-IE9 browsers. For details on using Annie’s Desktop Books, click here.
Downloads-Activities
Printable Activity
WrappingAGift.pdf 4.8 MB) Wrapping A Gift activity to print. No sounds. Acrobat Reader.
Clicker 5
WrappingAGift.clkt.zip (4.3 MB) Wrapping A Gift activity activity in Clicker 5 Mac or Win. Has sounds.
Classroom Suite
WrapGiftSuite.zip (12.1 MB) Wrapping A Gift interactive book in Classroom Suite v.3 or later. Custom IntelliKeys overlay is attached.
WrappingAGift.dpkg (FILE SIZE MB) Wrapping A Gift activity overlay saved as a Dynavox package file.
HyperStudio 5
WrappingAGift.stack.zip (11.1 MB) Wrapping A Gift interactive book in HyperStudio 5
SoftTouch
WrappingAGiftMBS.zip (3.5 MB) folders with WrappingAGiftMBS.zip book to import into My Own Bookshelf.
PowerPoint
WrappingGiftPPT.zip (12.7 MB) Wrapping A Gift interactive book saved as a .ppt file. Keep .ppt file and sounds folders together as you decompress the zip file. PowerPoint 2003 or later.
Downloads-Resources
GiftWrappingClipArt.zip (3.1 MB) Clip art including scissors, tape, wrapping paper rolls and tileable designs, nine wrapped gifts. To preview the collection, click here.
TieOnGiftTags.pdf (1.9 MB) PDF format printable sheet of three different gift tag designs with tab to punch out and use to tie tag on package. Acrobat Reader.
StickOnTags.pdf (1.7 MB) PDF format printable sheet of three different rectangular gift tag designs to print out and stick on packages. Acrobat Reader.
