With just under a month to go until the big day, Stirling Castle is swinging into the Christmas spirit with a series of events and offers, including late night shopping at the Clan and Christmas gift shop on Wednesdays 9, 16 and 23 December. The shop is stocking lots of unique gifts by Stirling suppliers, and local business Wrapistry by Cherene will also be on hand to demonstrate creative Christmas wrapping ideas.
We caught up with owner Cherene Robertson to find out how you get a job wrapping presents!
Have you always had creative jobs?
I was meant to go to Edinburgh College of Art when I left school, but at the last minute I changed direction and went into travel. I studied in Dundee and Glasgow, and my ultimate goal was to work for an airline which I did – it was a brilliant job, and the highlight of my working life before I had my daughter Grace (who will be 12 on the 27 December!). I now divide my time between directing my husband’s local electrical company, and Wrapistry.
What or who gave you the idea to start a gift wrapping company?
My mum and three of my best friends. For as long as I can remember my mum and I have had this love of gift wrapping, especially at Christmas. She encouraged me from a small age, it was our special mum and daughter time – and it still is, except my daughter Grace now joins in on it too! So we have a three generation gift wrapping company.
We rolled out four days before Christmas in 2014, after one of my best friends said, ‘Cherene, stop hiding away go out and show everyone what you can do!’ She said the public should have the chance to experience the wrapping I was already doing for family and friends, and encouraged me to be brave and ‘dip my toe in the water’ – so here I am! And I feel very lucky to be surrounded by so many positive individuals, who are great sounding blocks and most of all want to see me succeed. The support of my friends and family means everything.
What’s the best thing about the job?
One of the best things has to be seeing the look on a customer’s face when they see the finished gift – when they see it all wrapped and ribboned their faces simply light up. I also get huge job satisfaction from giving my services to charities. This year I have worked with SCALP, So precious, and the Bridge of Allan stroke group. I am currently working with Strathcarron Hospice and the Local Fire Brigade in Stirling & Alloa on the Christmas toy appeal.
What’s the most difficult thing you’ve ever been asked to wrap?
A walking umbrella with a traditional handle. And once someone asked for a whole house to have ribbon wrapped around it!
What’s your favourite thing about Christmas?
Without a doubt it has to be the memories that my parents created for my brother and I. They made Christmas so magical for us, from putting up the Christmas tree, old Christmas songs playing in the background, a box of chocolates open and of course the fire on!
How did you end up working with us at the Clan and Christmas shop?
It was actually a friend who suggested I should contact Historic Scotland and offer my gift wrapping services. To my delight they offered to meet me and I showed them some of my work. The rest is now history – excuse the pun! – and hopefully this will be the start of a great working relationship.
When they showed me the Clan and Christmas shop I was totally mesmerised. The first thing I could see was it reminded me of old Jenners in Edinburgh at Christmas. It is without a doubt the perfect Christmas shop and atmosphere. I’m really looking forward to working with the team, the staff are so lovely and friendly and the shop is so inviting I can’t wait to get started.
I will be at the castle’s Christmas Shopping Fayre on Tuesday 1 December and in the Clan and Christmas shop Wednesday 9, 16, 20 and 23 December.
You can also have a look at my work on Facebook, Wrapistry by Cherene, or contact me on 07581 216 503.
All gifts are wrapped with warm hugs!