Wrapping Christmas presents for money?

blueelephanttrunk

I have an idea for a small seasonal business, and I wondered what things you think I should consider / if it's even a good idea!

Surely there must be some people who just don't have the time or aren't very good at wrapping presents and would be willing to pay someone else to do it? I would be more targetting people who have children, work busy hours etc with a lot of presents to wrap rather than one offs as I would imagine they would just get that done at the shop if they wanted to.

What do you think? Good idea, or silly?

relic

I could see a service working where you buy the presents from their list, wrap them and deliver them working, not particularly well but it might work.

As for your idea, I can't see a huge amount of business coming your way, and obviously it's very very seasonal.

Meepster

Seems a bit silly to me. Plus there's a LOT more to think about than simply wrapping the presents...

mizzbiz

I can't see anyone going for this to be honest. Bog standard wrapping with bog standard paper is unlikely to appeal to anyone. It doesn't appeal to me and I am short on time/work busy hours. I can still find a couple of hours to shoddily wrap a load of presents. SOme things to think about though

How would the client et the gifts to you
How would you get them back
How much could you realistically charge - what kind of net profit would this give you (this will probably be the one that stops you doing this if you answer it honestly!)
What qualifications/experience do you have in gift wrapping
What if a customer doesn't like the quality/design of paper/wants them rewrapped to a better standard

I can think of loads more questions about the viability of this idea but I'll stop there. What wouldn't be a bad idea is one of those little barrows in the city centre that wraps whilst you shop. You would have to be a master gift wrapper though (and very fast/able to wrap under pressure).

mizzbiz

PS It's rubbish when people cr*p on your ideas - I know how hard it is to come up with something profitable and workable. I do admire that you're racking your brain for good ideas - this is how all entrepreneurs start. Being able to analyse your idea critically and objectively is the next stage - even if you have to put a mini business plan and forecast together to see if it's going to work.

But the best thing about people pee*ng on your parade when you've had a brainwave is that it might help you to see it objectively (and hear what your potential customers think too) and stop you losing a lot of money (or just not making any and chugging away for free).

lincroft1710

I'm sure there was a thread on a similar topic some months ago.

red_devil

i dont think it will work. I think people like to wrap their own presents plus there are already gift wrap services out there?

silvercar

Brent Cross shopping centre have a stall in the centre walk way area offering this service. So it clearly works if you can get the right location.

painted_lady

There is a market for setting toys up, so ready to play with once opened Christmas day. Simple as unpacking from the wires they put in them to tie to boxes, often requiring plyers. Or putting batteries in, assembling bikes, toy garages etc.

MrandMrsB

Sorry to be negative. You would need to convince your clients that you aren't a Christmas present thief!.....insurance to cover the cost of the presents......public liability insurance.

When I was short of time I would buy a suitable Christmas bag for each person, which was so successful that I have continued with this method ever since.

MrandMrsB

I feel awful about having rubbished your idea. I was looking for a job to do from home but I couldn't find anything suitable. My husband has retired temporarily and fortunately when he works part-time from home I have a ready-made job as his PA / secretary.

Have you had other ideas? Maybe you could start another thread asking for ideas. Best wishes xxx