Buying gifts for the holidays is one thing; wrapping them is another. For many of us, gifts function as decor under the Christmas tree, so presenting them in an aesthetically pleasing way is critical.
Ego Nwodim, actor and former SNL cast member, says that gift wrapping is not her strong suit: so when Scotch Brand came calling for a 'Resting Gift Face' campaign, she was intrigued.
'I'm notoriously pretty bad at wrapping gifts,' she tells us from New York City. 'So I'm obsessed with this tape [at Target] that makes it so easy and makes it look pretty. It's gonna sound cliché, but get this tape legitimately disappears perfectly into most wrapping papers, and it's just so neat. I feel like it makes even the worst gift wrapper seem like a professional.'
Shop Ego Nwodim's Holiday Gifting Essentials
Made for gift wrapping, this tape's invisibility makes presents look seamless and under-the-tree ready.
With three coordinating prints, this gift wrap set is the key to creating a picture-perfect stack of Christmas presents. I'd add red velvet ribbons for a final flourish.
Although Ego's favorite scent has been discontinued, we are eyeing this limited edition, holiday fragrance from the cult-favorite brand, with notes of sugar plums, red wine, and incense.
Another festive iteration from the brand, this candle smells like juniper, evergreen, and winter air; which is to say, it's incredibly fresh.
Get a minimalist, elevated gift wrap look with this shiny, white paper, perfect for creating a clean, modern package.
A bow is simply a classic accent for any gift wrap, and this cream iteration is a fantastic price at under $4.
When it comes to other holiday home decor essentials, she says that candles are her must-haves: she specifically stockpiles Boy Smells ones.
'I love a good candle with a strong throw, and because I love candles so much, I now know the lingo, so it's essentially a strong scented candle. Can't go wrong in my opinion. I love, I love making home feel cozy and feel just comfortable during the holidays.'
She says that her favorite scent, De Nimes, has stayed on her mind since she first smelled it (though it tragically has since been discontinued, though this Starry Spice one is a good alternative). 'That candle I smelled in a coworker's office once, and then I was like, 'What is that? And then got one for myself. It was sold out when I figured out what it was, and then they restocked it, and I got so many of them. I have that like a storage unit full of De Nimes.'
Apart from her signature scent, Ego likes to change up her holiday decor each year.
'This year I'm excited to go all out and do stockings and have the tree,' she explains. 'But it just varies year to year and based on how I'm feeling. I have my staples, and then it's fun to go to specialty shops in New York and see cute ornaments you might like.'
Her overall approach to holiday planning feels aligned with her background in sketch comedy – playful and relaxed (and we are taking cues).
'I'm just sort of an improviser,' she tells us. 'There's some loose planning involved, but I like not to make anything surrounding the holidays feel like work because I work so much, and I think it should feel fun and easy, so I try to keep that spirit alive as I decorate and get things in order. Maybe one day, while I'm decorating, I have music playing and the candles are lit, and maybe another day, it's just throwing some ornaments on the tree. As long as I'm all set in time for the actual holiday, I'm like, I'm good.'
