- Christmas
- 21st Nov 2025
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- 0 minute
Hate wrapping Christmas presents? Forbes Finishings delivers a stress-free festive rescue
- Advertisement Feature
If you’re the kind of person who loves buying gifts but absolutely dreads the part where you have to wrap them, Forbes Finishings is here to the rescue.
Whitley Bay entrepreneur Aoife Forbes is on a mission to make messy corners, ripped paper and late-night panic wrapping a thing of the past.
It’s hard to believe Forbes Finishings is only celebrating its first birthday. In just twelve months, Aoife has turned her passion for beautiful presentation into one of the most in-demand gift-wrapping services in the North East.
She spotted the gap instantly: people adore giving gorgeous gifts, but with work, kids, life and the general Christmas chaos, wrapping is usually the first thing to slip into the “I’ll deal with this later” zone. The result? Stress, swearing and tape stuck to coffee tables – we’ve all been there.
But Aoife thrives there. With a calm head, flawless folds and an eye for aesthetics, she makes gifts look like they’ve marched straight out of a department-store window display.
A YEAR OF BIG MOMENTS (AND EVEN BIGGER BOWS)
In just one year, Aoife has wrapped for some huge names: Sage, Northumbrian Water, Accenture, H Beauty, Rowen Homes, Mincoffs Solicitors and Nicholson’s Butchers – just to name a few.
She’s hosted luxury workshops at Rockliffe Hall, supported fundraising for Children’s Cancer North and even wrapped an entire Land Rover at the Lloyd dealership in Newcastle (talk about talent!)
She’s also been shortlisted as ‘One to Watch’ in the North East Chamber of Commerce Inspiring Women Awards 2025 – a well-deserved nod to a whirlwind year.
“I still can’t quite believe how supportive people have been,” Aoife says. “The North East business community has been amazing.”
SPEED WRAPPING: THE FESTIVE FAIRY YOU DIDN’T KNOW YOU NEEDED
Now, let’s talk about the service people can’t stop raving about: speed wrapping.
Imagine this… Your gifts are sitting in one tidy pile at home or in the office. Aoife (A.K.A our favourite festive fairy) arrives, works her wrapping magic at up to 30 presents an hour, and you suddenly have an entire free evening you didn’t expect. No stress. No chaos and more relaxing nights by the fire, sipping your mulled wine.
Prices start from £79 per hour, and she can even bring all the wrapping supplies.
Parents love it. Busy professionals love it. People who usually wrap at midnight on Christmas Eve really love it.
“So many people feel pressure to do everything themselves,” Aoife says. “But wrapping shouldn’t be the thing that tips you over the edge. When people book speed wrapping, it takes away that December overwhelm and gives them time back for the fun festive things with family and friends.”
WORKSHOPS THAT MAKE WRAPPING FEEL EASY (AND ACTUALLY FUN)
If you want to learn the secrets for yourself, Aoife’s Christmas workshops are the ultimate festive treat. This year she’s teaching a full line-up – including sessions at The Biscuit Factory and family-friendly workshops at Hjemmelavet in Ponteland.
These sessions are relaxed, hands-on and full of genuinely helpful techniques. No complicated origami folds. No paper that almost-but-doesn’t-quite reach the edge. Just clever, achievable wrapping that looks professionally finished.
People often tell Aoife they come for the skills but stay for the vibe. It’s a chance to slow down, chat, enjoy a slice of homemade cake and leave with a beautifully wrapped gift you’re actually proud of.
There’s even a special Jólabókaflóðið book-wrapping night at Cullercoats Watch House complete with mulled wine, mince pies, watercolour bookmarks and the works.
Rachael Ellis
Head of Content
After gaining a first in her BA Media and Journalism degree at Northumbria University, Rachael worked at Newcastle’s leading regional newspaper with her stories being picked up in national and global newspapers. She spent two very successful years giving a voice to those communities across the North East who otherwise…
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