Let the experts wrap your gifts this year: Take them to the RSVP gift wrapping station

You finally found the perfect gift for the one person on your list who has it all. THE gift that will make their eyes grow wide and jaw drop with a wondrous childlike joy and surprise.

Now you have to wrap it.

But your skills when it comes to enshrouding presents in decorative holiday paper, ribbon and bows are, at best, lacking. Or you don’t have time — or patience — to make sure the outside presentation matches the GOAT (greatest of all time) gift inside.

Plus, you don’t want to be lazy using a gift bag and wrapping tissue after putting so much effort into the gift.

So take it to the experts.

Let the amazing volunteers with the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program help you out.

For the first time since before the COVID-19 pandemic, these extraordinary gift wrapping elves are back at Prince Kūhiō Plaza in Hilo, reviving a decades-old tradition of friendly holiday service — wrapping every present they’re brought perfectly.

Volunteers are available until 7 p.m. today. You also can get some last-minute wrapping done from 9 a.m. to noon tomorrow, Christmas Eve, Dec. 24.

The wrapping station is located near the Social Security Administration office at the mall.

Here’s how it works:

• Arrive with your gifts sorted and ready to wrap.
• Complete gift tags before bringing your items to the wrapping station.
• Count your gifts prior to coming so you can verify the total number after they are wrapped.
• Volunteers cannot hold or store gifts, so you or a designated person must remain at the wrapping station while your gifts are being wrapped.
• The wrapping station does not sell or provide gift boxes or wrapping paper. All wrapping is done at the station.
• Don’t bring anything too big and heavy (televisions, tool boxes, etc.).
• Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Wrapping is done on a donation basis, with a suggested donation of $1 per gift. Suggested donation for oversized items is $3 to $5.

Examples of oversized items include:

• Designer bags.
• Comforters.
• Pillows.
• Bulky toys and gifts.

Proceeds from the gift wrapping station support and fund community projects around the island that are led by Retired and Senior Volunteer Program volunteers.

Funds also help continue the program’s mission to provide volunteer opportunities for people 55 and older to make a positive impact in their communities.

The program is part of the Hawai‘i County Department Parks and Recreation Elderly Activities Division and also a great way for Big Island kūpuna to stay active and engaged.

“Mahalo to the dozens of senior volunteers who make [the gift wrapping station] possible, and to the businesses who support by donating supplies!” said Parks and Recreation in a recent Facebook post.

Learn more about the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program and its community service opportunities at the Parks and Recreation website under the Elderly Activities section or call 808-961-8708.

News reporter Nathan Christophel contributed to this story.