Gift package

Abstract

A gift package including a decorative package and a protective package, where the decorative package is slightly dimensionally smaller in length, width and height than the protective package. The decorative package fits in the protective package without freely sliding therein, and has a decorative exterior. The decorative package and protective package can be in the form of an envelope, box or the like, or a combination thereof. Also, a gift package in the form of an envelope, box or the like, or a combination thereof, having an extension on a flap that can be used as a gift card.

1 . A gift package comprising a decorative package and a protective package, the decorative package comprising a decorative outer surface, wherein the protective package is dimensionally slightly larger than the decorative package so that the decorative package does not move freely within the protective package when sealed therein.  
   
   
       2 . The gift package of  claim 1  wherein the protective package conforms to the shape of the decorative package.  
   
   
       3 . The gift package of  claim 1  wherein the protective package has a different shape than the decorative package.  
   
   
       4 . The gift package of  claim 1  where the decorative package is made from a material taken from the group consisting of coated and/or uncoated paper, paperboard, cardboard, corrugate, plastic, foil, polyethylene fiber, natural fiber, woven material, fabric material and combinations or laminates thereof.  
   
   
       5 . The gift package of  claim 1  where the protective package is made from a material taken from the group consisting of coated and/or uncoated paper, paperboard, cardboard, corrugate, plastic, foil, polyethylene fiber, natural fiber, woven material, fabric material and combinations or laminates thereof.  
   
   
       6 . The gift package of  claim 1  wherein the decorative package has a decorative exterior formed by laminating, coating, printing, screening or adhering a decorative material.  
   
   
       7 . The gift package of  claim 6  wherein the decorative package has a message area thereon.  
   
   
       8 . The gift package of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the decorative package and the protective package is in the form of an envelope.  
   
   
       9 . The gift package of  claim 8  wherein the protective package is formed as an envelope having mitered corners and at least one score line relating to the length and width of the decorative package, the decorative package being in the form of a box.  
   
   
       10 . The gift package of  claim 8  wherein the decorative package is formed as an envelope and the protective package is formed as a box.  
   
   
       11 . The gift package of  claim 1  wherein the decorative package further comprises a closure flap for enclosing the gift within the decorative package.  
   
   
       12 . The gift package of  claim 11  wherein the closure flap of the decorative package includes a closure for maintaining the closure flap in a closed configuration.  
   
   
       13 . The gift package of  claim 12  wherein the closure comprises a portion of the closure flap that is inserted into a slot in the decorative envelope.  
   
   
       14 . The gift package of  claim 1  wherein the protective package further comprises a closure flap for closing the decorative package within the protective package.  
   
   
       15 . The gift package of  claim 7  wherein the message area is formed on the closure flap of the decorative package.  
   
   
       16 . The gift package of  claim 15  wherein the closure flap of the protective package includes a sealing closure for maintaining the closure flap in a closed configuration.  
   
   
       17 . The gift package of  claim 12  wherein the closure flap further comprises a tear strip for opening the protective envelope.  
   
   
       18 . The gift package of  claim 14  wherein the closure flap of the protective package has an elongated area forming a return postcard.  
   
   
       19 . The gift package of  claim 18  wherein the closure flap of the protective envelope has a closure at the terminal end, beyond the postcard.  
   
   
       20 . The gift package of  claim 1  wherein the protective envelope further comprises a handle.  
   
   
       21 . The gift package of  claim 1  wherein the decorative package and protective package can be bundled together and sold flat prior to use.  
   
   
       22 . A method of packaging a gift for shipment from a gift giver to a recipient comprising the steps of placing the gift into a decorative package with predetermined decorative exterior, closing the decorative package about the gift, placing the decorative package into a protective package that is dimensionally slightly larger than the decorative package and addressing the protective package.  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 22  further comprising writing a message to the recipient on a message area of the decorative package.  
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 22  further comprising removal of a return postcard attached to the protective package by the recipient, writing a message on the postcard and returning the postcard to the giver.  
   
   
       25 . A gift package comprising a decorative envelope having a closure flap, a portion of the closure flap comprising a message area to be used as a gift card.