A Splendora artist and television personality known as “The World’s Most Famous Gift Wrap Artist” will return as a judge for the streaming series “The Ultimate Gift Wrapping Challenge.”
Alton DuLaney was a judge for the first season on the QVC+ and HSN+ streaming network series and will return for the second season, which is available Nov. 2.
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Tussling over tinsel
QVC+ and HSN + describes “The Ultimate Gift Wrapping Challenge” as a one-of-a-kind competition where contestants put their creative skills to the test and face off to be crowned the “Ultimate Gift Wrapping Champion.” Contestants face new challenges to master and try not to get their tinsel in a tangle.
The first season aired in December 2023 and featured eight gift-wrapping professionals. Judges joining DuLaney are Lauren McBride, lifestyle-blogger- turned-home-decor designer and Jane Means, gift-wrapping expert from the United Kingdom.
“This is the ultimate show. There’s been laughs, there’s been tears, there’s been dramas, there’s been tension,” DuLaney said in a promo video for season two.
The title of “Ultimate Gift Wrapping Champion” is on the line as well as a $10,000 prize.
“The season was a big success so here we are for season two,” he said. The best parts of the show were his co-hosts who he said are awesome and fun to work with and he was also able to have his dog, Leo, be a part of the show.
He also appreciated the contestants’ creativity and how everyone approached the gift-wrapping challenge with their own style and personality.
Cincinnati native Joe Henline was the first “Ultimate Gift Wrapping Champion” in 2023.
“Joe gave it his all for every challenge and he also added a lot of pizzazz to it while having fun with it,” he said.
Celebrity guests and judges
For this new season, they will feature some celebrity guests and special judges. This year’s show will feature eight episodes an expansion from last year.
“It was so much fun the first time around and with the chemistry already being there among the hosts it made it easy to jump back into that,” he said.
Inspired by his father who loved to wrap Christmas presents, DuLaney mastered the art of gift wrapping while working as the director of creative services at Kate’s Paperie, the once iconic New York stationery and paper emporium.
Gift-wrapping success
The Splendora native and Houston artist got his big break in 2008, when he won Scotch tape brand’s national “Most Gifted Wrapper” contest, which challenged contestants to wrap odd-shaped gifts, including a baby grand piano. Since winning Scotch’s $10,000 prize — a lifetime supply of Scotch tape — DuLaney was featured on dozens of national TV talk shows, including “Good Morning America,” the “Today” show and “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” to showcase his tips, trends and tools for perfectly wrapped presents.
DuLaney served a term on the Splendora City Council, ran for mayor and is the art curator for the Houston Airport System overseeing all the public artwork displayed at George Bush Intercontinental Airport. He also hosts the YouTube series “The Great Gift Exchange!”
During the bustle of the holiday season, he has also wrapped gifts for harried travelers at the airport. Some of this secrets to gift-wrapping success include tight folds, crisp corners, a nice bow and creating a workspace for yourself.
Season one is available to stream for free on the QVC+ and HSN+ webpage.
Erica Grieder contributed to this report.
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