Kristina Tilson of Port Clinton cuts the ribbon for her new mobile gift-wrapping boutique that was parked in front of The Island House during Community Christmas on Saturday. (Photo by D’Arcy Patrick Egan)

The Port Clinton Chamber and Main Street Port Clinton hosted a ribbon cutting on Saturday to celebrate the Grand Opening of Creative Gifts, a mobile gift wrapping boutique. The ribbon cutting for the mobile sales vehicle took place in front of the historic Island House Hotel in downtown Port Clinton during the annual Community Christmas event.

“I could not find space in Port Clinton for a new retail location, so I created one by converting my Ford E-350 bus into a mobile gift-wrapping boutique that I could take to a wide range of locations in the area to set up shop,” said owner Kristina Tilson of Port Clinton.

Establishing a gift-wrapping boutique is something Tilson has dreamt about and casually done for more than a decade.

“Everything has fallen into place over the course of the last year. I am beyond blessed with my dream becoming a reality, and that I get to work in collaboration with my daughter, Amber Brown,” said Tilson. “This could not have been done without the help and support of my family, friends, and this amazing community.”

Owner Kristina Tilson is already providing both the space and materials for customers flocking to her spacious portable boutique, a Ford E-350 bus that has been converted into Creative Gifts. (Photo by D’Arcy Patrick Egan)

Tilson is excited to display what her business has been working so hard to accomplish.

“I will start off small by offering gift wrapping, stuffed balloon gifts, candy or gift bouquets,” she said. “My services will be by appointment, or as scheduled events for groups, clubs or organizations. Bring me your goodies or I will beautifully wrap or arrange them for customers.”

Creative Gifts will be offering plain gift bags for boys and girls to decorate with stamps, stencils, paints and stickers. The Historic Island House offered cookies and hot cocoa on Saturday for everyone to enjoy while they were creating their masterpieces.

Creative Gifts also will be offering on-the-spot gift wrapping. There will be ample opportunities to schedule a date for wrapping or as group events.