Is there a way to do this?

Also wondering what people are doing for holiday specials like gift wrapping, etc?

Short answer, No. I have read numerous gift wrapping threads over the past few years. None have has a simple solution. Especially when you throw the "over xx dollars" monkey wrench in. Thank God people aren't gift wrapping engine parts.

welll...

You could do a shopping cart event. Orders between 25 - 999999 automically have gift wrapping added to the cart (you would need to create a product called - Gift Wrapping, set it $0, but if the gift wrapping adds a little weight, put a weight associated to it - maybe .10 lbs or .25 lbs)

Thats the best bet.

But then your stuck gift wrapping every package as the customer doesn't have a choice of removing it.

We use it for our sample special. All overs over $100 get 5/10 samples (whatever we have on hand). Then the customer sees they are getting a sample special and its added to their cart!

Hey Bama.
I entertained this idea a couple of years ago, but decided against it. From my perspective, gift wrapping is laborious and time consuming...I dont mind providing it; but at a cost.
I would much prefer (and do provide) free shipping with a $75 purchase. Incidentally, Im upping the break point for free shipping soon.

We don't offer Gift Wrapping, too time consuming.

To me, Gift wrapping on orders over $25 seems to low, but you never know it may be helping you set yourself apart from your competitors. What do your competitors offer?

If you have the time to do it, can figure out the way to accomplish it in the cart, and it is going to increase conversions, sounds good.

Wouldn't it be easier to just charge $2 per package for gift wrapping than to offer it for free. Also, I would think that shipping to different shipping addresses other than the billing address would increase.

I offer free shipping above $100 as well.

I'm currently offering $1.95 gift wrapping on a customer's entire order, whether it's 1 item or 10 or whatever. Most customers only buy 1-3 items, so it's not a big deal. What I sell are toys for kids, I have to have gift wrapping, and it's done pretty well. I don't do a whole lot, but at $1.95 it actually pays for an entire roll of paper from the Dollar General store. But I do it more as a service and because my competitors all do it.

I don't want to automatically add free gift wrapping to carts for customers who wouldn't otherwise opt for it, but I may create a check-out question and just give anyone the option of free gift wrapping if they check a box during checkout. I'll probably wait until Thanksgiving.

Hey Bama.
You'd be better off ordering a bulk roll online...much more cost effective. Do a search for "wholesale wrapping paper." We usually buy a huge (about 120 foot roll) for about $60 or so.

Thanks martini, I'll check it out