Comments on: Organizing gift wrapping supplies

By: WM

WM — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 20:33:34 +0000

My gift wrap system is simple and really works for me. I only have one type of wrapping paper – brown butcher paper. I keep up to three different pretty ribbons (typically those wide fabric ones that cost a littl more) on hand and force myself to use what I have before buying something new. Sissors and tape are something I keep on hand anyway, so they don’t count.

I find that presents look really modern and chic in this packaging and work for all ocasions/genders/ages with the right ribbon.

By: WilliamB

WilliamB — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 15:26:41 +0000

Nicely wrapping something indicates you consider the gift or the recipient important, or adds importance to an otherwise small thing. Gifts are like paintings in this way: the frame indicates something about the contents and dresses up the contents as needed.

I reuse much of the wrapping that comes into my possession: untorn tissue paper, ribbon, fancy bows and nicknaks, and most especially gift bags. The only thing I have to buy is wrapping paper.

The little stuff lives in a large plastic box from The Container Store. This includes ribbons (secured by paper clips, binder clips, or rubber bands, so I don’t have a mare’s nest of snarles), bows (stored in a bag), nicknacks, the scissors and tape and pen (so I don’t have to hunting and for ease of cleanup), labels, and other small odds and ends.

The gift bags are in a shopping bag, arranged roughly by size. The baby-appropriate gift bags are clipped together.

The tissue paper is in one large pile, sorted by color. This is the only part that takes time: rescusing tissue paper from earlier gifts, flattening it out to unwrinkle and check for (big) rips, and organizing by color. The pile is then folded in half so it fits on the shelf. I cover this with an opened -p brown paper bag, and keep the plastic box on top so the pile doesn’t fall down and become a disorderly mess.

The tubes of wrapping paper are in the closet corner.

When I need to wrap something, I pull out the box and the tubes OR the bag and the tissue paper. I have everything I need at hand and it’s quick to put away. I’m a lousy wrapper so I need all the help I can get – which is why I like gift bags so much.

By: Carly

Carly — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 15:51:41 +0000

I recently organized my mom’s gift wrapping supplies because it seemed like they were taking up an entire closet, which was ridiculous.
We got a tall standing container to put the rolls of paper in. Then a 3-drawer container, with one drawer for gift bags, one for folded tissue paper, and one for all the little things – ribbons, gift tags etc.
Then there’s a big box for all the boxes – we have family in a different country, so we need to have boxes around to mail them presents.

By: I am not an addict! I can quit anytime I want. « Peppercorns

I am not an addict! I can quit anytime I want. « Peppercorns — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 10:09:26 +0000

[...] So I did some Googling and my new favourite site Unclutterer had the solution. It’s a gift wrapping organiser! And it hangs in the wardrobe! I have to get one of these. Like, HAVE [...]

By: Sue

Sue — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 15:29:05 +0000

Or, you could:
1. Give gifts that dont need to be wrapped (gift cards, money, gifts of time & services)-at least for grownups & teens, anyway.
2. Take older kids/teens to the mall or store & let them pick what THEY would like (less clutter for them, knowledge that you gave something truly appreciated-doesnt have to be expensive, just thoughtful)
3. wrap gifts in comics, old magazines, junk mail, newspaper, etc. It’s just going to get torn to shreds, why waste the paper resources making pretty paper for this use only!
4. Use gift bags, again kind of environmentally wasteful, but there are times you just have to make it look pretty, I know.
5.At the very least, stop with the tags, ribbons, bows, etc. Isnt the gift itself thoughtful & nice enough that you dont have to impress people with the paper/box?
6. Buy minimal paper, gift box, whatever, at the time you buy the gift/gifts, so you dont HAVE to store the extra!
I know this sounds like a rant but I feel SOOOOO strongly about this one! Think what that “gift-wrap storage space” could be used for!(Clothes/sports/filing/work-related stuff, you name it!)

By: Angie

Angie — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 20:58:26 +0000

I try to use plain brown paper and gift bags and pretty ribbons. It makes me sad to see a huge pile of non-recyclable gift wrap when it’s done. Still, I have a messy cupboard and a corresponding drawer. Eventhough I feel my problem is that my husband and kids never put anything away, the real problem is that I have too many things and too many choices. This has been a helpful discussion for me.

By: jenny

jenny — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 23:35:59 +0000

What’s wrong with simple underbed storage boxes? They’re perfect – rolls of gift wrap fit perfectly with plenty of room left over for bows, ribbons, and gift bags. I have one underbed storage box filled with gift wrapping supplies. I’m using otherwise wasted space and the plain ol’ boxes are a LOT cheaper than specialty gift wrap holders.

By: Kellie

Kellie — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 20:40:58 +0000

I couldn’t help but crack up reading this. I WAS looking for a cool way to store my mess of gift bags/ribbon/paper galore. Now I’m just laughing because I didn’t realize my gift wrapping rituals were making people angry!!! rock. on. But, I AM still looking for good ideas…

By: elrj

elrj — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 21:31:09 +0000

Doesn’t anyone use the Sunday comics anymore?

By: Style Divas - Best of the Web - November 10th 2007 - Holiday Edition | The Decorating Diva

Sat, 10 Nov 2007 19:35:25 +0000

[...] as we found this week’s Style Diva blog candidate, “Unclutterer” offering handy holiday organizational tips and great product recommendations that will help you wrap and [...]

By: mercurial scribe

mercurial scribe — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 01:16:49 +0000

Thank you thank you thank you for this post! I’ve always had a problem getting my gift wrap organized and after I read this post, I purchased the pictured system. I’ve been using it now for about a week (it’s birthday season at my house) and I love how easy it is! Thanks for another bright idea!

By: Mary

Mary — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 17:13:52 +0000

I have a friend who wraps everything in her signature plain brown wrapping paper topped with a pale pink rafia bow. Somehow it looks right no matter the occasion or the recipient and I’d steal her idea if we didn’t both live in the same small town. Her supplies take little space and they are economical.

By: andi*pandi

andi*pandi — Sat, 27 Oct 2007 11:01:49 +0000

I like the hanging organizer; however I use under-the-bed storage boxes. I need both christmas and hannukah paper, then birthday, kid, etc. so I need more space. I also have a box for gift bags and tissue, which I use and reuse most of all. It pays to be thrifty, I feel a bit better about reusing stuff, to offset the feeling of wastefulness that comes from stuffing used wrap into the trash.

If these gift bags overflow their box however, I’m giving some away!

By: Work It, Mom! | A Community for Professional Moms

Work It, Mom! | A Community for Professional Moms — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 15:30:55 +0000

[...] loved this round up of gift wrap storage at Unclutterer but even more so I loved this post about the minimalist approach to gift wrap. [...]

By: PrairieGal

PrairieGal — Sun, 21 Oct 2007 01:18:39 +0000

Anna – Thank you so much for posting the Pleasant View home made version! I have been racking my brain trying to determine how to make one of the hanging varieties, since the retail one does not seem to be available in my area, and Pleasant View’s is by far the simplest and easier idea. Much appreciated!