Easy Gift Wrapping Hacks to Make Your Holiday Prep Stress-Free and Fun
Discover clever tricks to fix unruly paper, corral supplies and wrap even the trickiest gifts!
It’s that time of year … again … to bust out the gift wrap box ahead of the holidays. What could be a fun activity, however, can quickly turn into a hassle given just how precarious gift wrap storage and maintenance is, not to mention the actual wrapping. Fret not, though, because we have tips and tricks that’ll guarantee wrapping success.
Outsmart unruly paper by reversing it
There’s nothing more annoying than trying to unroll wrapping paper to measure and cut it, only to have the edges stubbornly rolling back up. The fix: Unspool the entire roll of paper, then roll it back up in the opposite direction. Secure it with a clothespin and let it sit for 20 minutes. This allows the fibers to relax. Now, when you wrap your gifts, the paper will lie nice and flat!
Fix a squashed ribbon with a simple spray starch
If your bows are looking more flat than festive, try this popular TikTok trick: Spritz them with a bit of starch spray—the same type you would use on clothes. This stiffens up the bow, so all you need to do is use your hands to adjust and fluff up the individual curls again, and the ribbon will retain whatever shape you leave it in. Best of all, the fabric will absorb the starch, so there’s no need to worry about the holiday bow becoming sticky to the touch.
Present sweet treats in aluminum foil boxes
If you’re planning to attend a cookie exchange this year, don’t throw away your empty foil or parchment paper boxes! Instead, carefully remove the sharp edge and cover the boxes with colorful wrapping paper. Line the inside with wax paper and then use them to package baked goodies, like your famous sugar cookies, and give them away as a delicious gift.
Wrap oversize items with a festive bedsheet
If Santa went big in your home this holiday, you may be wondering how to wrap that giant box. “Cover oversize gifts, like a big-screen TV, with a bedsheet or tablecloth,” says Amy Guerrero, Wikihow.com arts and crafts specialist and owner of Sunshine Craft Co. Just pick a sheet with a festive print, and you’re done!
Get more coverage by going diagonal
If you’re down to the last sheet of wrapping paper and discover it’s just a little too short to cover your gift, try rotating the present diagonally. “We use this trick because it requires less paper—it’s also much easier,” says gift shop owner Yuki Lin (Boojiawa.com). Simply place the gift diagonally and facedown, then pull opposite corners of the wrapping paper together and secure with tape. Even if the corners don’t quite meet, it’s okay because this is the bottom of the gift—when you place it under the tree, the rest of it will still look perfectly wrapped.
Tackle tape troubles with a glue stick
Did you fall in love with glittery or textured wrapping paper, only to discover your Scotch tape absolutely refuses to stick to its slick surface? No worries! “Just get out a glue stick instead,” suggests Lin. “It has more sticking power than tape and will create a more seamless, elegant aesthetic.” To further secure the seams, simply wrap straight ribbon around all four sides and top with a bow.
Corral supplies easily with a convenient caddy
Tired of running around your house trying to locate elusive scissors, tape and wrapping paper? Keep gifting supplies organized and tidy by gathering them in an old cardboard wine box. “Their little compartments are perfect for storing paper rolls, tape, ribbon and scissors, so you can keep all of them corralled easily,” says crafter Inez Stanway (MondayMandala.com). Plus, the box is so easy to move around your home, you can wrap your gifts wherever you find it most convenient.
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