In 2012, one of the most visited posts on my blog was a post on Christmas present wrapping. Because many of us are probably in wrapping mode again, I thought a re-post might be helpful. BUT I’m not entirely cheating here because this year I’ve come up with FIVE additional solutions. So read on for the original post and this year’s additions…
It’s not that I dislike people who wrap their gifts this well. I just don’t understand why they won’t come wrap my gifts for me…
Photo credit: weliton at stock.xchng
It’s officially December, which means Christmas-time is in full swing. And while I’m excited to have my Christmas shopping done*, there’s one thing left that scares me every year…
…wrapping presents.
Okay, this is where I get all vulnerable and confess: I am the worst gift wrapper in the entire world.
I’m serious. I’m probably the person who inspired stores like Hallmark to start offering gift wrapping. That guy who invented gift bags? He’s my hero. (In fact, at the moment I’m imagining him singing that one Enrique Iglesias song…**)
Problem is, more often than not when I sit down to do the wrapping thing, I realize I’m out of saved gift bags. So I’m stuck with the paper option. Which gets all sorts of tricky when I realize I’m out of scotch tape, too.
I’ve had to get creative through the years. Just in case anyone else has ever faced the “no tape” dilemma, here are my top five (ten this year!) trusted (if not pretty) solutions:
Duct Tape
Why I always seem to have a supply of duct tape and not scotch tape, who knows. But it works well and now there’s all kinds of cool duct tape designs. Hot pink, zebra print…
Masking Tape
Again, why I have an endless supply of mask tape, who knows. Now, this will look tacky, I’m telling you right now. But it gets the job done. And if you’re out of gift labels/stickers, you can write the recipient’s name on the masking tape. So, it’s practical if not pretty.
Glue
Glue sticks work great for light wrapping jobs, but for bigger jobs, consider a glue gun. Just don’t get super glue in your hair. And don’t start gluing things just for the fun of using the glue gun. Not that I’ve ever done either.
Tissue Paper Twist
Sounds like the name of a dance or something, right? For smaller items, consider rolling the gift up in tissue paper, twisting the ends like a tootsie roll and tying with ribbons. It’s cute and no one will have to know you were improvising.
Bubble Gum
Okay, okay, I’ve never actually used gum to make my paper folds stick. But…I did once pull the gum out of my mouth in consideration. Didn’t actually go through with it. Mostly because the gum still had flavor left. But I bet it’d work.
NEW in 2013!
Blanket
Yes, I’ve totally done this before…presented a gift wrapped in a blanket. This one gets tricky, though, when the recipient assumes the blanket goes along with the gift. There’s not really an un-tacky way to ask for the blanket back.
Garbage Bag
Someone mentioned this one in the comments last year. Brilliant.
Plastic tub
This is another one someone threw out in the comments last year. Of course, if you’re like me, you can never find the lid to your big plastic containers, but this would be a good reason to go searching. Actually, wait a sec. Forget the gift…just give a plastic tub as a present. Who doesn’t need more tubs?
Safety pins
Now, I’m not sure how well safety pinning your wrapping paper is going to work. But doesn’t it sound sort of fun to try?
Sewing!
This is perhaps the greatest idea ever—sewing your wrapping paper shut. Now personally, I can’t sew at all. The only time I’ve done any worthwhile sewing in my life was in college when a friend and I snuck into a dorm room and sewed some guys’ clothes together. That was kind of awesome. But that’s as far as my sewing talents go. THUS anyone who could successfully sew wrapping paper together is automatically cool in my book.
Okay, those are my top five (TEN) tape-less wrapping solutions.
Anything I left off the list? Are you good at wrapping gifts?
(And if you are, hmm, isn’t it about time you came for a visit?)
*Actually, that statement was true in 2012. Not so much in 2013. I’m so behind!
**And to anyone else who now has Enrique singing “I can be your hero, baby…” in your head, I truly apologize.
Comments 14
Oh, you make me laugh Melissa! I’ll think of these each time I muddle through wrapping a present this season. My presents never look pretty, but they are eventually covered!
Author
I’m glad I’m not the only one. I often put off wrapping until the very last minute because I dread what a failure I’m going to feel like during the process. 🙂
Melissa,
You and I are “gifted” in the same way when it comes to wrapping presents. Gift bags are my friends!
Author
Yay for gift bags!
I’ve been known to use other forms of tape–like the black electrical tape, or the canvas type bandage tape. For some reason we always have those two types of tape lying around in our junk drawer. 🙂 I’ve also given a gift in a grocery store bag (both paper and plastic). I love tins and pre-wrapped boxes to give gifts. And I’m way behind my shopping!!! Dave and I are going to do it all in one big day on Friday! Thanks for the giggles.
Author
Hope you and Dave have fun with your Friday wrapping. 🙂
I’ve been known to use the Sunday Comics to wrap presents when I’m out of Christmas paper. Love the bags!
Author
Love that idea, Pat. I’ll have to add it to the list if I do this again in 2014.
I don’t mind wrapping gifts, but it just takes so much time…so I usually go with gift bags. You’re right, they’re so much easier. And since I discovered that the dollar store has pretty good gift bags, it’s not as expensive as it once was to buy a bunch of them! 🙂
Author
Seriously, whoever invented gift bags is SO smart.
Melissa, I love wrapping presents! I’m blessed to have a nice-sized craft room with lots of cubbies, cabinets, and shelving. I have tons of coordinating wrapping paper, boxes, bows, and bags. I often try to match the paper, etc to the recipient’s personality. (Please… don’t disown me! lol) 😉
Loved this post! I giggled soooo much!
Author
Wow, could I just send you all my gifts and have you wrap them?? 🙂 And of course I won’t disown you. I’m horrible at most things crafty, wrapping gifts included, but I hold nothing against people who are awesome at it.
I think I could give you a run for your money!! I don’t even pretend anymore. If there was an ugliest gift wrapped party, I’d win:) and I’ve so used duct tape, packing tape, masking tape…or just tied it tight with curly ribbon:)
Author
Haha, yeah, I’m pretty much past the point of pretending too. I just prepare for the laughter ahead of time, that way I’m not sad when I hand a gift to someone and face smirks/giggles/teasing. 🙂