When it comes to waiting until the last minute to wrap gifts, I know how much stress that can create. The holidays are supposed to be a pleasurable time of the year so why not make gift wrapping part of the pleasure too. So last year I created a system that really helped to reduce the stress when it came to wrapping gifts and addressing my holiday cards.
Here are my tips stress free holiday gift wrapping tips:
1. Set up a small area in your home to be your gift wrapping station. Find a spot that you can leave this set up for a bit. Use a large rectangular table or folding card table that has ample space for wrapping. You want to make sure that your area has proper lighting.
2. Head out to the store and buy everything you think you will need in one shopping trip. For me, I headed to my local dollar store and picked up numerous rolls of wrapping paper, several packs of holiday print gift bags, ribbons, bows, gift tags, colored tape and regular gift wrapping tape. I also picked up a pack of fun colored gel ink pens for doing my gift tags in fun colors. I always make a point to buy a little more supplies than what I think I will need, so that I don’t have to run out again.
3. Organize all of your supplies onto your table so that things are kept neat and tidy. I purchased small plastic bins (at the dollar store) and have all of my ribbons in one, gift tags in another, bows in a third and so forth. If you are organized, the gift wrapping will go much quicker and you won’t get stressed out trying to find something.
4. Designate an area in your home for the wrapped gifts to go. I have four large plastic bins and each bin is labeled for the family; eg: Hubby’s Family, My Family, Friends, etc. Once you got the gifts wrapped place them into the appropriate bin to keep things organized.
5. Once a week, spend 30 minutes to 1 hour wrapping gifts and addressing holiday cards. Create a holiday mood by playing Christmas music or watch a holiday DVD. Setting the mood reduces the stress!
By the time the Christmas eve rolls around, you should have all of your gifts wrapped, sorted and be ready to go come Christmas morning! It’s a great way to cut down the stress and a fantastic way to get the most enjoyment out of this important holiday.
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Once again this year I was up all night Christmas Eve wrapping gifts. I have saved this post and vow that I will follow your suggestions so that 2014 will not be a repeat of my past performances.
I love these tips. Too often I wait until the last few days to do most of the wrapping and that is very stressful.. I also like the idea of playing holiday music while I wrap.
I used to go nuts over gift wrapping and as I’ve gotten older and more pressed for time…I don’t stress out anymore if it doesnt have the prettiest ribbon or bow. This year, I may space out my wrapping instead of waiting to wrap things at the very last minute.
I went shopping with a friend a couple of years ago, and she actually brought a sample of some gift wrap she already had to make sure the nothing she bought would clash with it. I was horrified. After that, I don’t wrap things that go to her house, because I know they’ll never be perfect enough.
On a happier note, I’m quite impressed with your organization! Thanks for the tips–I’ll try to incorporate at least some of them this year. But not for that friend! LOL
Good tips. It’s nice if you can have a designated area where you can take up lots of room and be out of the way. Getting all your supplies…tape, paper, bows, boxes, gift tags, scissors….all together before you begin is extremely helpful and wards off later headaches. I love to play Christmas music and just let the spirit take over. I try not to worry about getting the gifts perfect. Sometimes the imperfections and unique wrapping are part of the fun.
This is very good tips to make sure that I do not get overwhelmed during the Holidays wrapping gifts. I make sure to have it organized like this because it really keeps me from feeling frazzled!
I wrap the gifts as I buy them. If I wait until Christmas Eve, I will be way too overwhelmed.
I always wrap on Christmas Eve. But your tips are good!
Don’t you just love the dollar store. I get all my wrapping stuff from there and stocking stuffers.
Good tips for people who have lots of gifts to wrap.
I always get flustered about wrapping gifts every year. It starts out fun and then gets to be work. Sometimes I am still wrapping come Christmas Eve! Not this year. I am following your advice and starting today! Love the idea of the bins!