Christmas Gift-Wrapping Time Saving Ideas

So much to do, so little time. That sums up the Holiday season from Thanksgiving through Christmas and its long to-do list. To streamline the task of Christmas gift-wrapping and get it done quicker, use these time saving ideas so you’ll have more time for shopping and being with family.

All at Once

Do all of your gift wrapping at once. Set aside a morning or afternoon, after the majority of your Christmas gift list has been crossed-off, and start the wrapping process. With the bulk of the gift wrapping done, other small purchases can be quickly wrapped as needed without consuming much time.

Get Ready

Use the cooking technique of mise en place (French for ‘putting in place’) and get ready to gift wrap by gathering all your equipment before you start. If you don’t have a dedicated table surface that can be used for the afternoon (or left in place during the season) set up an ironing board to use as your work surface.

Gather scissors, name tags, tape, pen, ribbon and all other accoutrements you may need before you begin so you won’t have to stop and waste time hunting for something.

By using a different color of wrapping paper for each child, family, workplace or other group, it will make sorting through and delivering presents quicker when December 25 ^th finally arrives.

Recycle

Wrapping paper does not have to be traditional wrapping paper. When getting everything in place, look around your house for things that can be recycled and used to wrap presents with. Colorful comics from the Sunday paper make great (and free) wrapping paper for children’s toys. An inexpensive map beautifully wraps a travel-related gift, grandparents love gifts wrapped in their grandkid’s artwork and pouches made from fabric scraps (glued or sewn) are unique ways to package small gifts of jewelry or cosmetics.

Write it Down

Have your master list handy with the person’s name and the gift purchased for them. Fill out gift name tags and write the name on the gift on the back of the gift tag to help avoid any mix-ups and also to create a personal reference for later consultation if needed. Go down the list and wrap presents in order according to the list and check off the names as you go.