Wrapping Supplies! One of my favorite topics!
I have a TON packed into the “North Pole” storage area upstairs! The majority of my wrapping paper are in two long shallow totes designed for that purpose. I also have one stand up bin that I put the extra long rolls in.
The totes also have even shallower trays that fit on either end on top of the main container area that I keep gift tags, tissue paper and tape in.
I have another tote full of wired ribbon and a smaller box filled with thin ribbons, not wired. Then I have another big cardboard box full of paper bows.
I save all my ribbon and bows (as possible) from year to year which helps keep my supply from dwindling. Used pieces of wired ribbon get smoothed out and wrapped around empty paper towel tubes then stacked in a basket or large paper bag. I save gift bags and gift boxes too if they are in good enough shape.
I also have a supply of baskets to use for gift baskets, all purchased for $0.25 or $0.50 at garage sales. In fact, I find a LOT of wired ribbon, brand new, at garage sales as well.
All of supplies I’ve purchased are from after Christmas sales, so they were at least 50% off. I also like to purchase rolls of holiday them cellophane at the same time. Depending on the pattern I can create a really pretty effect by wrapping a box in paper then layering the cellophane over it.
I buy green shredded paper basket filler after Easter. This year I also found bags of metallic shreds, gold, silver and iridescent, for $0.10 each after Easter.
When wrapping gifts I also like to add toppers or other doo-dads to packages. My hot glue gun lets me stick some things on that way, if I’m not tying them into a bow of wired ribbon. In the past I’ve used buttons or made simple shapes from empty food packaging (cereal boxes, etc.) that is covered in glue and then glitter.
Jingle bells, dollar store ornaments, bits of faux greenery or flowers cut apart with wire cutters, you name it!
Another good tip for impressive, but frugal, basket or stocking stuffer filler is to fill a snack bag about 1/4th full of candy, etc. then roll it up. Wrap the roll in paper so it looks like a tube shape, then wrap again in cellophane, tying off at each end with curling ribbon. Looks super cute and can really help fill up a basket for pennies!
When it comes to tape my general go to is the purple package version of Scotch Magic tape. I find it doesn’t “show” as much against most of my wrapping papers.
The exception to this are the metallic papers. For those I use double sided tape. I fold small “hems” into the seams of the paper and use the double sided tape to fasten down so nothing shows.
I’ve tried many different bow tutorials via Pinterest on making bows from wired ribbon and find that having a stapler handy is essential for many of them!
That is all I can think of for now!!!