Before You Wrap the Christmas Presents, Check You’ve Got the Sellotape!

Get ready to wrap your Christmas presents with this handy checklist for wrapping paper, Sellotape, string, gift tags, Christmas cards and stamps.

You’ve bought the Christmas presents, put the kettle on and cleared the dining table for a spot of wrapping. 

Then you look at the roll of Sellotape and realise there’s just enough left to stick down one corner. And where have the scissors gone?

This is how a perfectly ordinary Christmas evening ends with somebody rooting through the toolbox and asking, “Do you think black insulation tape would do?”

A quick check of what you’ve already got can save a dash to the shops. And while you’re at it, count the Christmas cards. An impressive stack of cards is considerably less impressive when you discover only three of them have envelopes.

Your Christmas wrapping and card checklist

- Wrapping paper. Check how much is actually left on each roll. Set aside a full roll or a large sheet for the biggest presents.

- Sellotape or paper tape. Give the roll a quick test and keep a spare handy if you’ve got a pile of presents to wrap.

- Scissors. Find a sharp pair before you start. Paper that tears halfway across a sheet rarely tears in the direction you had in mind.

- String, ribbon or twine. Check you have enough to go round the larger parcels and still tie a bow.

- Gift tags and a pen. Write the tag as soon as you wrap each present. Six parcels in identical paper can turn into quite the guessing game.

- Gift bags and tissue paper. Handy for awkward shapes. A mug with a handle can make surprisingly short work of a sheet of wrapping paper.

- Christmas cards, envelopes and stamps. Make a list of who’s getting a card, check you have their current addresses and look up Royal Mail’s last posting dates if you’re sending cards by post.

Wrap the big ones first

Start with the biggest presents while you still have full sheets of paper. Save the offcuts for books, small boxes and stocking fillers. If you’re posting a present, set aside a sturdy outer box, something to cushion the contents and a roll of parcel tape as well.

And if you’re tempted to leave everything until Christmas Eve, try wrapping a few presents now. You’ll soon discover whether you’re short of paper, tags or ribbon, with time to do something about it.

After all, there’s only so much festive cheer you can get out of a roll of black insulation tape.

Ten Clever Ways to Save Money on Christmas Wrapping

Have you ever calculated how much you spend on Christmas wrapping paper, gift bags, ribbons and bows?

Individually, these items might seem inexpensive. 

Collectively, however, they can make a surprising dent in the Christmas budget.

Fortunately, attractive gift wrapping doesn't have to cost a fortune.

Here are ten ideas worth trying.

1. Reuse gift bags. A good-quality Christmas gift bag can often be used several times.

2. Choose plain brown paper. Decorate it with string, ribbon or a small sprig of greenery for a traditional appearance.

3. Save decorative boxes. Attractive packaging from previous purchases can be reused for Christmas gifts.

4. Use fabric wrapping. Scarves, tea towels and reusable fabric wraps can become part of the present.

5. Make your own gift tags. Cut shapes from old Christmas cards and attach them with string.

6. Buy wrapping materials after Christmas. Reduced-price seasonal supplies can be stored for the following year.

7. Use reusable ribbons. Carefully untie bows rather than cutting them off.

8. Decorate plain paper yourself. Stamps, drawings and handwritten messages can create unique designs.

9. Avoid excessive packaging. A neatly wrapped present doesn't need several layers of decorative material.

10. Use what you already own. Check cupboards and drawers before buying more supplies.

Children may particularly enjoy helping to decorate homemade wrapping paper.

A few potato-print stars or hand-drawn Christmas trees can turn ordinary paper into something wonderfully personal.

There's an environmental benefit, too.

Some wrapping paper contains plastic coatings, glitter or metallic finishes that make recycling difficult. Reusable materials can help reduce waste.

At That's Christmas 365, we think presentation should be part of the pleasure of giving.

But there's no reason why beautiful wrapping should cost almost as much as the present inside.

A little creativity can produce results that are attractive, affordable and much more personal.