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My name is Aerin Ogden. If you put me in a room with cookie dough, a good movie, and my dog Scout, I’m completely happy. I currently work with Santa Claus Writes, a company that sends personalized Santa letters to children. My ultimate goal is to one day make the holidays completely stress-free.

Christmas is just around the corner, and like many of you, I try to prepare early. However, no matter how hard I try, I end up having to finish wrapping all of my presents on Christmas Eve. Because I always have to rush, my wrapped presents in the past have looked more like wrinkled blobs of wrapping paper that are smothered with tape.

10 Christmas Gift Wrapping Hacks

Wrapping presents can be a pain. Tape gets everywhere, wrapping paper rips, and uncoordinated fingers get painful papercuts. If this is you, you’re in for a treat. Here are 10 hacks that have saved me time, money, and pain. Once you hear them, you’ll have wished that you had known about them years ago.

Hack #1: Don’t Use Wrapping Paper for Round Presents

Wrapping paper and round don’t mix (unless you want your present to look like a ball of tape). Instead, use fabric to wrap curvy objects. Place the item in the middle of the fabric, then pull the opposite corners of the fabric, and tie them together. Gather the corners and tie them off with a ribbon. Voila!

Hack #2: Recycle Your Old Clothes

If you don’t have wrapping paper or fabric, you can always use your old wardrobe. Scarves are great for bows or for wrapping small gifts. You can even use old sweaters for a fun holiday look.

Hack #3: Double-Sided Tape is Your Best Friend

Buy double-sided tape. Just do it. Double-sided tape makes wrapping paper much easier to work with. Corners will stick better and you won’t have to use as much tape on your presents. You will be amazed at how much more polished (and less tacky) your presents will look.

Hack #4: Gift Bags Are Your Opt-Out

Do you have an oddly shaped gift? Clothes or sports equipment are sometimes just too awkward to wrap. If you are stumped, put it in a large gift bag with tissue paper. Easy fix.

Hack #5: Yarn Isn’t Just for Grannies and Kitties

Wrap small toys over and over in a ball of yarn. Kids will especially have fun unravelling their gifts. Use red, green, and white colors of yarn to give it a fun holiday feel.

Hack #6: Place Your Present Diagonally on the Wrapping Paper

This hack makes wrapping presents go insanely quick. Placing your present diagonally on the wrapping paper will enable you to finish under a minute. Check out this video to see how it works by visiting YouTube.com.

Hack #7: Make It Classy with Newspaper

Use newspapers as a substitute for wrapping paper. Tying twine into a bow to finish it off. Using newspaper will give your gifts a classy, vintage look that is bound to turn some heads.

Hack #8: Storage for Wrapping Paper is Easy

Sick of having your wrapping paper unravel and take up space? Put your rolls of wrapping paper in a garment bag, and hang it in your closet for easy storage.

 

Hack #9: Save Your Grocery Bags

Remember those brown paper bags from your last grocery shopping trip? Wrap your presents in those! The brown paper texture gives a very beautiful rustic look. Add a finishing touch by garnishing with string, pinecones, pine needles, or sticks.

Hack #10: If You Run Out of Tape…

If you run out of tape on Christmas Eve, don’t freak out. Put your origami skills to the test and fold your wrapping paper in a special way to hold everything together. Watch the tutorial here on YouTube.

I hope these hacks will help make wrapping presents a little easier. Now you are ready to impress your family and friends with your ultimate gift wrapping skills. Enjoy your next Christmas Eve gift-wrapping venture, and most importantly, have a Merry Christmas!