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Wrapping gifts in a small home usually means a pile of paper on the bed, tape that disappears and a box of ribbons that lives in the back of a closet. A little planning makes the whole job easier and cleaner.
These ten ideas cover what to wrap with, where to wrap and how to store the supplies so they fit in one drawer or box.
Before you start
- Choose a surface. A table, a bed with a board on top or a floor mat all work.
- Count the gifts. The number decides how much paper and how many bags you need.
- Buy by the roll size. Flat rolls store better than tubes.
- Keep scissors and tape together. Put them in a small caddy.
01A wrapping station in a drawer
A shallow drawer or a lidded box with paper, tape, scissors, ribbon and tags in one place saves the hunt on Christmas Eve.
02Under-bed wrapping storage
A flat storage box under the bed holds rolls and bags and costs you no closet space. Pick a size that fits your bed height.
03Kraft paper with a ribbon
Plain brown kraft paper is cheap, goes with everything and looks good with a ribbon and a sprig of green. One roll covers most gifts.
04Reusable fabric wraps
Fabric wraps are used year after year and fold flat. They are also faster than paper for odd shapes.
05Reusable gift bags
Bags with a ribbon handle take ten seconds and can be used again. Choose sizes that nest.
06A ribbon on a spool
A ribbon on a spool with a built-in cutter keeps the ribbon tidy and saves time. A few colors are enough.
07Tags that do double duty
Use natural wood or paper tags that can also be hung on the tree. See our Christmas gift ideas for small homes for ideas on what goes inside.
08Tape that is not shiny
Double-sided tape gives a clean look with no visible tape. Get one with a dispenser.
09A wrapping mat
A cutting mat or large board on the bed or table protects the surface and gives you the straight edge you need.
10A place for the finished gifts
Finished gifts need a home too. A basket or a closet shelf keeps them out of sight until the day. Our small apartment Christmas decorating ideas show how to pack seasonal items flat.
A plan by time
- Ten minutes: set up a caddy with scissors, tape and tags.
- An hour: wrap the first ten gifts.
- A weekend: make the wrapping station and store the supplies for next year.
Before you pay
- Measure the biggest gift before buying paper or bags.
- Check that rolls fit in your storage box.
- Choose reusable options when you can.
- If you need an extra hook or shelf for gift storage, see our Christmas entryway decor ideas.
