Ellen Timberlake, winner of the 2000 Scotch Brand Most Gifted Wrapper Contest, shares some great tips to get you started. It’s all about space, surface, supplies and tools.

By Ellen Timberlake

Setting Up a Gift-wrapping Work Station
Expert Tips on Customizing Your Gift Wrap

When it comes time to wrap your holiday presents, it is easier if you have a designated spot in your home for accomplishing the task.

Find a smooth surface where you can spread out: A table or counter works better than the bed and is less stressful on your back than working seated on the floor. A good idea is to use one table, like the kitchen table, for your actual wrapping, and then stack all your supplies out of the way on a side table, such as a card table.

Store all your supplies in one place: Whether in an unoccupied dresser drawer or in a large storage box under the bed, the convenience of keeping EVERYTHING you need together cannot be overstated. Storing all your supplies in large, flat boxes or plastic bins makes them easy to transport to your wrapping table area and saves time because you don’t have to search for what you need throughout the house.

Keep the proper gift-wrapping tools handy:

• The Scotch Gift Wrap Cutter is great for cutting paper and has a built-in ribbon curler. It creates clean, straight lines when cutting gift wrap and has a protective blade.
• The Scotch Pop-Up Tape Dispenser makes gift wrapping easier because you wear the tape dispenser on your wrist and it dispenses pre-cut strips of tape. Your tape won’t get lost under the gift-wrap paper anymore!
• Small, pointed scissors are great for cutting flowers, wire-edge ribbon and other embellishments. Scissors that are too large will tire out your hands when you have lots of wrapping to do.
• Measuring string, specifically a piece of cotton string approximately two yards long with a knot tied at each end, makes it easy to measure around your box to determine the length of gift-wrap paper you will need.
• Nylon fishing line attaches ornaments to packages.
• Florist tape makes stems for your ribbon flowers.
• Pinking shears can be used to make ribbon flowers.

Stock up on these gift-wrapping materials:

• Tissue paper: Keep an assortment on hand so that you can mix and match different colors and patterns.
• Boxes: Keep the ones that are in good condition and use them from year to year. Save space by storing small ones in larger ones.
• Wrapping paper: Keep wrapping paper on hand for all different occasions, or always have a standard paper, such as ivory enamel, on hand that can be used for any occasion. That way, you’re prepared for any last-minute wrapping challenges.
• Ribbon: Keep an assortment of colors, widths and types on hand. Remember that one type of ribbon is better for some styles of bows than it is for others.
• Yarn: This is also good to have in a variety of colors, especially bright shades for children’s gifts and pastels for baby gifts.
• Curling ribbon: This type of ribbon comes in an array of colors and is used to decorate smaller gifts, to accent large boxes, or to attach an ornament to a package.
• Lace: This traditional material adds a nice touch to wedding gifts. White and ivory are good, basic colors to keep on hand.
• Ornaments: Any kind of ornament or small novelty item can be used to decorate a package, and should vary to suit the tastes of individual recipients or the event being celebrated.
• Gift Tags: Keep an assortment that coordinate with the wrapping paper you have on hand, as well as a few plain white cards that can be used anytime.

Wrap all your presents at once: Once your station is set up and your tools and supplies are in place, it is best to wrap all your presents at once. You will not have to pack and unpack all your tools and materials, which will save you valuable time.

(Image via stock.xchng)

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