Gransnet forums

Christmas

Present wrapping - arghhh!

(87 Posts)
ferry23 Thu 11-Dec-25 10:38:37

I absolutely hate wrapping gifts. My Mum used to make gifts look like works of art and my daughter has followed suit.

Me - well I tear the paper, lose the scissors, get sellotape stuck to already wrapped gifts, manage to cut the paper too small for the gift - you get my drift.

I've just gone to wrap an umbrella for my daughter - it took my absolutely ages to source exactly what she wanted as she had various criteria it needed to fill - and it wasn't partiularly cheap. I had surplus paper at one end so cut it off - only to find that I've also cut the fabric loop on the end of the umbrella in half as it was poking out the end of the packaging.

After turning the air blue I'm now going to sit in my conservatory - the sun is shining here - and very carefully sew the loop back together. And try and decide whether I should fess up and tell her, or hope that she won't notice.

SueDoku Sat 13-Dec-25 09:06:48

I love wrapping (but do it neatly, without fuss). I set up my folding picnic table in the spare bedroom and sit on the bed to wrap. I can have all the paper, box of labels etc spread out on the bed, and yes - buy a nice heavy sellotape dispenser, they're worth their weight in gold .!
My other tip - write the label before you wrap, and attach it immediately - that way, if you wrap several similar presents, you don't have to open them to see which is which..! (Voice of bitter experience 😁)
And the umbrella? Roll in tissue paper and pop into a bottle bag... job done..!

Ilovedragonflies Sat 13-Dec-25 09:40:02

Um, I still haven't even managed to put the tree up! In my defence, I am in the throes of a nasty chest infection and I'm now taking antibiotics - hoping they kick in soon. Present wrapping has been done for my sister and family (but only because she came to see me yesterday) but any oomph I had, has not yet reappeared. I can't find my Christmas spirit at all tchenvy

NotSpaghetti Sat 13-Dec-25 09:58:01

SueDoku - unless it's a pocket/folding one I think a bottle bag is too small for a brolly!
This is easy though:

Source: Instagram share.google/ksHs0c5uGPX4TsO8B

Kc55 Sat 13-Dec-25 11:28:56

I'm with Baubles - I also start early with the actual shopping, usually in September. I get paper and ribbons in the Jan sales and in December I use the afternoons when I'm not busy, so I can watch a movie, to wrap. I used You tube for ideas for decor and feel great when it's all done. I wasn't this good when the kids were small and still remember the horror of wrapping in a frenzy in the early hours though.

glammagran Sat 13-Dec-25 21:27:05

My mother was the worst Christmas wrapper I’ve ever known. If you picked up a wrapped gift the contents would often just fall out once handled. I’m no great shakes at wrapping either (though DH is far worse). DD1 is a precision engineer when it comes to wrapping however.

Ohmother Sun 14-Dec-25 04:29:41

Am I the only one with a ‘Wrapping Station’ from a company called ‘Must Have Ideas’. It’s been a lifesaver as you clamp it to the kitchen table. It holds your roll of paper and two different sizes of tape. It also has a cutter for the sellotape. I’m on a mission today to wrap all presents whilst listening to the Archers on radio 4 and drinking Baileys. Hic!

Tanjamaltija Sun 14-Dec-25 16:00:59

To wrap gifts - not umbrellas - go the easy way. Get yourself some sweaters from the charity shop, cut across under the arms, and sew [from the inside]. Hem the bottoms, pass the ribbon through, and you have reusable gift bags. Make sure the design has no 'up' and 'down'.

jenpax Fri 19-Dec-25 16:31:14

glammagran

My mother was the worst Christmas wrapper I’ve ever known. If you picked up a wrapped gift the contents would often just fall out once handled. I’m no great shakes at wrapping either (though DH is far worse). DD1 is a precision engineer when it comes to wrapping however.

You havent met me 😂

CanadianGran Fri 19-Dec-25 21:27:11

I'm not the best by a long shot. Can't be bothered with ribbons and bows most of the time, just the wrapping and label.

But yesterday I did manage 4 tins of Quality Street. Those octagon shaped tins are not for the faint of heart!

More wrapping to do later today, I usually pour myself a glass of wine to help me along.

sodapop Sat 20-Dec-25 12:47:37

I'm too impatient to wrap presents well, fortunately Mr Soda loves wrapping and does a wonderful job. I've learned from experience that cheap paper doesn't cut the mustard.

yogitree Sat 20-Dec-25 12:54:35

ferry23. You made me laugh out loud. I too suffer from these troubles, having 'trimmed' many a present accidentally - although not so importantly than your achievement!
Merry Christmas!