The year end holidays are busy as we plan the family schedule, purchase gifts, bake cookies and more. Wrapping paper and ribbon/bows are part of the holiday bustle unless you like buying your paper when it goes on sale after Christmas. Either way it's helpful to have a wrapping paper organizer to keep track of what you have (or need to buy).
Matching Wrapping Paper Organizer to Your Storage Space
Start by deciding where you're going to store your wrapping paper. This depends on … or so I thought when I first wrote this article:
- How much wrapping paper do you want to keep at home? With kids, there are lots of birthday parties. If you have space, you can save money buying next year's Christmas paper after the holidays (I do this for my craft ribbon).
- How often will you need to wrap gifts? Most of my gift wrapping happens at Christmas so I don't need it to be easily accessible.
- Where do you have space for rolls of wrapping paper? Somehow we never have enough closets. That means your wrapping paper might go in the garage, basement or attic.
Creative Wrapping Paper Organizers that Give You More Options
As I write this I'm laughing at myself. When I wrote this article years ago, I wasn't shopping online yet (that cam during the pandemic). Now I'm rewriting the article because there are so more wrapping paper organizers than I ever imagined … so here are your choices.
Tall, Standing Storage Bags Get the Job Done!
There are tall wrapping paper boxes specifically designed to hold wrapping paper. You can also find tall baskets that can be used for other things like trash and laundry. In fact the basket I'm using in the garage (top photo) is a laundry basket.
Rolling Wrapping Paper Carts Also Great
If you've got a craft room, you might want one of these great wrapping paper carts. They all have different ways of storing gift wrap and craft supplies. They're also easy to use with wheels so you can roll right them up to your work area whether it's a desk, the dining room table or the kitchen island.
The best wrapping paper cart I found was at the Container Store (below). It's designed specifically for wrapping paper storage with a shelf for tall rolls of wrapping paper, drawers that pull out for gift bags, bows and everything else. But I didn't buy it because I simply don't wrap enough gifts to justify the expense … either cost or space.
Hanging Organizers Work in Closets
Maybe your closets are full and overflowing … maybe not. Now that I've moved to Florida, my front hall closet doesn't need to hold many coats so I've got my Halloween costume and skates there.
You might just find a few inches to add a hanging organizer with all your wrapping paper. A 2-sided wrapping paper organizer might be perfect if your kids have lots of birthday parties. Maybe it's time to delegate this task by adding kid friendly scissors and tape?
Over The Door Wrapping Paper Organizer
If you don't have extra space in your closets, another option is an over-the-door organizer. Most of these are designed for clothes (or kitchen pantry) but here's a nice one I found with a tall pocket for rolls of wrapping paper. What I loved was the dowel on top that's perfect for ribbon … for gift wrapping and lots of craft supplies (read:
Want to Store Wrapping Paper Under Your Bed?
There's a first for everything and if space is tight, you might want to find a wrapping paper box that slides easily under your bed. Be careful though, because my bed won't allow anything taller than 6 inches (see above).
Wrapping Paper Boxes for the Attic, Garage or Basement
If you're like me, you only use lots of wrapping paper for Christmas gifts. In that case it's probably fine to keep your supplies in the garage (my garage at top), attic or basement. If you're planning to do this, Make sure your wrapping paper storage box has sturdy zippers and handles to hold up as you grab and carry them.
What's Your Favorite Wrapping Paper Organizer?
As I explored all the options for storing wrapping paper, my first question was … how many rolls of paper do you really need? While I love the wrapping paper organizer at the Container Store, the cost and space wasn't something I could justify. So here's what I've done to … have my cake and eat it too!
- During the year, my wrapping paper sits in a laundry basket in the garage along with pool noodles and other tall things.
- At Christmas time, I borrow my grandkids craft cart and modify it to work as a wrapping paper organizer that I can roll around (above on right). While there aren't any drawers, there's plenty of space for ribbon, tags, scissors, tape and anything else involved in gift wrapping.
Don't like anything shown here? Then it's time to create your own wrapping paper organizer. The one below uses an Elfa gift wrap rack from the Container Store … so let's get wrapping!
I love the all-in-one organizers! That way I wouldn’t have to wander all over the house to gather everything I need to wrap a gift – what a good idea!