Gift Drawers, Corners or Closets

by Cindi Sutter, Founder & Editor of The Spirited Table®

Host and Hostess gifts are offered in very simple wrapping like a wine bottle bag with a bow or a bit more fuss with dramatic layers of ribbons, bows and paper. 

Personally I savor and revel in the idea that sometimes the wrapping can be more fun than buying the gift. Why, because I love the thrill of a treasure hunt.

Like many others, I buy ribbons and paper on sale at places like Target, Pier 1, Michaels, Papyrus, Hancock Fabrics and other sewing stores (especially during their after Christmas sales). 

Now the hard part, a place to organize it all, or you will never use it! This bucket and plastic planter do the trick. (see details below)

Tools required-large paint bucket, tool pouch tied around the bucket, plastic window box with a long dowel to hold the rolls of ribbon. If you have leftover ribbon just roll and pin them around a chord of ribbon. 

But it's also about that unique piece, like a paper butterfly or a pine cone or whatever pops into your head that day, that is the icing on the cake.  

If you have an extra corner in a closet, this is a great way to organize your "fix-ins" - yes that is a southern word for most anything you are arranging or preparing. You can see I need some ribbon buying therapy, but when they are $1 to $4 for a large roll, it's hard to resist. 

Gift bags store perfectly in a see through tub. This ribbon holder was a gift from a wrap-a-holic friend. The hanging bag organizer and plastic drawer stack complete the wrapping station by providing a drawer for used ribbons, tissue paper, gift cards etc. 

Next, you need a few shelves for gifts. I try to attach a post-it note with the persons name the gift is for; that doesn't always happen, but it's a good goal. 

Lastly, you need bubble wrap, extra boxes and containers for shipping etc. 

Here are a few finished products; don't be afraid to think outside the wrapping box.  

Simply by using several different ribbons or tying them in such a way it looks like your stacking them, (see below) makes a big splash and requires very little time or additional costs. 

I think the most important part of gift buying is doing it all year long when you see it and hopefully it is on sale. And the secret to easy wrapping is being organized on the front end and having some fun while you do it. Get the kids involved, no fretting allowed.