Care and Storage Guide for Gift Wrapping Supplies

In brief: Store gift wrapping supplies somewhere dry and out of direct sunlight, with enough room to prevent crushing and creasing. Support the rolls and keep sheets and bags flat. Give delicate bows their own space so they're ready to reuse.

Three things to remember

1. Choose a dry, accessible spot away from direct sunlight.
2. Measure your longest roll before choosing a container.
3. Keep special paper in acid-free materials if you want to save it.

A closet shelf can hold a wrapping stash just as well as a craft room. An under-bed container can work, too, if it's long enough for the rolls and doesn't squash everything else. Matching bins aren't necessary.

Gather your supplies before picking their new home. Sort them by shape and by how often you use them. Leave a little room between rolls so pulling one out doesn't disturb the rest.

Choose a storage spot that fits your supplies

Measure the longest roll first. Then look for a dry indoor spot you can reach without unloading the closet. Check for dampness before putting anything away.

Thing is, one container doesn't have to hold the whole collection. Rolls might fit best in a closet, while a small pouch of tape, tags, and scissors can stay near your wrapping spot. Ribbon by Design's organizing guide also recommends giving supplies a dedicated spot and avoiding containers that are too small for the rolls.

Protect paper, bags, and bows

You can stand rolls upright or lay them flat. Either way, don't force them into a tight space or bend the ends to make them fit. A loose paper band will keep a partly used roll from opening, without leaving tape on the printed surface.

Bags and tissue need a flatter spot. Fold each gift bag along its existing creases, then nest bags of similar sizes together. Smooth reusable tissue by hand and stack it in a folder or shallow box; larger flat sheets can lie flat nearby when there's room.

Keep bows away from the weight of the rolls. They need room, too, so give them a separate spot where other supplies won't crush them.

For a sentimental piece of wrapping paper you want to keep, consider an acid-free folder or box with acid-free tissue. Your everyday paper doesn't all need special storage materials.

Keep ribbon and tools easy to find

Short pieces of ribbon are easy to lose among full spools. Gather the usable lengths in a small pouch, or wind longer leftovers loosely around cardboard. Secure the ends of spools, too, so they stay put.

Keep tape and labels with your tools instead of pressing them against decorative paper. Close scissors before storing them, and keep them out of young children's reach, even if the rest of your supplies are in an accessible basket.

Avoid common storage mistakes

A bin may look tidy with the lid on, but that won't help much if the bows are crushed and the roll ends are bent when you open it again. Check the contents before you put it away:

• Overstuffed containers: Leave room around rolls and give bows a separate spot.
• Damp or leaky spots: Choose an indoor closet or shelf over a garage that gets damp. Let reusable materials dry before storing them, and discard wrapping with visible mold.
• Loose tape: Keep sticky ends away from paper and ribbon.
• Hard-to-reach storage: Pick a place you can reach without unloading the closet first.
• Keeping every scrap: Save clean pieces you're likely to use. Recycle suitable paper according to local rules.

Turns out, a little space can make the next wrapping session easier. You can take out what you need without squeezing rolls past one another or disturbing the bows.

Make a simple care routine

After wrapping, put back what you want to reuse. Smooth the tissue, flatten the bags along their folds, and wind up loose ribbon. Return the rolls to their container without packing them tightly.

A label on the container helps you find its contents without unpacking everything. Put the supplies you expect to use next toward the front.

Before a busy gift season, check for creased paper, tangled ribbon, and anything that's running low. Whether you're wrapping a handmade present or choosing personalized gifts, having the basics nearby makes it easier to add the finishing touches.

There's no strict schedule to follow. If you wrap only a few times a year, a quick check before birthdays and holidays may be enough.

Frequently asked questions

How do you store wrapping paper without crushing it?

Support upright rolls in a tall, stable container, or lay them flat with nothing heavy on top. Measure the longest roll before choosing the container. Its ends shouldn't bend to fit.

How do you store gift bags and tissue paper?

Flatten bags along the folds they already have. Group similar sizes in a bin or on a shelf, with enough room for the larger bags. Smooth reusable tissue by hand and keep it flat nearby in a folder or shallow box.

What can you do with leftover wrapping paper?

Keep clean pieces large enough for small gifts, tags, or a patch on an awkwardly shaped package. Store those scraps together so they don't disappear among the full rolls. Recycle suitable paper according to your local rules.

The bottom line

Start by gathering your supplies and measuring the longest roll. Choose a dry, accessible spot with enough room for the paper and separate space for delicate bows. Then put the supplies you'll reach for next at the front.