There’s nothing worst than finding the perfect gift, only to realize you have nothing to wrap it in. Suddenly, you’re grabbing a gift bag, tissue paper, and a card at checkout, adding an extra expense you didn’t plan for. Keeping a few gift-wrapping essentials on hand makes it easy to put together a thoughtful, presentable gift without the last-minute scramble or extra spending. Here is how to always present the perfect gift no matter the occasion.
Why You Should Keep Gift-Wrapping Essentials at Home
Lowers unexpected cost – Everything is more expensive these dates and gift wrapping is no exception. Now that we live in a world where ONE card costs $12, and packets of tissue paper cost more than the gift itself, preparing ahead of time can save so much money in the long run. It shouldn’t cost a fortune to present the perfect gift.
Being prepared = being thoughtful – There’s nothing worse than showing up to a birthday or Christmas party with your gift in an old shopping bag and having to preface in front of everyone that their gift isn’t actually from that store followed by an apology. Having a few things like bags, tissue paper, and a few blank cards on hand go a long way in showing the gift receiver that thought went into their gift. And all it takes is one trip to the dollar store.
Blank Thank You Cards
Having blank thank you cards is such a game changer if you don’t have time to go to the store, or you’re strapped for cash. I recommend getting a pack of 10 or 20 cards to have on hand at all times. Make sure the cards don’t actually say thank you on them. When the front is just a simple pattern, or has a generic phrase on it, you can use the same card no matter the occasion. Typically the packs of blank thank you cards are variety packs that come with cards that have multiple patterns. This means you can technically give someone a “new” card for every occasion.
Keep Versatile Tissue Paper in Stock
Having a variety pack of tissue paper is the best way to add color to any gift. Rather than buying themed tissue paper for every occasion I recommend getting a few colors that can coordinate with almost anything. Here are the colors that will help you present the perfect gift for any occasion.
Light and Dark Blue – These will get you through gender reveals, Father’s Day, and boy parties of all ages.
Light and Dark Pink – These will also get you through gender reveals, girl parties for all ages, wedding showers, postpartum mom gifts, Mother’s Day, and everything in between.
White – This will cover the gaps. White pairs with everything! I typically use white for wedding gifts and Christmas gifts.
Wrapping Paper with a Pattern
If your gift comes in a box, wrapping paper can be a great way to make it look put together. Just like with tissue paper, stick to neutral colors or versatile patterns that work for different occasions.
When I’m shopping for wrapping paper, I ask myself, “Could I use this for a 5 year old girl’s present and a 25 year old man’s present without it looking out of place?” If the answer is yes, it’s worth buying.
It’s also helpful to think about the events you have coming up over the next year. Do you have several baby showers to attend or a few weddings on the calendar? Consider keeping a roll or two of wrapping paper with a simple pattern that works for those occasions. The goal is to have a few versatile options ready when you need them, rather than stocking up on specific birthday or holiday designs you might only use once. Planning a bit goes a long way when you want to present the perfect gift.
Save Gift Bags to Reuse Later
This might be the most budget-friendly tip of them all! With the holiday season coming up, start saving the gift bags you receive instead of tossing them once the gift is opened. As long as they’re still in good condition, fold them up and store them away for the next occasion. Over time, you’ll build a collection of gift bags in different sizes without having to spend money on new ones every time you give a gift.
If you’re starting from scratch, look for bags with simple designs or fun patterns that can work for multiple occasions. Skip bags that say things like “Happy Birthday” or “Baby Boy” unless you have a specific event in mind. Christmas is the exception! Since those bags are meant for one particular season, feel free to have fun with festive colors and patterns.
Extra Supplies
Sometimes I get so focused on the fun stuff like the wrapping paper and thank you cards and completely forget about things like scissors, tape, and pens. While these items aren’t as fun to think about, you always want to make sure you have the supplies needed that make it all come together.
Some other items that will give your gift that personalized touch are ribbon, twine, gift tags, and gift boxes. These things aren’t necessary, but sometimes they’re nice to have.
Gift Giving Checklist
If you’re ready to put together your own gift-wrapping collection, use this checklist to make sure you have all the essentials on hand. You can collect these items over time as you find things you love, or if convenience is more your style, I’ve put together a gift-giving checklist so you can shop everything in once place. Having these basics ready to go makes it easier to put together a thought gift without the last minute shopping trip.
- Blank Thank You Cards
- Versatile tissue paper
- Wrapping paper
- Gift bags in different sizes
- Ribbon or twine
- Pens for cards
- Gift boxes
Prefer a paper copy? Download the printable checklist to keep with your gift-wrapping supplies!
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More From Golden Hour Grains
Looking for more ways to make the holidays and special occasions feel a little more thoughtful? These homemade recipes are perfect for sharing with friends, bringing to a gathering, or adding to a gift for someone special.
Salted Caramel Peanut Butter Cup Cookies
Sourdough Chocolate Chip Muffins
Pumpkin Sourdough Dinner Rolls
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