How to store wrapping paper so it stays neat and easy to find

The short answer: the easiest way to store wrapping paper is upright in a tall bin, so every roll stands on end and you can see every pattern. If floor space is tight, hang rolls on a closet door or lay them flat in a long under-bed bin.

• Stop unraveling: a paper towel tube cut lengthwise
• Cheap holders: a tall kitchen wastebasket, laundry hamper or umbrella stand
• Keep tape, scissors, ribbon and tags in the same spot
• 15 low-cost ideas and a wrap station below
• Next step: Plan it with the Christmas Budget & Gift Planner ($4.99).

The easiest way to store wrapping paper is upright in a tall bin, so every roll stands on its end and you can see all your patterns at once. If floor space is tight, hang rolls on the back of a closet door or lay them flat in a long under-bed bin. Keep rolls from unraveling with a cut paper towel tube, and keep tape, scissors, ribbon and tags in the same spot so wrapping takes minutes, not a scavenger hunt. When it's time to use it, here's how to wrap a present neatly.

I'm a family coordinator at heart, and I love giving and receiving cards. A wrap station with everything in one place is one of my favorite little systems for the holidays.

The best ways to store wrapping paper rolls

15 easy ideas for storing wrapping paper

Upright storage

1. A tall kitchen wastebasket. Stand rolls on end in a clean, tall trash can. It's cheap and fits in a closet corner.
2. A laundry hamper. A tall hamper holds rolls upright and has room for a bag of bows.
3. A tall umbrella stand or bucket. Good for a small collection.
4. A tall storage bin with a lid keeps dust off between seasons.

Hanging storage

5. An over-the-door rack. Over-the-door organizers with pockets or loops hold rolls, tape and scissors behind a closet door.
6. A garment bag. Hang it in a coat closet and drop rolls inside, with gift bags in the pockets.
7. A wall rod or towel bar. Thread rolls on a rod so you can tear off exactly what you need.
8. Skirt hangers. Clip flat sheets of leftover paper to a skirt hanger and hang it in a closet.

Flat and hidden storage

9. A long under-bed bin. Lay rolls flat and slide the bin under the bed.
10. A wrapping paper storage box. Made-for-purpose boxes with dividers keep rolls, ribbon and tags together.
11. The top shelf of a closet. Lay rolls side by side behind a shelf divider.

Keep rolls and scraps neat

12. Cut paper towel or toilet paper tubes lengthwise and slide them over rolls so they don't unroll.
13. Rubber bands, hair ties or a strip of paper held with tape work too.
14. File scraps in a folder or large envelope for small gifts and gift card holders.
15. File flat gift bags upright in a magazine holder or bin, and keep tissue flat in a shallow box.

How to set up a simple wrap station

Pick one bin, shelf or door and keep everything for wrapping together:

Keep a printed sheet of our free Christmas gift tags in the wrap station with scissors and tape so every gift gets labeled as you go.

• Wrapping paper rolls, with patterns for each holiday and birthdays
• Clear tape and double-sided tape
• Scissors kept only for wrapping
• Ribbon, bows and twine
• Gift tags and a marker or pen
• Gift bags and tissue paper
• A few boxes in common sizes
• Cards for the season, since cards and gifts often go out together

Wrapping is faster when nothing has to be found first. For pretty, low-cost ways to use your supply, see Christmas gift wrapping ideas.

Where to store wrapping paper (and where not to)

Choose a cool, dry spot away from direct sun, like a closet, under a bed or a spare room shelf. Attics and garages can get hot, cold or damp, which can fade printed paper, curl rolls and weaken tape. If you store holiday wrap with your decorations, keep it in its own labeled bin so it doesn't get crushed. Our guide to Christmas decoration storage covers bins, labels and the rest of the holiday storage plan.

Before you store it: sort, reuse or recycle

After the holidays, sort your supply before it goes back into storage:

• Keep full rolls and large clean pieces.
• Reuse gift bags, tissue paper and ribbon. The EPA's recycling FAQ encourages reusing gift bags and tissue paper instead of throwing them out after one use, and notes that a lot of gift wrap isn't recyclable because of its shiny, laminated coating.
• Recycle what your local program accepts. Michigan's environmental agency, in its holiday gift wrap recycling guide, says plain brown craft paper is always recyclable, simple tissue paper is typically accepted with mixed paper, and glittered gift wrap can contaminate recycling. Rules vary, so check with your own provider.

Buy wrap after the holidays when it's on sale, then count your rolls before you shop next fall. You'll likely find you need less than you think.

Plan the gifts, not just the wrap

A tidy wrap station works best when you know who you're wrapping for. The Christmas Budget & Gift Planner ($4.99) has a holiday budget page, gift list, stocking stuffer list, Christmas card list and online order tracker, plus a spreadsheet for Excel and Google Sheets. Keep a printed gift list next to your wrapping supplies and check gifts off as you wrap.

Want a head start? Get the free Holiday Budget Starter Kit, three US Letter pages we email you after you join our list.

Get the whole season organized

The Holiday Season Bundle ($15.99, $25.94 if bought separately) includes the Christmas Budget & Gift Planner, Sinking Funds Tracker, Meal Planner & Grocery List, 100 Envelope Savings Challenge, Bill Tracker Printable and Cleaning Schedule. Browse all holiday planners.

See also

• How to organize Christmas decorations
• Christmas gift wrapping ideas
• DIY Christmas gifts
• Holiday budget