5 mistakes to avoid with Christmas gift wrapping

1. Out of stock

Get your supplies in order. Plan ahead and buy paper early as you’re shopping for gifts. Make it first on your list to decide on how you will wrap your gifts this year and purchase and organise all of the fixings to have at the ready. Set up a wrapping station and, if possible make it portable so you can move room-to-room with your supplies:

• paper – buy in bulk or stock up on complimentary colours
• ribbon – a few different colours or stick to one to make it easier
• gift tags – buy extra just in case
• embellishments – bells or baubles to top gifts
• plenty of sticky tape
• a good pair of scissors
• pens for writing tags

2. The wrong amount of paper for each gift

Less is more. Don’t allow too much extra paper “just in case”. Instead be as strict as possible when cutting paper to size for each gift. Rather than folding excess at the ends, trim with scissors for a flatter fold against the gift.

3. Struggling with awkward shapes

This is where a gift bag or box comes in handy, but take care with the presentation of either. If using a box, choose one as close to the size of the gift as possible and carefully pad around the gift with fresh tissue paper. Gift bags come in all sizes and also benefit from a little padding with tissue to conceal the gift and add a little drama.  In each case finish the package with a box and beautiful tag.

 4. A mad rush

Take your time. Rather than leave your wrapping until the last minute, wrap purchases and put them under the tree as you go. This is where your mobile wrapping station comes in handy as you can grab your supplies and knock over a couple of gifts at any time. If doing it all at once, set yourself up in front of your favourite Christmas movie to get you in the spirit.

5. Scrooge sets in

Have fun with it! Quirky wrapping is a great idea and don’t be afraid make it your own style. If you’re not into the tinsel and trinkets of Christmas, change it up with old maps, furoshiki or all white craft paper and an unconventional cord tie. Your friends and family will appreciate your efforts and look forward to your wrapping each years as much as what’s inside.

This article originally appeared on Home Beautiful.