Have You Shopped Til You Dropped? Wrap It Up Easily with These Tips!

Whether you shopped til you dropped on Black Friday or cashed in on deals on Cyber Monday, by Tuesday you may be wondering just how to tackle the wrapping and organizing of all of those acquired gifts. Never fear, with some planning, organizing and a "green" mindset, you can (literally) wrap up all your gift-buying frenzy with a decorative bow!

• Store receipts in a small plastic envelope. Separate holiday gift purchases from other receipts, so they're easy to find and pass along if needed. (If you don't need to return these items, there's no need to save them past the store's return policy, so odds are, you'll be shredding most of them by March 2012.) Consider taping gift receipts to the gift right away, or keep a separate envelope for them so you can sort and attach them to gifts later.
• Create a gift-wrapping station if you don’t have one already. Store all wrapping paper, tape, scissors and ribbons and bows together. Replenish these often-used supplies throughout the season as needed. If you have the space to make this area permanent, invest in a few plastic drawers and totes to hold all you need for gift-wrapping… and then save the bows, ribbons and tissue paper and gift bags you get this year for future wrapping. (Don’t forget to label the drawers/bins too!) If space doesn't allow for a permanent station, consider a guest bedroom, game room (ping-pong or billiard table are great for present wrapping) or unfilled closet for temporary storage.
• Find a place to store all gifts you buy in advance – a drawer, storage tote, underused closet… anywhere where you can put all gifts that are waiting to be wrapped. If it’s a “known” place to your spouse, make a pact to keep out. (No "secret hiding places" throughout the house allowed, or you’re likely to find things in February – after you’ve re-shopped!)
• Eco-friendly wrapping solutions are everywhere –save and re-use the gift bags that held gifts you’ve been given, and consider buying decorative boxes (like at Michael’s) to hold gifts that might be too bulky to wrap. You can re-use the boxes year after year, so they’re economical too. Or if you’re crafty, you can sew gift bags as well – a few drawstring bags made with seasonal fabric, and you’re set!
• For large gifts, consider alternatives to wasted wrapping paper such as fabric bags or any colorful bags you got at the department store – just attach a festive bow or ribbon and name tag. Or, simply leave the gift unwrapped in a secret location and create a treasure hunt with written clues for the recipient to read. That way, there is still an element of surprise when they find the gift.