Solid-color paper, solid ribbon in contrasting or complementary colors, double-sided tape, and scissors (used only for cutting wrapping paper and ribbon, so they'll stay sharp and clean) are all you need for a basic, year-round wrapping station:
Grosgrain Ribbon
With its ridged surface, this classic cotton ribbon dresses up any paper. Unlike paper or plastic ribbons, which crimp or fold when you tie them and which all too readily show mistakes, grosgrain can be retied and reused.
Try: A rainbow of ribbons to suit any occasion — yellow, aqua, pink, white, red, and Kelly green. $9 a spool (11 yards long, one inch wide), Kate's Paperie,
www.katespaperie.com.
Paper
Stock your wrapping kit with solid-color paper. It may be more expensive than the poinsettia and sleigh-bells five-pack, but when paired with the right ribbons, it can be used for all occasions — Christmas, Hanukkah, birthdays, weddings, baby showers. Order the paper in bulk so you're never caught without it on hand.
Try: Wet-Look solid wrap in lime and red, $4.25 for 11.25 square feet; Crayon white wrap, $4 for 11.25 square feet: Stephen Lawrence, 800-342-9727.
And, in a Pinch, Bags
That gigantic teddy bear, that star-shaped cardboard lantern — they'd be impossible, or at least punishing, to wrap were it not for these 36-by-44-inch plastic gift sacks (one size only — a
foot wider and nearly two feet longer than tall kitchen bags). They come in a variety of holiday and nonholiday prints.
Try: Giant gift sack in Hampton Candy Stripe, from the Gift Wrap Company, $4.25 (includes matching ribbon and gift card), 800-443-4429.
Gift Tags
Once you've wrapped your gifts, personalize them with one of these.
1. Making Memories flower-shaped tags ($4.50 for 12,
www.makingmemories.com for store locations) are made of clear vellum.
2. Merry Christmas Sweetie gift enclosures, ($3 each,
www.yousendme.com for store locations) come with opaque glassine envelopes.
3. Gift tags by Garrison-Cole.com ($5.50 for 10, 919-829-0970) sport a modern design with just enough room for your name and theirs.
4. Double-dipped circle tags ($3.50 for 12,
www.makingmemories.com for stores) come in bright primary colors.
5. Jack and Lulu wooden-spoon gift tags ($12 for 12, Lollie, 847-328-7303) let you relive your childhood.
6. GFDG Studio gift tags ($4 for four, 650-949-4343) have room for longer messages.
7. Alphabetique gift tags ($1.25 each, 888-751-2550) have a fun retro look.
8. Iomoi gift tags ($15 for nine,
www.iomoi.com) tie on with old-fashioned bakery string.
