Don't Get Unravelled Over Wrapping Gifts

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While some people may shutter at the idea of spending hours in crowded stores picking out presents, many others cringe at the idea of having to wrap all of their holiday finds. That's why it becomes easy to forget about those sacks of unwrapped gifts hiding in attic eaves or lying low in the trunk of the car. But being present procrastinators won't get the task done. Wrapping gifts may take some time, but that doesn't mean it can't be fun.

* Find your niche: Not everyone is a master gift-wrapper. But maybe there's a unique flair you place on your gifts that sets them apart from others ... a hallmark. It could be a certain type of paper, or an interesting gift tag. Discover your niche and embrace it. For example, professional gift wrapper Connie Rheas says that in her experience, "there are certain techniques that you must follow for a great gift but in the end, it's all about the bow." So maybe your niche can be creating fabulous bows to adorn the gifts you wrap.

* There's fun in numbers: What's just about everyone you know doing this time of year? Shopping for and wrapping presents and attending parties. Why not marry the activities for a spectacular evening? Host a gift-wrapping party. Everyone volunteers to bring a specific set of supplies and one person hosts the venue. Have snacks catered or simply order out for pizza. With the chatting and working going on simultaneously, you'll get through that mountain of gifts in no time.

* Skip the paper and go for the bag: Gift bags can be the time-crunched gift-wrapper's saving grace. These bags come in all sizes and require just about a minute's time of packing to make gifts look great. What's more, gift bags can be reused over and over. To further expand the recycling power of gift bags, choose solid-color or holiday-neutral bags so that their reuse won't be restricted to Christmas.

* Delegate: There is a quote by an unknown author that says, "Some parents could do more for their children by not doing so much for them." This may be a good time to put this line of thinking to the test by enlisting the help of your children in wrapping presents. Naturally they shouldn't be given their own to wrap, but they can help out with other family members' gifts. It can be an enjoyable job for them, and it will lighten your burden.

* Set up a wrapping station: Sometimes the anxiety over wrapping gifts stems from the level of disorganization with which some people start the task. Take a few minutes to clear a space for wrapping. A table or another solid surface that doesn't require you to hunch over will be most comfortable. Lay out your supplies, such as tags, pens, bows, ribbons, paper, scissors, gift receipts, etc. so that they are within easy reach. Gather together the gifts that are going to each specific person and wrap them in order. Later separate the wrapped presents according to whether they'll be placed under the tree or put in the car to travel to a friend or relative's house.

* When all else fails ... : For a small donation, many stores offer complimentary gift-wrapping. Take advantage of this service. Shopping on off-hours will ensure the lines at the wrapping area will not be too long.