Christmas wrapping and b****y selotape!!!

I've done all my wrapping, nearly 40 presents in about an hour! I just happened to flick on to QVC when they were selling bags - www.giftmatebag.com/ Wow, so quick and easy, just put the present in the bag, write the tag and tie a bow in the top. No sellotape to worry about. The best thing is, we can save and use them for next year

Magic tape every time!! Low resolution so if it goes wrong you can peel it off & the paper doesn't tear.

I HATE present wrapping but then I still haven't bought them all yet so it's not yet time to worry! I usually sit on floor in sitting room surrounded by them all & put a good film on TV while I do it- then they can just go straight under the tree. It costs a fortune in paper & it all just gets slung out on the day- such waste but what is the alternative?

But not wrapped in Germany, Alea, or so I'm told ?

Shysal - Not that one!! They are great but sometimes it's hard to find the little refills in the shops. And, of course, it is creative GD's tape of choice!! For anything and everything!!

Loopy and I are being frustrated by Sellotape's 'New Innovation - On Hand Dispenser'.

I don't know what kind of tape you are all using but mine works fine if I cut 2inch lengths and stick it to the edge of the table. Mine rarely splits. and I don't use expensive brand names.

Oh how I agree with you about "store" wrapping synonymous!!
They do it in Germany too, so often you will be asked "Is it for a gift?" regardless of the season, and it will be whisked away and beautifully gift wrapped.
In the same way at a florists you buy 5 or 7 (always an odd number) individual flower stems and they disappear through to the "back" emerging as a bouquet with greenery, gypsophilia et al.
We may be a nation of shopkeepers but we have much to learn from other countries.

Don't be put off by the few negative comments about the on-hand Scotch dispenser. I have had mine for years and never had a problem with using it or replacing refills. They are available in most supermarkets.

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Scotch-Pop-Up-Tape-Refillable-Hand-dispenser-with-1-pad-/301810295473?hash=item46454ba2b1:g:rl8AAOSwsFpWTL0e

Hate the job. Would rather write 100 cards than wrap presents. My Dad used to turn the sellotape back, which drove me nuts. DH cuts little bits and sticks them to anything close by, peeling them off to use as needed. Consequently still finding sellotape on chairs and tables in March! I favour ninathenana's method. I pull a length of tape and hang it on the end of the table until needed. Works well while you remember .

Magic tape was actually made to repair paper /books with (fun fact of the day ) as it doesn't turn yellow or crack when exposed to air... When I was at work (Librarian) we used it for all repairs - never Cellotape..!
I've bought myself a small but heavy dispenser from Staples, who also do multipacks of rolls of slightly thicker tape - and this has been really, really useful without taking up too much space.

Luckygirl I agree that choosing and buying is much nicer than wrapping. When I lived in New York the shops all had a free gift wrapping service as standard and you could choose and just pay for the fancy bits you wanted to be put on the parcels. They were beautifully done too and it was such a lovely feeling to have it all done and dusted in a oner.
DH is totally convinced that he is the best wrapper in the world - encouragement works wonders! I do the pretty bits as I enjoy that part and we are both happy.

Do you know - I hate present wrapping! I love buying presents and seeing the enjoyment when they are opened, but I would be quite happy to not have to wrap the darn things.

I second magic tape - it's a tiny roll (no great huge cardboard bracelet in the middle) so takes up less room

When you first open your roll of Sellotape, it has a small white strip with green arrows to show you which way to open it. If you keep the strip with the arrows on and stick it to the end of your Sellotape when you have finished, it is easier to find the end next time.

Has anybody else mentioned those little almost invisible circles of sticky backed adhesive available from our favourite Cumbrian supplier? (I hope they weren't flooded out last week) These are very easy to use.
#addictedtolakeland

lol

This thread reminds me about a time I was in a crowded train carriage with a very elderly-looking Australian friend and she rooted in her bag for a while before asking loudly if anyone had any Durex. Lots of from all the commuters including me who didn't know that was Oz for sticky tape. It was about 25 years ago - now nobody would turn a hair I think.

I get a biscuit tin and cut and stick short lengths all round it then use them to wrap several presents in one go. I always wrap the end of the tape under so I can find it next time. I prefer the slight waste to the frustration of losing the end of the tape.

Sticky tape is not as controllable as it used to be probably because it is much thinner. It drives me mad so I keep away from it if I can.
DH thinks he is far better at wrapping presents than me. I encourage this belief and admire his handiwork.

When my grandson was two I gave him a roll of sellotape to entertain himself with whilst I wrapped presents; it was great fun and kept him (and me) amused the whole time I was busy - it was a bit like watching a kitten with a ball of wool.

I'm with Ana....Magic Tape is far easier. Little bit more expensive but worth it to save wear and tear on the nerves-and the nails!

You make me feel a little better, Loopy, thanks! I'll go back to the standard roll and scissors. I usually put a paper clip on the end of the roll, or failing that turn the end over.

My problem is stopping the wrapping paper undoing itself whilst I fumble with getting the selotape from roll to parcel!

My problem is stopping the wrapping paper undoing itself whilst I fumble with getting the selotape from roll to parcel!

Me too Elrel! And having managed to open it I've cocked up putting in the refill

I stick a penny on the end of the Sellotape, so can find it without scratching round the whole thing.