Every January I used to shove the wrapping paper into a closet and every December I would pull out six crushed rolls, three of which were the same red plaid.

The problem is not the paper. It is that loose rolls stored vertically in a dark closet will always fall over and always get crushed.

Store them horizontal

A long under bed storage bin solves this completely. Rolls lie flat, nothing crushes, and you can see every pattern at a glance when you open the lid.

If you do not have an under bed bin, a clean trash can works. Rolls stand upright and the sides protect them.

Group by occasion, not by pattern

I used to sort by color. It never helped, because in December I need birthday paper for my nephew and Christmas paper for everyone else.

Label three bins: Christmas, birthday, all purpose. The all purpose bin holds solid colors, kraft paper, and the neutral ribbon that works for anything.

The tape and ribbon problem

Tape disappears every year. Buy one roll of good tape per bin and store it inside the bin, not in the junk drawer. Same for scissors.

Ribbon goes on a cardboard tube or a clothespin ring. Tangled ribbon is worse than no ribbon, and I have thrown out more of it than I care to admit.

The two gift bag rule

Keep four gift bags, not forty. Two large, two medium, in neutral colors. Gift bags multiply if you let them. They get reused, gifted back, and stored forever.

Recycle the odd ones after the holiday. You will never miss the one with the snowman that plays music.

After the holiday

Do not wait until January. Put the paper away the same week you finish wrapping, while you still remember what you have.

Fifteen minutes in December saves you an hour and a trip to the store next year.