A Shoe Organizer Is The Perfect Storage Hack For Cluttered Wrapping Paper

As the weather chills and bell-filled music infiltrates the supermarkets, our minds turn to time spent indoors. For many of us, that means we begin thinking about what gifts we're going to purchase for our loved ones — as well as the gift paper we will use to wrap up the items before putting them under the tree. Perhaps you have a large collection of gift wrap and are looking for some tips for storing your wrapping paper rolls for the holiday season. If so, you can use an unexpected item to get them in order: a hanging over-the-door shoe organizer. The tube-shaped pockets, made to fit long, thin footwear, just happen to be the perfect shape for also storing cylindrical wrapping paper rolls without them falling out and getting crumpled. Cut a slit in the bottom of the upper pockets and slide those rolls through. Then, hang the repurposed organizer on the back of a wardrobe door in your office or craft room to save space and keep everything tidy.

This hack is so useful because it will keep all your wrapping paper rolls from getting damaged. Since wrapping paper needs to curl easily around a wide range of gifts, it's thin and flexible. A brand new roll is pretty sturdy, especially one that's covered in protective plastic film. However, already unraveled or used rolls are prone to bending and tearing. The shoe holder keeps them neat and tidy. What's more, having a decent storage system means you have the space to shop the sales after the holiday season wraps up. Stock up and cut out the stress that last-minute festive season shopping induces.

If you plan to hang the organizer over the back of a door or inside a cupboard, it doesn't matter too much what it looks like. In this case, go for the most budget-friendly option you can find. Upcycle one you already have, ask family and friends for donations, or rummage through thrift stores. Dollar Tree sells Closet Essentials 8-Pocket Shoe Organizers for just $1.25. Transparent organizers are nice because you can easily see all your supplies, making it easy to re-stock. The Simple Houseware 24-pockets Hanging Organizer, about $12 on Amazon, stretches almost the entire length and width of a door. In fact, the idea has become so popular that you can even buy organizers with longer pockets that are custom-made for wrapping paper rolls. Amazon also carries a Honey-Can-Do Over-The-Door Wrap Organizer in red that holds up to 40 pounds of gift-decorating supplies for just under $17. The downside is, of course, that this option is far less customizable.

Just remember, too, that even the biggest pocket organizers typically don't exceed interior house door-size. If you're something of a minimalist when it comes to your gift wrap collection, you'll be okay. But if you have a literal wrapping roll hoard, it's probably time to explore other storage options. If you also need to store larger accessories like gift bags, don't be afraid to add an oversized pocket to the bottom of the organizer. You can buy one or, if you're handy with a sewing machine, DIY one, then stitch it to the organizer as you would a hem.

Before making any cuts, check how many wrapping paper rolls you need to store and their length. This is your chance to declutter; throw away, give away, or recycle any rolls you no longer like. Lay the organizer out on a table and lay the wrapping paper rolls on top. Make sure you don't cut a slit in the lowest pockets or your tubes will slide right through! You can customize the holder to your specific wrapping paper collection by cutting slits in a row of three pockets to hold long rolls and just two the next row over to accommodate shorter tubes.

Turn it into a gift wrapping station by leaving some of the pockets free of slits. Fill those with bows, tissue, stickers, tape, gift tags, scissors ... Anything you like to use to make your gifts pretty and your time spent wrapping practical. You can also use this shoe organizer as a way to sort and store eco-friendly wrapping paper options for a more sustainable holiday. Wrapping paper you've saved from gifts you've been given throughout the year, tissue paper, boxes and bags that come with products you've bought, or even rolled up wall calendar pages, your kid's artwork, fabric scraps, or newspaper pages can be used to wrap presents. If, next year, you find you need more short pockets for small supplies and less long pockets, simply tape up as many slits as you need to. Furthermore, if you need another gift wrap organizer solution, check out this TikTok hack that will change the way you store wrapping paper.