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Nov 12, 2024

The best gift-wrapping tools, tested by editors | CNN Underscored

Best wrapping paper cutter: Little Elf Gift Wrap Cutter Best tape tool: Wrap Buddies Wrapping Paper Clamps With Tape Dispenser Best organizational accessory: The Container Store 3-Tier Cart Ribbon

Best wrapping paper cutter: Little Elf Gift Wrap Cutter

Best tape tool: Wrap Buddies Wrapping Paper Clamps With Tape Dispenser

Best organizational accessory: The Container Store 3-Tier Cart Ribbon Holder

For most of my life, I’ve been a gift bag person. Coming up with gift ideas I can do but gift wrapping? Not so much. Folding perfect edges or cutting the right amount of paper has never come easy. It’s something Mary Domo, the CEO and owner of Los Angeles Gift Wrapping, tells me takes practice. “I feel like many people can improve if you put the time in and work at it,” she says.

Professional or not, gift wrapping is technical and time-consuming. While the pros rely on sharp scissors and double-sided tape, many tools exist to make this process easier. I tested several gift-wrap-specific tools to see if they could actually help me in my gift-wrapping journey (and if anything could replace good old-fashioned scissors). These are things you may see on “Shark Tank” or that pop up on Amazon when you type “gift wrapping help” in the search bar.

I also spoke to professional gift wrappers and wrapped different-sized boxes to test these tools for cutting wrapping paper, dispensing tape and organizing materials. Here are my recommendations for tools that truly make gift wrapping easier.

The Little Elf Gift Wrap Cutter lets you measure and slice through wrapping paper with ease. Pull your paper through the tool or cut while laying it flat to get a clean line either way you slice it.

Wrap Buddies Wrapping Paper Clamps consist of a pair of tape dispensers that, when used together, create a holder that attaches to your table to keep a wrapping paper roll in place. Tape is not included in this set, but it offers 2-in-1 convenience for your wrapping paper station.

The Container Store 3-Tier Cart Ribbon Holder is an adjustable storage bin designed specifically to attach to the basket of a three-tiered cart. You can, however, also hook it other places, such as a desk drawer. The ribbons are displayed in the holder, and there's an opening to thread each one through the bottom for easy access.

The Little Elf is a cylinder-shaped tool that slots around a roll of wrapping paper. This shape allows you to glide it across the roll while an indented blade catches and evenly slices the paper. Instead of attempting to cut a straight line with scissors, the Little Elf helps perfectly guide the cut for you.

Although the motion of gliding the Little Elf down a roll of paper to cut it is convenient, it didn’t come naturally to me. I experienced a bit of a learning curve (and struggle) and had to watch several YouTube videos before mastering it.

Despite getting the hang of it, I actually preferred to use the tool for its secondary use case — trimming — while leaving the Little Elf unattached to the roll of wrapping paper. Utilizing it this way allowed me to easily cut large pieces of paper or trim thin pieces. It achieved that scissors-gliding-through-paper feeling, albeit with more leverage and fewer sharp blades to worry about. It was that kind of versatility that truly sold me on this tool.

The brand is also somewhat internet-famous. Creator Bryan Perla was on Season 11 of “Shark Tank” and walked away with a successful deal. It was designed with gift-wrapping frustration in mind and is currently available on Little Elf’s website, Amazon and other retailers.

While the gift-wrapping experts I spoke to prefer using sharp scissors, Domo said she’s used the Little Elf before and sees how it can be helpful. “Especially if you’re cutting a lot of the same size box and doing it over and over again,” she says. “[Little Elf] can be helpful for repeat cuts.”

Though many tools I tested worked similarly, the Little Elf offered far more leverage via the open arch of its design. This prevents the paper from clustering over when cutting it flat. While some trims may require scissors, you can still maneuver precisely and efficiently with the Little Elf for smaller cuts.

When not in use, the Little Elf can be placed around a roll of wrapping paper. Though it may fall to the bottom the thinner the roll gets (especially if you store wrapping paper vertically), it’s convenient to store it like this.

Wrap Buddies Paper Clamps are a 2-in-1 solution to the common gift-wrapping problem of not having tape easily accessible or wrapping paper rolling into itself when measuring the perfect piece. The two tape dispensers clamp onto the table and each have a spoke to hold wrapping paper between them, sort of like a rolling pin. It’s simple to use and makes a big difference in your wrapping paper station.

I was excited to test this tool since one of my main frustrations is that wrapping paper often folds onto itself, making it difficult to get a good cut. Using tape dispensers to hold the paper was a game changer. I could drop the box I was wrapping on the paper or cut it with one hand.

Along with this primary functionality of the Wrap Buddies clamps, there are tape dispensers built into the clamp design. While testing, I found the tape dispensers sturdy, and they didn’t move when I applied pressure while the clamps were secure on the table. I particularly liked that it allowed me to approach my wrapping station from any angle without worrying about anything moving out of place or not being able to reach my tape.

My only complaint is that the tape dispensers don’t come with tape rolls. The product is $25 for two clamps, and I wrongly assumed there would be tape so be warned: You will have to BYOT (bring your own tape). I used Scotch Gift Wrapping Tape and it worked like a charm.

The Container Store 3-Tier Cart Ribbon Holder is a craft basket attachment with adjustable spacers that’s meant to organize ribbon. You place your rolls in the container and can pull out the strands of ribbon so they are accessible from the bottom. The two hooks on the back of the ribbon holders are sturdy, and while designed to attach to a tier in a tiered rolling cart, the container can also hook into something like an indent of a desk drawer. I found this great for storing ribbons in the compartments, along with tape and other gift-wrapping tools.

This tool makes a great addition for people with a craft basket. The plastic feels sturdy, and the adjustable dividers are a highlight. You can also customize how you organize your spools of ribbon. The organizer’s ability to thread ribbon through the opening at the bottom makes your materials easily visible and accessible without the risk of toppling over or unraveling. According to Domo, having all your wrapping materials visible is a way to help with your creative process. “If you have everything organized and displayed so that you can see it, sometimes it helps you be a little more creative in coming up with your designs,” she says. This container does exactly that.

Though this may seem unnecessary for people who don’t have a craft cart, I found it worked just as well when l hooked the container onto my office cabinet. This tool could be equally as effective mounted on the wall of a craft room or wrapping station. I’ve kept it at my desk and can see myself replacing the ribbon with pens or other small items I keep at the office. While it is meant for ribbon, the customization and open basket design makes it more versatile.

I tested most of the tools in the CNN LA office and carefully sliced single strips of wrapping paper with each cutter, aiming to minimize waste, and used empty cardboard boxes from around the office to wrap. While wrapping the boxes, I tested the cutters, tape/tape dispensers and product organizer accessories.

At the end of the testing process, the office recycling bins were full and I had a holistic picture of what using each tool was like. Here is a breakdown of the criteria I used to evaluate each cutter, tape dispenser and organizational tool I tested.

The gift-wrapping professionals I spoke to all said they prefer using standard scissors. So, if you want to opt out of some of the gift-wrapping tools above, it’s important to have the right scissors. More importantly, you need two kinds: a sharp pair of paper scissors and fabric scissors for ribbon.

“You need your paper scissors and you need fabric scissors for the ribbon,” says Annabelle Borke, owner and manager of Tinsel Town Gift Wrapping. “If you don’t have fabric scissors, and I know everyone has been there before, it’s gonna look like you tried to tear the ribbon with your teeth.”

“If you’re trying to make [gift wrapping] look very professional, you need double stick tape as well as regular tape,” Borke says. She and Domo both stress this as the secret to seeing seamless edges and clean lines on a gift. This helps your wrapping look neat and can make seams easier to rip when opening the gift. Domo has one tape dispenser for double-sided tape and another for regular tape.

Another way to elevate your gift wrapping is to have clean edges when you wrap. Both Borke and Domo say to fold the cut edge of the paper before taping it down to create a clean and even line. Placing the folded edge of the wrapping paper on double-stick tape will make clean lines and a tape-free surface. That’s the ultimate professional move.

“When someone’s looking for an elegant gift, satin pops into mind,” Borke says. “I love double-face satin ribbon.” Domo also recommends double-face satin ribbon, saying, “It’s pretty on both sides.”

Having an elegant ribbon is one thing, but tying a ribbon can be difficult. Domo believes it’s an “acquired skill” that takes practice to nail. If you’re interested in tying the perfect bow, consider watching a YouTube video and practicing until you get the hang of it.

One part of the gift-wrapping process that’s not often considered is the time it can take. “Make sure you set some time to do it so you can enjoy it, put some extra love into it and get the pretty results you want,” Domo says. “And don’t rush through.”

While this process can be taxing, especially if you have a lot of gifts to wrap, setting aside time to get it done — little by little if need be — can help alleviate some of the stress and let you have fun with the process.

“The more you enjoy it, the more the recipient will enjoy it,” Domo says.

“You can always salvage a bad wrap with a nice ornamental piece,” Borke says. She likes to tie bobble ornaments on her gifts but also shared the idea of tying sprigs of eucalyptus, rosemary, dried oranges or candy canes as a decorative detail. “You could even make it part of the gift. A nice little lip gloss, a spatula,” she says. “When you do use an ornamental piece, nobody’s looking at the edges.”

Cutting too much or too little paper can throw off the gift-wrapping process. “I think where people get into trouble right away is cutting the right size paper,” Borke says. “Even the pros do it. I’ve been there.”

According to Borke’s Tinsel Town Gift Wrapping method, the length of the paper should cover the entire box and overlap slightly (by about one to two inches). To properly measure the width, the wrapping paper should reach three-quarters up the side of the box.

Borke says this guidance can help anyone cut the right amount of paper. However, if you do encounter too much paper, or find a bald spot on your gift, you can get creative with your solution. For example, Borke likes to fold pieces of wrapping paper into one another for an enhanced design element — this method can also work to salvage a wrap with too little paper.

The SlopeHaul Quicker and Easier Gift Wrap Cutter comes in a pack of two on Amazon. The ridged, tall handle and wheels on the bottom let you glide the tool across any surface and through your wrapping paper. The tool works on both carpet and traditional tabletops.

This tool from Amazon was a surprise hit during testing. The SlopeHaul Quicker and Easier Gift Wrap Cutter is a tall, flat tool that glided smoothly and even catches paper as it cuts with its blade tucked away in a slit. Though it looked slightly awkward when I took it out of the box, the small book-like shape made it easy to grip and the wheels are great for sliding across the table. It worked well on the carpet, too.

I primarily used this to cut wrapping paper horizontally and vertically, and appreciated its larger size, which helped prevent paper from curling up during use. The sides of the cutter are ridged, and the width of the tool is quite thin. It is easy to pick up and use, similar to gripping the handle of an iron and gliding it across the surface of your clothes. This was the most unique-looking tool in our testing pool and was a close runner-up to our top-performing cutter.

The Wrap Buddies Gift Wrap Cutter is easy to use and effective at creating a clean slice of wrapping paper. Its compact design is also great for trimming paper and provides easy leverage for a precise cut. It comes with five extra blades, though they’re not the easiest to access.

The Wrap Buddies Gift Wrap Cutter is a sleek and smooth gift-wrapping tool that cuts through paper with ease. It’s also incredibly lightweight but still felt very sturdy. There is a slit at the top of the cutter with an extended bottom piece meant to catch the wrapping paper between the bottom plastic and the concealed blade.

One major drawback, however, is its inclusion of five extra blades concealed in the tool itself. On paper, this is a great feature and would help if any blades become dull. However, I could not open the storage compartment. It was difficult for me to press down on the tool where the compartment is, and I’ve still yet to open it. I’d feel better about this tool if the blades were easier to access.

It's impressive how well this Westcott Titanium Cutter slices clean lines of wrapping paper, as well as how easy the titanium-bonded blade was to maneuver. This cutter is a great option if you’re in the market for something simple and effective.

The Westcott Titanium Cutter is a sharp and easy-to-use tool that slices through wrapping paper with ease. When I first used it, I was impressed with the precise cuts I could achieve. The titanium-bonded razor also sliced through different kinds of wrapping paper with minimal or no snagging.

While this tool scored highly in usability and functionality, it lost points because it doesn’t come with extra blades. I still appreciated how simple and efficient it was, and if you’re looking for a tool with this specific leverage point to slice through wrapping paper, this gets the job done.

This set includes a pair of Fiskars scissors and a Titanium Blade Cutter tool. My testing focused on the gift wrap cutter, and I liked how it easily sliced through wrapping paper. The additional ribbon curling feature did not work as well as expected, however.

This Fiskars Titanium Blade Cutter set comes with a pair of scissors plus a blade cutter tool, though I did not specifically test the scissors. I did, however, put the cutter tool through all the wrapping paper I had. The rounded, infinity-symbol-like design is a unique take on a wrapping paper cutter and is meant to be gripped and gilded across the paper to achieve a precise cut.

Overall, I was impressed with its cutting capabilities. Iit’s designed to cut through paper nose down and also has a concealed blade on the front that acts as a plastic ribbon curling surface. However, this ribbon curler was hard to use and my fingers would often get hot and uncomfortable when I tried (plus, the final results were either a slight curl or somewhat straight). I ended up using the scissors to curl the ribbon and achieved a nice ringlet curl. The scissors worked like a charm, though.

The Slice Rotary Scissors are a blade-free tool with a handle to help you glide it through the wrapping paper. Though the design is intended for wrapping paper specifically, it isn't the most intuitive or easy to use.

Slice stresses that these Rotary Scissors are “bladeless,” which maximizes safety. Two wheels at the base of the cutter move in opposite directions and are meant to act like a blade, while really, the movement of these wheels is what cuts the material.

I wanted to like this tool and was intrigued by the design, but it was initially difficult for me to use this cutter without it snagging. Since the blade is slightly elevated, starting the cut was where I struggled most. If I could catch the wrapping paper and push it through without snagging, I could make a clean cut.

This cutter works best when wrapping paper is placed on a flat surface and kept taut. While it is capable of a clean cut, I would describe it as temperamental. That said, the safety component of this product makes the Slice Rotary Scissors stand out in our testing pool.

The Slice Safety Cutter fits in the palm of your hand and has an exposed microblade that’s safe to touch yet still slides through paper and plastic. It is not necessarily a gift-wrap-specific cutter, and unfortunately, it was not the best at slicing through wrapping paper without extreme pressure.

This adorable cutter is made of nonslip materials and has a safe-to-touch microblade. Though it’s typically used to open envelopes and cut plastic, I decided to put it to the test against wrapping paper. Sadly, it was not a great match for this kind of paper cutting. Though the cutter did work, I had to press down very hard to create anything more than an indented line in the paper. However, I was hesitant to press down too hard since the exposed blade was capable of creating marks on the table beneath the wrapping paper.

The Scotch Clip and Twist tape dispenser attaches to a tabletop and can easily dispense tape at will. It can also twist 360 degrees, all while the clamp keeps it supported and secure on your tabletop.

This Scotch Clip and Twist tape dispenser is simple and to the point. It clamps onto a table edge and includes a roll of tape ready to use. While the clamp keeps the dispenser in place, the tool is also designed to twist 360 degrees, allowing you to access the tape roll from different angles. I loved that I was able to twist the top of the dispenser while the clamp held it in place.

Though I appreciated its twisting capabilities, it felt less secure than our winning pick. Additionally, though moving the tape head of the dispenser is convenient, grabbing and ripping the tape was not as sturdy from certain angles because the tape dispenser tilts down and could be pressed down even farther depending on how much pressure was applied. There was also a roll of standard tape provided with the dispenser, meaning it was less clear and more matte than other gift wrap-specific tape we tested. While this tape kept things in place, it was more noticeable on the wrapping paper itself.

Scotch Gift Wrap tape provides a crystal-clear finish. Compared to other Scotch Tape, the Gift Wrap specific iteration is glossy and smooth. The plastic dispenser also cuts the tape with ease.

Our testing wasn’t limited to fancy tape contraptions. We also used a classic tape dispenser filled with Scotch Gift Wrap Tape. The tape itself has a smooth and ultra-clear finish. The plastic tape dispenser works as expected too. It’s lighter in weight and without advanced functionality than others in our testing pool; however, it’s the type of tape dispenser I’ve been using since elementary school and does the trick.

The finish of this tape is impressive. You can easily tell the difference between gift-wrap tape and non-gift-wrap tape, so consider using this Scotch Gift Wrap Tape if you want that clear finish on your gift.

This set of three Hapeisy Washi Tape Cutters clips on to a roll of tape and cuts with a ridged edge. While this tool is meant for washi tape, I attempted to use it on gift-wrapping and double-sided tape, though the process was met with some difficulty.

The Hapeisy Washi Tape Cutter I tested for this piece is a unique tool meant to cut washi tape, which is often used for decorative purposes, made of rice paper and quite thin. Though I did not test washi tape specifically, I was intrigued by the design of these tools and wanted to see if they would be useful with gift-wrapping tape.

This Hapeisy tape cutter clamps on to a tape roll, and the ridged-edged side is meant to cut tape when you pull it up and across its teeth. Unfortunately, this tool did not work well for the gift-wrapping tape used in this guide. The first sign of trouble was when I placed the cutter on a thick roll of tape and it popped off rather quickly. If I pressed down on the cutter to create a makeshift clamp, it would stay put, but it was overall difficult to use.

The Elfa Gift Wrap Organizer creates three open squares to place rolls of wrapping paper into a corresponding basket. It includes plastic mounting clips that were difficult to use. Additionally, when attempting to expand the use case of this accessory, it seemed to only be fully functional with a craft cart and corresponding materials.

The Elfa Gift Wrap Organizer is a craft basket attachment meant to allow you to store rolls of wrapping paper vertically. The open wire design creates three squares where you can prop up and store rolls of wrapping paper, keeping them upright and organized. It is meant to accompany an Elfa Accessory Basket that is sold separately.

The Gift Wrap Organizer has three plastic mounting hooks to attach it to a craft basket or cabinet, but the fact that this tool does not include the basket is an initial detractor. I placed the organizer on the cabinet under my desk, and without the basket, the organizer was useless since the wrapping paper was held upright but was not contained in any kind of portable way. Additionally, the plastic hooks included were somewhat difficult to use.

The Elfa Platinum Ribbon Dispenser provides a place to hang spools of ribbon. Unfortunately, the plastic hangers included with this craft cart accessory broke while assembling it, and the tool was difficult to use.

I really liked the concept of the Elfa Platinum Ribbon Dispenser. This steel wire with a round stopper on the end is meant to hold spools of ribbon side by side. It can be attached to a crafting basket or other organizer using the provided plastic mounting hooks and keeps the ribbon out in the open for display and use.

Unfortunately, the plastic hooks broke while I was setting the dispenser up. It was also hard to get the spools of ribbon onto the wire, and the hooked design made it difficult to maneuver the spools around the corners. I attempted to detach the bulb stopper at the end of the handing surface for an easier time adding my spools of ribbon to the attachment, but it would not budge.

While I appreciate the concept of this attachment, the plastic clips were flimsy and it was too difficult to place the ribbon on the dispenser.

For this article, we consulted the following experts for tips and recommendations to make gift wrapping an easier and more enjoyable process:

The CNN Underscored testing team takes a thorough, comprehensive approach to product testing for all buying guides. The results are unbiased, honest reviews that are authoritative yet approachable and, ultimately, trustworthy. Our team is comprised of subject matter experts who take pride in the testing process.

The writer of this guide, Gareen Puglia, has been wrapping presents for years, though she is a self-proclaimed novice in advanced techniques. Puglia specifically tested tools meant to make gift wrapping easier for people like her who sometimes struggle to get it right. She also sought the knowledge of gift-wrapping experts for professional tips and perspectives on how to elevate an average gift wrapping and inspired Puglia to rebuke her gift bag ways of the past.