Every December, I hear the same thing from friends, neighbors, and the woman ahead of me at Sadie’s Bakery who bought out all the gingerbread muffins, “Pepper, how do you stay so organized? You’re a prepper — you must start wrapping presents in August.” Let me clear something up. No sane person wraps presents in August. That’s still tomato-canning season. But I am prepared, because preparedness isn’t about hoarding bows and buying every roll of Santa-printed wrapping paper in sight (though I admit, I’ve come close). It’s about thinking ahead, working smarter, and knowing that nothing — NOTHING — causes a holiday meltdown faster than running out of tape on Christmas Eve.
So here’s how this prepper handles gift-wrapping, gifting, and all the December chaos with a smile, a plan, and usually Mo sitting directly on the supplies I need.
1 — The Best Prep Tip: Shop After Christmas
My mother taught me this one years ago, and it is still one of my favorite prepping hacks…. shop for Christmas supplies AFTER Christmas.
I’m talking:
Wrapping paper
Gift bags
Bows
Tape
Cards
Decorative tins
Ornaments
Tissue paper
The discounts run 50% to 75% off, and sometimes higher if you go a few days after the holiday when the stores are desperate to clear space for Valentine’s Day chocolate. Every year, I restock my holiday totes at a fraction of the cost, tuck it in one of my labeled shelves (prepping rule #4: label everything), and pull it out the next December feeling like a genius. Ian claims it feels like living with a professional elf. I take that as a compliment.
2 – Alternative Wrapping: Cheap, Beautiful, and Totally Prepper-Approved
Now here’s where the prepper magic really shines.
Cloth Wraps… old scraps of fabric, fat quarters from quilting stores, or even cut pieces from worn-out sheets can be turned into beautiful, reusable wraps. Tie them with twine, ribbon, or heck — a shoelace. Sustainability meets creativity. Bonus… Mo cannot shred cloth the way he shreds paper. That alone is worth the switch.
Brown Paper Bags… cut them open, flatten them out, and wrap away. Then decorate them with…
Hand-drawn snowflakes
Decorative stamps
Ribbons
Herb or Pine Sprigs… I LOVE this one. Tie a small sprig of; pine, rosemary, sage, or thyme on top of the gift. It smells wonderful, looks festive, and costs next to nothing. Plus, the garden-center worker in me cannot resist gifting greenery. It looks rustic, charming, and like you put in way more effort than you actually did.
3 – Homemade Gifts: The Prepper’s Bread and Butter
Here’s a secret: people LOVE homemade gifts. Not because they’re fancy or expensive, but because they feel personal. And prepping is all about using what you have to make life easier and more meaningful. Some of my favorites:
- Cocoa Jars
Layer cocoa mix, sugar, mini marshmallows, and chocolate chips in a mason jar. Tie with a ribbon. Instant happiness.
- Spice Blends
I make a mean “Pepper’s Winter Stew Blend.” Recipes available upon request.
- Cookie Mix Jars
Like cocoa jars but with cookie ingredients. Very popular with busy families.
- Infused Oils or Vinegars
Rosemary oil? Garlic vinegar? Fancy but cheap.
- A Personal Gift Card
This is where prepper gifting becomes downright brilliant. Instead of buying more stuff, offer your time, skill, or service.
4 – Pepper’s Preparedness Gift Cards — My Favorite Part
I LOVE giving (and receiving!) homemade service cards. They mean so much more than another sweater. Here are some of the best.
- Babysitting Hours
Perfect for tired parents who haven’t had a quiet moment since 2019.
- Prepared Meals
Twelve months of one meal per month — soups, casseroles, stews, whatever your specialty is. Food is love. Food someone else cooks for you is magic.
- Transportation Service
Offer rides to appointments, shopping trips, or errands. Especially wonderful for elderly neighbors.
- Your Professional Skill
Hair stylist? Offer one free haircut.
Love to sew? Offer hemming or mending services.
Carpenter? Small repair project.
Mechanic? A free oil change.
Gardener? Spring planting help.
Baker? One pie. (Trust me, pies are always well received.)
Prepper? A custom prepping plan tailored to the recipient’s needs. Yes, I give these. And yes, people actually appreciate them.
This kind of gift means more than anything you could buy because it says, I see what you need. I care enough to help.
5 – And Finally… The Tape Problem
You didn’t think I was going to skip the tape issue, did you? As a prepper, I buy tape in bulk. Lots of it. Enough that Ian once asked if I planned to tape the town together after a storm. But here’s the truth… I’ve never run out of tape on Christmas Eve. Not once. That’s prepper victory right there. So, my wrapping and gifting motto this season:
Be prepared. Be creative. Be thoughtful. And always hide an extra roll of tape from your family.
Stay prepped & prepared & joyful this holiday season!
Pepper
I typically don’t run out of supplies b/c I buy on sale after Christmas.
Making you a wise prepper, Cathy!
That was just the advice I needed today !!! 🤶🎅🎄
Love the pet picture.
So glad it was helpful! And so glad you love the photo of Mo & Roxie!