How to Organize Ribbon for Wrapping Gifts

Unorganized Ribbon. Photo courtesy of africankelli

Ribbon can be a beautiful addition to any package– but it can also make a huge mess. Is your ribbon sitting in a pile of unraveled spools? Keep your beautiful ribbon from becoming a tangled knot with these ideas for organizing your ribbon.

Wire Hanger

Store your ribbon neatly in a closet so you can grab the perfect color and the perfect amount any time you need it. Simply take a wire hanger, and untwist the top using a pair of needle-nose pliars. Thread your spools of ribbon through the wire so that they are resting in a line on the bottom of the hanger. Then, twist the wire back together. Now your ribbon is ready to go!

Shoe Box

A shoe box is a great way to keep ribbon easily accessible and completely organized. Line your ribbon spools up snugly in the bottom of a shoe box. Make sure they are all facing the same way. Now mark the side of the box with a pen so you know where to make holes for the ribbon to come out. Make one mark for each spool of ribbon. Cut small holes in the places you marked and thread your ribbon through. Put the lid of the box back on and lightly secure with tape or a rubber band. Any time you need ribbon just pull the right amount through the hole.

Storage Box

If you’re looking for a non-DIY way to organize ribbon, pick up a ribbon storage box like this one from Martha Stewart Crafts. It’s $16.99 and will hold several rolls of different sizes. This plastic storage box from CraftMates includes 17 removable dividers and costs $9.99.