I will never forget the very first birthday gift that my man (now my long-suffering husband) bought me. It was a box of chocolates (Yay!) handed over in a Checkers packet (Boo!). Don’t get me wrong, I loved the thought that had gone into buying my favourite brand, but the lack of gift wrap somehow made it seem less thoughtful!
It was then I realised how much I adore a beautifully wrapped gift and became determined to pay extra attention to each present I give away in the future. That being said, it can be an expensive business when you factor in the wrapping paper, ribbons, cards, bows and added extras. But not if you know where to shop! Yes, now that I’ve done all the hard work for you, I'm sharing my budget-friendly places where you can stock up on beautiful wrapping supplies for less!
TIP: When buying in bulk, choose items that you can mix and match, so that all gifts look a little different!
Where To Save
Paper Packaging Place
This is probably the best known bulk supplier in Joburg with beautiful showrooms in Olivedale. Personally, I prefer to shop online and have found that one 100m “counter roll” lasts for years! The kids' collection is too beautiful for words – I bought a reversible roll that has tiny feet on the one side and stripes on the other – so effectively it's a two-in-one roll of gift wrap. I also have the Black & White Thin Stripe which pairs beautifully with various Petersham-style ribbons. Also in stock: boxes, tissue paper, packets, carrier bags and more.
Super Floral
My friend Allison introduced me to this amazing gem in 2012, and it remains one of my best-kept secrets. While it doesn’t have as wide a range as the Paper Packaging Place, you will get lost for hours in aisle upon aisle of ribbons, teddies, gift wrap, Easter decorations, Christmas decorations, wedding decorations, containers, candles, baskets and crafts. Trust me, it is worth a visit to Super Floral at Rewlatch in the South of Joburg – just be sure you have more than an hour to spend browsing!
Wrap It
I recently stumbled upon this store. Quite literally. I tripped coming out of Dunkeld Fruit & Flowers, fell straight into the store, and accidentally swiped my credit card. That’s my story and I'm sticking to it!) Apparently, this is just a pop-up shop for an upstairs warehouse – something I had no idea existed. It is an absolute WIN – with beautiful varieties of gift wrap and ribbon all displayed by colour (my OCD loved that) so you can mix and match to your heart’s content. The quality of the gift wrap is VERY good, and you can choose between 10, 20, 50 and 100m rolls. (FYI – they will also custom-brand ribbon on request).
MerryPak
This is always a fabulous option if you’re keen to order online. MerryPak has a good selection of gift wrap for around R90 per 10m roll or roughly R360 for a 100m counter roll. Their ribbon selection is quite extensive with the added bonus of being able to buy per metre. That being said, I do find this a more pricey option.
Where To Splurge
Hello Pretty
If you’re looking for something completely unique and slightly funky, then A Love Supreme might be just the thing for you! Each gift wrapping kit contains five different paper sheets and a pack of five corresponding gift cards. There are 15 designs from which to choose, and the staff can make up your order on request according to the particular designs you have chosen.
Liberty Bespoke
This breathtaking online store will have you sighing with pleasure — definitely one for those not afraid to spend a little more on gift wrap! The gift tags are under R100 for eight, the gift wrap is about the same price for a pack of four sheets. There's a wide range of collections from which to choose, and they are absolutely gorgeous!
By Shelli NT
Are there any gift wrapping stores I’ve missed? Comment below and tell me about them!