Testing Four Gift Wrapping Gadgets!

This week I’m venturing into the realm of gift-wrapping gadgets, including a quartet of quirky tools designed to simplify the gift-wrapping process as we head into the holiday season.

Where to Purchase

Below are links to the Amazon listings where I purchased each of these products.

• Little Elf
• Wrap Buddies
• Wrapping Paper Cutter
• Wrapping Paper Wraps

Gift Wrap Gadget Review

Little Elf Gift Wrap Cutter

The most anticipated item in my lineup was the Little Elf Gift Wrap Cutter, boasting its fame from Shark Tank and promising an effortless slicing of wrapping paper. I actually purchased mine a couple of years ago. A two-pack runs for about $18 on Amazon. It’s designed to cut cleanly and fit rolls up to 2.25 inches in diameter.

• Pros: Ideal for achieving straight cuts. Time-saving as compared to traditional scissors.
• Cons: Struggles with cheaper paper and larger rolls. Size limitations, as it doesn’t fit all rolls.

To use the Little Elf, you simply slide it over your roll, dispense the amount of paper you desire, then hook the blade over the paper and run it from end to end. My test across seven rolls of varying sizes and quality showed that it is not universal, fitting medium and smaller sized rolls but not those that were larger. I also found that it worked quite well on the thicker, more expensive paper while it had a tendency to snag or wrinkle the cheaper rolls.

Wrap Buddies

Next, I examined the Wrap Buddies, which double as a table clamp to hold wrapping paper, with a built-in tape dispenser, priced at $24.99 for a set of two. They claim to secure your wrapping paper and make tape readily accessible, fitting most tables and working with any size of gift wrap. In my tests, it worked on both square and round tables.

• Pros: Simple to use and surprisingly effective. Accommodates a wide range of roll sizes.
• Cons: The price point might be a deterrent for some.

To use Wrap Buddies, you simply clamp one end on your table, line up your roll of paper, and the clamp the other side. You can then dispense paper while also having your tape on hand. I found Wrap Buddies to hold up well across different roll sizes—even the hefty ones. Its ability to adapt to the paper’s width without impacting performance was commendable. To me, this was the standout gadget among this batch.

Wrapping Paper Cutter

This third gadget is a wrapping paper cutter that somewhat resembles a pen, and with a cost of about $12 for a three-pack plus refills, it’s pitched as a versatile cutter for paper, vinyl, and more.

• Pros: Promotes faster and more precise cuts than scissors.
• Cons: Struggles with cheap gift wrap. Replacement of blades can be challenging.

To use this product, you simply place the paper in the slot and push it along the paper. I found that it worked more often than not, but paper quality appeared to make a difference in its effectiveness, along with user technique. In practice, this tool required a brisk movement to avoid tearing, especially with lower-quality paper. It was efficient with mid-range and higher-end papers, though I’m torn on whether it’s a clear winner over scissors.

Wrapping Paper Wraps

Lastly, the Wrapping Paper Wraps seem to be slap bracelets repurposed to bind gift wrap rolls. They’re quite straightforward in their function—meant to keep your wrapping paper from unrolling.

• Pros & Cons: Simple, yet effective design. A no-frills approach to managing wrapping paper.

These worked perfectly on all of my rolls, although the thin dollar store roll was a bit loose. Overall, I didn’t find a lot of complexity with these; they do what they’re supposed to without much fuss.

Conclusion

The Little Elf Cutter excels with the right paper but doesn’t have universal roll compatibility. Wrap Buddies deliver on their promise, offering convenience with any roll size. The Wrapping Paper Cutter functions well if you’re prepared to move quickly and might take some practice to master. Finally, the Wrapping Paper Wraps are a basic solution to a common annoyance.

Would I recommend swapping out your trusty scissors for these gadgets? It’s a mixed bag. For the enthusiast always in search of tools to enhance their gift-wrapping game, there’s fun to be had and some efficiency to gain. But if you’re comfortable with the old-fashioned cut-and-tape method, you might find these gadgets superfluous.

If you’ve used any of these gadgets, tell me what you think in the comments below!