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Original poster

I can’t stop buying presents until I’ve used all the wrapping paper.

36 replies

nightmarestrange · 30/11/2025 15:01

I am driving myself mad.
I have to use all the wrapping paper and strategically made all the paper and presents fit.
Now husband has asked for another gift which means buying more wrapping paper and now I am compelled to buy more presents to use up the rest of the wrapping paper because I can’t have any left over.
Whats wrong with me why I can’t I get over this it’s constantly on my mind until the wrapping paper is all gone.
I have bought far too many presents but I can’t stop until I have matched the presents and paper just right.
I hate this but I also love the challenge. I wish I could put it out of my mind.
Anyone else do this, I’m highly expecting not.

OP posts:
Original poster
nightmarestrange · 30/11/2025 15:12

FunnyOrca · 30/11/2025 15:09

Who buys wrapping paper? Didn’t you just inherit a stash at some point that will never run out because it gets topped up each time you receive a gift?

Sadly not, it’s a very one way street when you have 3 young children.

OP posts:
FunnyOrca · 30/11/2025 15:10

nightmarestrange · 30/11/2025 15:09

I’ve just bought a whole new role for one present.
I know logically I can keep the paper until next year but I just don’t seem to be in touch with that logic and can’t stop thinking about what I can buy that will use up the rest.
I have bought too many presents already trying to get this right.
Yes it’s silly and it’s driving me to distraction.

I envy you! I only have to buy 4 presents this years and I still can’t think what to get people!

Oreoqueen87 · 30/11/2025 15:10

You sound quite fixated about the wrapping paper OP. My husband does similar and he has ICD (diagnosed).

You could look up some techniques for managing OCD(not saying you have it, just could be useful).

Or just throw it out/give it away. If you let it, it’ll continue to be a fixation.

FunnyOrca · 30/11/2025 15:09

Who buys wrapping paper? Didn’t you just inherit a stash at some point that will never run out because it gets topped up each time you receive a gift?

Original poster
nightmarestrange · 30/11/2025 15:09

I’ve just bought a whole new role for one present.
I know logically I can keep the paper until next year but I just don’t seem to be in touch with that logic and can’t stop thinking about what I can buy that will use up the rest.
I have bought too many presents already trying to get this right.
Yes it’s silly and it’s driving me to distraction.

OP posts:
GumFossil · 30/11/2025 15:07

Do you know have a wrapping paper drawer to keep unused rolls? Or is that just us?

TidyCyan · 30/11/2025 15:07

It sounds like you have a mental health issue to me if you're fixated on the wrapping paper while going about your everyday life.

Buy a gift bag for this one thing and be done with it.

APatternGrammar · 30/11/2025 15:05

You would save so much money by throwing the leftover paper away (which is of course very wasteful, but so is buying things you don’t need).

Talkingtomyhouseplants · 30/11/2025 15:03

Kindly OP, this is bonkers.

Are you feeling anxious about something else that is making you feel the need to seek this kind of control?

The healthiest thing to do would be to resist the urge to buy more presents - or simply buy a gift bag for the xtra gift for DH but anxiety doesn’t alway work like that. Can you use the left over wrapping paper for something else? Maybe make some gift tags?

Extragreen · 30/11/2025 15:03

Buy really nice expensive wrapping paper

that will soon stop this silliness

bridgetreilly · 30/11/2025 15:02

Wrapping paper does not go off. You can quite safely keep some for next year.