Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

B'stard W.H. Smiths wrapping paper!

45 replies

Deathraystare · 15/12/2023 07:43

Just tried to wrap some presents for colleagues.

There are three long stickers on the wrap. You have to peel them off. Yeah, like it was ever going to come off in one lump! In the end I had to waste some paper by cutting under the bloody stickers to be able to get to the paper. You pay enough for it and then have to waste some!

OP posts:
tdino · 15/12/2023 07:44

Sainsbury's are doing this as well.

Whinge · 15/12/2023 07:45

Most wrapping paper is like this now.

Uncooperativefingers · 15/12/2023 07:46

Loads are places are doing this and imo it's much better than plastic wrap. You get extra paper length to compensate for the stickers, but tbh, I've never had an issue peeling the stickers of gently to use

prettycosmos · 15/12/2023 07:46

YES! I bought many rolls of this in Jan in the sale. Came to use it the other week and was really really annoyed by the end of it! It does say they have allowed extra paper to allow for having to cut the end off, but I found it sooooo frustraitngly fiddly and annoying!! I have made a note not to buy from there for next year!

FiveCows · 15/12/2023 07:47

Yeah, Why not use a brown paper ring slipped around it rather than the stickers, which waste heaps of paper?

This year M and S seem to have it sorted, with a much more no stick sticker that doesn’t rip the paper. I don’t buy wrapping paper from Sainsbury’s any more, too enraging!

Leafysuburb · 15/12/2023 07:47

It's all like this now. I'm sure it's one of the signs of the apocalypse.

Alasitsme · 15/12/2023 07:48

I nearly threw several rolls out because of this!! The stickers DO NOT PEEL OFF! How is it so hard to use easy-peel stickers?! Or maybe just a paper cuff with no stick?

Falalalalaa · 15/12/2023 07:50

These gave me the rage last year, I have learned how to peel them off now thankfully although I know not all peel easily.

You won’t have wasted any paper though, they give you extra to account for the sticker carnage.

Whinge · 15/12/2023 07:52

I have made a note not to buy from there for next year!

It's not just WH Smiths. I haven't seen it sold in the plastic wrap for a while now.

Deathraystare · 15/12/2023 08:00

Thank you all! Although I was so enraged I just had to post I was expecting lots of "What do you mean? It is perfectly do able" type posts and I only got one!!!!

I admit I am a klutz and was also trying to be quick because apparently I don't go into work just to wrap presents! But to be honest if I had all day to do I would still muck it up!

OP posts:
Deathraystare · 15/12/2023 08:01

I am just glad I only had a few presents to wrap! If I had a huge family I would just get some brown paper!

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 15/12/2023 08:02

Everywhere is doing it now. I've never had easy peel ones; they have all been a pure bastard to remove

MumblesParty · 15/12/2023 08:04

I was just thinking the same the other day! It’s so annoying. You end up having to basically sacrifice several inches of wrapping paper that has inevitably ripped when trying to remove the stickers. How is that environmentally friendly?!

Ihateboris · 15/12/2023 08:08

Omfg...yes, I've just discovered this. What a waste!!

Beargrumps22 · 15/12/2023 08:09

if they are doing this though enviromentally friendly not plastic wrap made life easier, why dont they put a tie on tag on it like a luggage label? i cannot see that stick on labels are very enviromentally friendly to be honest either not to mention just adds to the rage of the festive season. on this subject how did my gran manage to do wonderful parcels just using string and brown paper mine look like a bomb has gone off!

ChainBastard · 15/12/2023 08:13

Morrisons stickers are very easy peel, I had no issues at all and I am usually a real mess with these things. They gave extra paper but I didn't need it as the stickers peeled off so well.

Damnloginpopup · 15/12/2023 08:13

Wrapping paper is massively wasteful anyway. You might lose a few cm to stickers but nobody wraps edge to edge or cuts dead straight either. Odd shaped presents are the worst, either using an inordinate amount of paper or R putting in a box first, which is larger. Most is not recyclable which is even worse.

Welcome to the first world. There won't be snow in Africa this Christmas time* you know!

*Kilimanjaro and other potential mountainous areas not included 😁

DonnasShrugaleros · 15/12/2023 08:14

Warm the stickers with a hairdryer

Whinge · 15/12/2023 08:15

Wrapping paper is massively wasteful anyway.

I much prefer a gift bag, but dislike people who write on the tag. Xmas Grin

mummyh2016 · 15/12/2023 08:16

Sainsburys do this as well. I complained last year and they sent me vouchers for the value.

Beamur · 15/12/2023 08:17

Next have an interesting take on this - the edge is firmly stuck down and there's a tab at the end that you pull down (like a zipper) and it neatly cuts a new edge.
A bit of paper wasted is much easier on the environment than plastic.

Runnerduck34 · 15/12/2023 08:18

This makes me rage too, wrapping paper from John lewis , think it had about 5 sticky strips that were welded on- took absolutely ages to open it- very frustrating - I like pp suggestion of a paper rings to seal paper.

deplorabelle · 15/12/2023 08:18

I just wrapped the stickery bit on the inside of dh's present. He won't care

Dongdingd · 15/12/2023 08:21

I paused yesterday and decided to buy the older stock which was still wrapped because it was raining bucketloads and my big bag wouldn’t have kept it dry. Why is wrapping paper rolled in such long lengths?

Desecratedcoconut · 15/12/2023 08:22

You don't get this shit with lidl wrapping paper. Cellophane packaging and it's thick enough to score the edge of a fold with a nail without ripping the paper.