Wrapping paper - save me from myself

[mydailymailhell]

My DH has been diligently wrapping presents over the past week or so - ones for me, and owns for the kids that have been delivered from his extended family. I selected and bought nice wrapping paper and labels and some ribbons etc that I was planning on using. I hoped there would be enough for all presents. Today I was asked “ how are we doing for wrapping paper”…. So he had used all the wrapping paper and the question was how WE were planning on sourcing more. I had picked nice wrapping paper and was planning on wrapping my presents tonight. My presents to others, ours to the kids and my families to the kids are the ones left to wrap. My reply was WE had left out all the wrapping paper in the spare room so if WE still had presents to wrap then WE would need more paper. He tried to buy some while carrying out various errands today and there’s no Christmas wrapping paper left. So now I’m wrapping my presents with shitty birthday wrapping paper. He’s also used up all the nice tags. I’m fuming. Please talk me down from a ledge and tell me AIBU and I should just move on as it’s not a big deal. How can I avoid this happening in future? (I had similar- what are WE doing for wrapping paper chats last year which irritated me. If I raise it he’ll get defensive and tell me I’m making a big deal out of nothing (which to be fair I probably am). I’m probably annoyed because o have done all the planning, sourcing, shopping, travel booking and arranging of social plans and I’m done

I would be annoyed by this too. I buy quality paper that is easier to wrap with. I make sure to get a mix of patterns that all coordinate. That paper sells out early every year. You can’t just go buy more in the weeks before Christmas.

I ask DH to estimate his needs and he is always off. Then it’s off to buy the cheap stuff they sell at the big box stores. That paper tears easily and the lines aren’t as crisp.

after a few years of frustration I did finally come up with a solution. I just ridiculously over buy. Then I save the rolls. Those extra rolls don’t get used for our main gifts, but when people send money and ask us to buy a present for the children, I then have different paper I can use to distinguish those gifts.

There’s plenty available round here. Have a sneaking feeling he’s not looked very hard because this is a you problem, not a him problem.

Gosh. I don’t know. Hide the paper you need next year and make him do some of the work. lazy git.

Yup, my childhood unwrapping was rip it off, hoy it in the fire. Same now, paper gets destroyed by dogs/people, gets picked up and thrown in the woodburner. It’s the thrill of seeing what’s underneath, nobody really cares about the paper bar the person wrapping.

Have you a Waitrose anywhere nearby OP? Ours usually has plenty of Christmas paper and tags left and it’s nice stuff.

B&m

I bought 3 rolls of 120 metre kraft paper red, green and brown from a florist supply shop 5 years ago. I just alternate the string and ribbon every year. The rolls are still going 🤩

Buy lots of nice fabric and ribbon, if you can this year, if not, at least it'll mean this will never happen again, because the stuff is reusable so you'll always have it. And it doesn't tear or need so much faffing with.
Or, you could do what a lot of women do, and do all the paper wrapping of everything yourself, so you keep control of everything (women being responsible for all "event" management is common some of the places I have lived, but personally I wouldn't go for this).
Please don't ruin your Christmas and worse over this, honestly it's what's inside that counts, or more seriously, enjoying your time together. Kids don't remember perfectly wrapped presents, they remember how their parents make them feel.

This is what I need to hear. Thank you. I know it’s no big deal. My paper is also not that special - quite plain stuff from Sostrene and Flying tiger. Yes, I can easily get some Kraft paper not a problem. Yes, no one gives a shit about matching paper (although having bright pink striped paper amongst the muted tones under the tree will irritate me, just me). It’s less about solving this particular issue (getting more paper now) and more about why do I feel so pissed off about this tiny thing.

I buy paper for dc and keep that hidden and separate to everything else. I have tonnes of the stuff, I bought 7 rolls this year, adding to the 20 odd other rolls that have accumulated over the years.
Sainsbury's had loads today. Not sure why shops run out, surely they know people need this last minute.

You’re pissed off by this tiny thing because you seem to be doing loads and it’s inconsiderate and selfish. Not a tiny thing when you look at it like that.

They don't want to have a massive excess at the end of the day tomorrow though. If they over-stock to help the people that run out last minute, they are reducing their profits by having to sell at a reduced price.

Some stores, e.g. Tesco have suitable paper in their birthday / general wrapping paper section. One of the ones they do is speckled silver - which I tend to buy as it works for everything and everyone - child, adult, birthday, anniversary, wedding, baby shower.

I think you are completely over reacting.

I guess my point is AIBU to expect someone not to just use up something they had no involvement in sourcing or buying and when they see it’s gone asking another person “how are we doing for Christmas paper”.

I think it is petty and weird in a family, to separate out things like who owns the wrapping paper. You aren't flat mates, you are a family.
I tend to buy several rolls of paper in the sales after Christmas and it is just there. If I see some bargain in the run up to Christmas, I'd pick it up and add it to the pile. It is just bizarre to have each individual get their own paper and sellotape and labels etc.
Do you have separate washing up liquid for when you are washing up or when he is washing up ? Separate jars of coffee for when he is making it or you are? Or do you just use what is there until it needs to go on the shopping list to get the next bottle / jar in ?

What is odd is that he couldn't find any, anywhere if out and about in the shops today. But that is a separate issue.

Tinfoil, no need for sellotape, just scrunch.

there’s no Christmas wrapping paper left

what nonsense

I buy and wrap the majority of presents in our house, as I enjoy sourcing things I think people will like to receive.
I keep specific paper for DC (adult) and DH and this is stored separate to the paper that is available for general use and none of the presents ar labelled (just put in reusable sacks/bags.
Presents for other people are wrapped in the other papers (usually use all the same paper for each person) then put in a gift bag (that may be re-used) and a single gift tag tied on.
I didn't actually buy any paper this year as I had plenty left from last year and just purchased 3 new gift bags.
If DH needs any paper (not sure whether he has got me anything to unwrap as I requested theatre vouchers) he will just use from the general paper that is left easily accessible. The other rolls are kept hidden!

It's this @mydailymailhell . You are slowly realising that you are married to a lazy, selfish, inconsiderate, unsupportive man who doesn't care about you and your feelings. Make one of your New Year's resolutions to change the dynamics, either through a heart to heart talk or though counselling. Enough is enough and you deserve more. In the meantime open the Baileys (or whisky) and kick back

If he did the same last year why didn’t you keep your stash of paper away from him?

For prevention… we’re on year 2 or 3 of Costco paper and in no danger of running out. Or just jointly buy lots and lots next year.

If you are anti pink you could hide those ones?

Am I the only one who uses gift bags (mix of high end for adults, and cheaper from Primark for kids)?. No scissors, sellotape, etc. And gift tags already attached. My family uses them also so we recycle and often get the bags back the next year!