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Is Thanksgiving seriously next week? It feels like Kyle and I just moved into our farmhouse cottage in Maine a week ago! The biggest change this holiday season will be not physically having my family around. Until recently, I’ve always had everyone in my immediate circle within an 100 mile radius, and in August, I decided to relocate (temporarily) to the northern tip of New England. It’s already gotten tough, but I know I’m going to miss them even more during the holiday season. Since I’ve been constantly missing home, I started Christmas shopping in October– and it’s been super frustrating not having my well-stocked box of holiday wrapping supplies at my fingertips. In case any of you have been wondering why I’ve been doing less fashion posts, it’s because 95% of my closet, as well as all my Thanksgiving and Christmas decor, is still in Florida.

So, for the next few weeks, simplicity and efficiency are the names of the game, and I’ve been looking for simple decor tutorials and easy gift wrapping ideas left and right. I’ve heard that flying with Christmas presents is never a good idea, since the TSA can rip apart all your pretty wrapping if they deem any of your packages “suspicious” or whatever (psst– click here for more holiday travel tips). Your best bet is always to ship gifts ahead of time– or to revert to solely giving gift cards. I’m not a fan of giving gift cards, so I went to Walmart this past week to look for wrapping supplies. I was absolutely elated when I saw all of American Greetings new products! I wrapped all my Christmas gifts in under five minutes with all of their fabulous festive wrapping products. Keep reading for a handful of quick and easy gift wrapping ideas that I used to avoid spending extra time and money on crafty trimmings.

Step 1: Stock Up on Supplies

There are so many ways to make the holidays merry and bright, and American Greetings has an incredible selection of holiday goodies to help consumers celebrate and connect with family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers this season. Next time you’re in a Walmart, you’ll be able to find all kinds of affordable gift wrapping supplies, like greeting cards, patterned gift boxes, holiday stickers, treat bags, festive gift bags, colorful tissue paper, roll gift wrap, shiny bows, and pretty ribbon. I purchased everything below, but keep in mind that their patterned gift boxes are arguably the biggest time and tape saver.

Step 2: Box It Up

Instead of searching tirelessly for a perfectly-sized, wrap-friendly box.. and then subsequently wrapping it, cut out the two steps entirely. Purchase a patterned gift box from American Greetings (they come in sets of three). There’s literally no assembly (or tape) required; just unfold into a colorful cube of holiday cheer.

Step 3: Pack with Goodness

Next, create a stunning gift presentation by adding colorful tissue paper and stuffing with gifts, like this precious American Greetings plush holiday teddy bear for my BFF’s little girl.

Step 4: Add Color

Add some colorful ribbon and/or a shiny bow as a finishing touch. In under five minutes, you’ll have an immaculate looking gift whose wrapping required very little effort. Plus, you’ll save energy on paper clean-up, too. I personally added white American Greetings ribbon around my gift box, but if you’re in a time crunch, you can easily just top with a big bow and call it a day.

Step 5: Odd-Shaped Alternatives

Don’t fret; I know a variety of items can’t fit in a square or even rectangular box. As for those cumbersome and oddly-shaped gifts of yours, here’s the most simple of all holiday gift wrapping ideas: a large, decorative American Greetings plastic gift bag. This striped bag, which also comes in other festive patterns, is 20 x 20 inches, so it could easily fit something as big as a pillow inside. Just throw your gift or toy in the gift bag, tie with the provided cord, and address the enclosed gift tag. It’s super simple, yet it still looks like you put time and effort into wrapping it.

Step 6: Top with More Holiday Cheer

To further decorate my plastic gift bags, paper gift bags, and paper gift boxes, I purchased a handful of medium and large-sized bows to throw on each package.

Ta da! All my Christmas presents are wrapped and ready to go three weeks early! These gift boxes have seriously become my secret weapon, and I’m crossing my fingers that American Greetings comes out with themed boxes for the rest of the year. Anything to spare the world from my horrendous wrap jobs!

Oh, and this isn’t one of my easy gift wrapping ideas, but have you ever heard of “Elfing” someone? I just found out about it, and I can’t wait to use some of these leftover boxes to “Elf” my neighbors (and probably Kyle, too). To rewind a bit, American Greetings is encouraging people to “Elf” their friends, neighbors, and/or coworkers by creating a small gift bag or basket using fun holiday products (candy is an easy one) and leaving the bag on a neighbor’s porch or coworker’s desk with the American Greetings “Elfing” printables. Each printable features a cute poem and small sign for people to hang on their door after they’ve been “Elfed.” Check out the adorable Neighborhood printable here!

To find any and all of the supplies I featured in this round-up of easy gift wrapping ideas, head to the holiday card aisle in Walmart. You’ll find a treasure trove of holiday cards, gift boxes, wrapping paper, and, of course, good ole’ gift bags to use for wrapping, “Elfing,” and the like.

Do you have any easy gift wrapping ideas to share? I’m all ears! Only 39 sleeps until Christmas, y’all!