Gift Wrapping | Free - Consumer Reports

12 stores that still gladly wrap up your gifts

Consumer Reports Money Adviser: November 2012

Free gift-wrapping service was once a welcome perk of most traditional department stores. What you saved in time—not to mention tissue, tags, and tape—helped lighten the burden of the holiday gift march. Over the years, many big retailers, including Macy’s and JCPenney, have pretty much done away with their in-store wrapping services. We called Kohl’s, Sears, Target, Kmart, and Walmart stores in the New York metro area, and none of them offered in-store wrapping, either.

But not everyone has followed in lockstep. Here are some retailers that will still wrap your in-store purchases at no charge. Also listed are a few merchants that will wrap gifts you order online or by phone free or for a reasonable fee.

Retailer	Wrapping policy
Barnes & Noble	Free year-round. During the holidays, nonprofit groups do the wrapping and donations are encouraged. Online purchases can be gift-wrapped for $3.99 per item.
Bed Bath & Beyond	Free use of a do-it-yourself wrapping station stocked with all the supplies. Gift-wrapping service for online purchases is $2.99.
Lands’ End	Gift-wrapping is available only for phone and online orders, and it costs $6. But unlike many merchants, Lands’ End will pack multiple items in the same box at your request.
L.L.Bean	Free during the holiday season at the flagship store in Freeport, Maine.
L’Occitane en Provence	Free in store and online. Gift-wrapping materials include paper, cardboard, and wood from sustainably managed forests.
Lord & Taylor	No in-store wrapping, but the pretty gold and silver boxes are free.
Nordstrom	Ask your sales associate, and he or she will usually wrap your purchase free. If you shop online, you can buy a gift-box kit for $2 that includes a box, tissue paper, bow, and gift tag.
Origins	Free in store and online. You get a sturdy, colorful box and pick the color of the ribbon. Gift sets have fancier wrapping.
Pottery Barn	Free in store starting in mid-November.
Raymond Jewelers	Free year-round. This family-owned business has just one retail store, in Wethersfield, Conn. If you buy online, you can request a free gift-wrapping kit that includes a box, your choice of wrapping paper, and a matching bow. Engraving and shipping are also free.
Tiffany & Co.	Year-round, all in-store and online purchases are lavishly wrapped in tissue, placed in a signature Tiffany blue box, and tied with white ribbon (or red ribbon for the holidays). A personalized gift card is included.
Von Maur	Free year-round. This family-owned chain of 27 department stores, primarily in the Midwest, offers free gift-wrapping and shipping. At its website, vonmaur.com, you can choose your wrapping paper and personalize a gift message.