Free gift wrapping for the naughty and nice

You know the scenario: It’s the night before your holiday event, and you’re on your hands and knees on the floor. Your back is aching, tape is stuck to your slippers, you have paper cuts under your nails and your puggle puppy has run off with the roll of wrapping paper – again.

Regardless, Americans soldier on when it comes to wrapping gifts – spending about three hours during the holidays papering, boxing, and tagging gifts, according to polls conducted by Consumer Reports. You can eliminate some of the work by having the pros do it, but most retailers charge for the service – if they offer it at all.

“Wrapping has become a profit center during the holidays,” says retail expert Jack Abelson of Jack Abelson & Associates in Leawood, Kansas. “It used to be done for free and was part of a combination of services we called value. But like so many other things, stores have gotten away from it.”

To get a handle on what retailers are offering today, Consumer Reports contacted 17 major merchants to find out whether they offer gift wrap, and if so, what they provide in stores and online, and how much they charge. Here’s what it learned. (Note: Unless otherwise stated, policies stand year-round. Also, for walk-in stores, prices may vary from location to location.)

Amazon.com. Online only: Price depends on size and shape: $3.50 for items Consumer Reports tracked: a hardcover book, coffee maker and sweater. Most items come in a wrapped box or gift bag with ribbon and a card.

Barnes & Noble. Stores: Price depends on store. One local merchant said wrapping is always free. Online: $4 per item for books and boxed products.

Bed Bath & Beyond. Stores: Free do-it-yourself wrapping station with ribbons and other supplies. Online: $4 per order for eligible items. Large or boxed items come in a gift bag. Other goods come wrapped or in a gift box with tissue paper and ribbon.

Best Buy. Stores: $3 to $6 for a gift bag, depending on size. Online: $5 for decorative box with tissue paper.

Dillard’s. Stores: $4 to $7 for a wrapped box with ribbon, depending on size. Online: $6 per gift box; no wrap.

Jared the Galleria of Jewelry. Stores: Free Jared box with wrapping paper and ribbon. Online: Free wrapped box, with option to add a personal message.

J.C. Penney. Stores: Free box. Wrapping paper or a gift bag costs about $4. Online: $4 per item, which includes gift wrap, a bow and a personalized message.

Kohl’s. Stores: Boxes available free during the holidays. Online: $6 per box, which comes with color-coordinated wrapping paper and ribbon.

L.L.Bean. Stores: Free gift boxes. Online: $6 for a gift box with ribbon, tissue paper and a card.

Lord & Taylor. Stores: $6 for gift box and ribbon. Online: Same as at stores.

Macy’s. Stores: Price depends on size, location and other factors. At the flagship store in New York City, for example, options range from $6 to $16. Online: $6 for a gift box and ribbon.

Nordstrom. Stores: Free boxes, paper and other supplies. Online: For $5, a gift box, bow and card with a message; for $2, a gift box with tissue paper and a blank card; or a free eight- to 12-word message.

Sears. Stores: No. Online: $5 for wrap or gift bag, plus a message.

Target. Stores: No. Online: $6 for eligible items.

Von Maur. Stores: Free. Online: Same as at stores.

Wal-Mart. Stores: No. Online: $4, but free for some items, including jewelry.

Williams-Sonoma. Stores: Free box, paper and ribbon. Online: $6 per box, includes wrapping paper and ribbon.

For more information, visit ConsumerReports.org.

2015 Consumers Union Inc.