Wrapping Gifts in Style

Whether covered in handmade paper or encased in a decorative tin, a gift today is more than just a present.

• Gathering handmade papers and natural things from outside to pull together a present says you gave the gift a lot of thought. One trick is to combine different papers on one package.

• Textured papers add even more interest to a package. Although they are more expensive, they can be reused each year on smaller gifts or to make accent bands around parcels.

• Use paint and découpage pretty paper to cover a flowerpot or put the gift in a galvanized bucket for functional gift wrap - the container can actually be used once the item is removed.

• Slip odd-shaped children's gifts into a pillowcase stamped with fabric paint to make wrapping them easy.

• As a clever alternative to the standard paper gift bag, cut a slit in the fold of a greeting card and slip it over the bag handles for a topper.

• For Kwanzaa, wrap a gift for each of the seven days in the traditional colors of black, green and red. Also, since Kwanzaa symbolizes the African harvest, anything that symbolizes harvest will work such as wheat shafts and dried fruit slices.