Get crafty with these holiday gift wrap ideas

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, December 5, 2012

(BPT) – Make wrapping gifts more fun this holiday season. Get your supplies ready, invite some friends and turn up the holiday music.

Before you get started, here are some creative gift wrapping tips from popular crafting blogger, Cindy Hopper, founder of SkipToMyLou.org.

“I love wrapping holiday gifts – from little treasures like Dunkin’ Donuts(R) seasonal packaged coffee to bigger presents like kids’ toys and electronics – in unexpected and creative ways,” says Hopper. “You don’t need a lot of money, just some motivation and imagination, to create packaging that will make any gift recipient smile.”

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* A touch of fun – Make packaging playful by adding a small toy like a jump rope as ribbon or jingle bells to the top of the gift.

* Tie two together– Have the gift and its wrapping complement one another. Place a bag of new Dunkin’ Donuts Gingerbread Cookie packaged coffee in a cookie jar. Present the Pumpkin Spice variety in a basket of mini-pumpkins, or serve Mocha Mint with a favorite chocolate bar.

* Keep a cushion – Replace packing peanuts with colorful tissue paper, blown up balloons or even wrapped candies, to create an eye-catching display when recipients open their package.

* Wrap it up – Instead of purchasing wrapping paper, see what’s available at home to use. Newspaper comics, wallpaper scraps or even pages from an old atlas or map make memorable gift wrap.

* Look to nature– Add a fresh flower, pretty shell or sprig of mistletoe for an elegant, outdoor element to any holiday gift.

* Contain yourself – Instead of the standard cardboard box, house gifts in decorative tins, hat boxes or fruit crates for a clever presentation.

* Two in one – If gifting seasonal food or beverages, pair the gift with serving items. For example, offer Dunkin’ Donuts packaged coffee in a mug, or wrap the package with a ribbon attached to a coffee scoop.

* Tag, you’re it– Focus on the gift tag. Use unusual items like recipe cards, luggage tags or coasters to identify gift recipients.

* Stamp it out – View plain wrapping paper as a canvas by covering it with a unique pattern of colorful rubber stamp prints.

* Monogram madness – Personalize presents by including the recipients’ initials on the wrapping. Write their initials all over the paper or affix cut out letters or cookie cutters in their initials as tags.