Top Ten Creative Gift Wrapping Ideas

These gift wrapping ideas merge classic tips with new innovations, such as texture and going green. If you want your gifts to be special and creative, don't conform to the old standbys. Instead, start thinking outside the box. (Pun intended!) To turn your wrapping paper into art, look no further than these ideas:

1. Stenciling and Stamping: While stenciling and stamping are not new developments, they never go out of style. Go back to basics and use a raw potato to make a stamp, or purchase any number of stamps from your favorite hobby shop. Stencil and stamp art works well on paper bags, newsprint or on tissue paper.

2. Color and Patterns: Whenever you have the chance to wrap a gift in two pieces, such as a coloring book and crayons, take advantage of the moment. Use one patterned wrapping paper and one solid colored wrapping paper that will match one of the colors in the patterned paper. Stack the gifts with the largest gift on the bottom.

3. Textured Gift Wrap: Texture can add pizzazz to an otherwise dull or plain gift packaging. Use texture in the form of velvet ribbon, a swatch of lace or tulle wrapped around a gift, or even a jump rope used in place of a ribbon and bow.

4. Gift Bags: Never underestimate the gift bag. Gift bags are perfect for those times when you're rushed and simply don't have time to wrap a gift or for those times when you've been invited to dinner and want to take a bottle of wine along as a hostess gift.

5. Gift Baskets: Baskets are also perfect for gift-giving purposes. Baskets or containers can be old, antique, gently used or brand new. Baskets can be spray painted in a jiffy to complement the colors found in the gift, and the paint camouflages flaws on the container itself. You can also try laundry baskets, wicker baskets, large bowls, crates or even Mason jars.

6. Wrapping Baked Goods: When you're giving baked goods as a gift, Mason jars work well for mixes that require the recipient to add liquid, but make sure you include a recipe card with all of the details. If your baked goods gift is a loaf of bread, you may want to support the bread by cutting a piece of cardboard the exact size of the bottom of the loaf, and then place the bread into a clean plastic bag. Use ribbons to tie the opening, and always include a neat gift tag.

7. Personalized Gift Tags: Instead of placing the recipient's name on the gift tag, use a fun photo. Use stenciling, stamping and scrapbooking techniques to personalize the item even more. For instance, if the gift is a pair of cowboy boots for an adult, try using a photo of the recipient when he was much younger. A good example might be a photo of him as a little boy wearing a cowboy hat. Then stamp horseshoes all along the border of the tag.

8. Step Back into Time: Gift giving can inspire fond memories, so pick something from the recipient's past that will nudge her in good directions. Wrap the gift in plain paper, and use 8-track tape as the ribbon or a 45 record as the gift tag. Just replace the label with the message you'd like your gift to carry or, if the label fits, leave it vintage. If you leave the label on the record, make sure the song fits the occasion.

9. Go Green: When it comes to decorating, going green is perhaps the smartest way to go. Reusing items that shouldn't be discarded after one use is a great way to go. Even a whole orange peeling can be dried and turned into a lovely jewelry case with a little bit of forethought. The key to going green is to think ahead. Don't toss all wrapping and shipping implements in the trash: Reuse them. Colorful magazine photos make great wrapping paper for small parcels, and old maps come in handy for wrapping larger items.

10. Mix and Match: Nothing is more fun than when you mix and match ideas. Stack a few presents-two in patterned paper and the one in the middle in a solid color-and then wrap an old velvet ribbon around the whole thing. Stamp the middle gift with the recipient's name in a matching color. Polish it up with a photo gift tag.