4 tips to personalize your gift wrapping

Most people consider a wrapped gift a single present. However, the wrapping can be a gift in and of itself when you spend a little extra time and effort. Your friends and family will enjoy the extra effort.

Alternatives to traditional wrapping paper can go the extra mile in personalizing your gift to someone's individual tastes. You don't have to use traditional paper to wrap a gift. Consider using other easy-to-find materials that are meaningful to the recipient.

• Wrap a present with pages from a cookbook and cooking twine when you give a gift to your favourite baker.
• For the avid traveler, road maps and atlas pages work as a graphic gift wrap. Instead of tying a bow on top, thread a thin cord through a simple button and knot securely.
• Using sheet music as wrapping paper is the perfect way to package a gift for a musician.

If you're giving several items, including clothing, consider turning the piece of clothing into the gift wrapping.

• A scarf or shirt can easily cover a variety of gifts and adds a unique tone and texture to the selection of gifts around the tree.
• Even if you're not giving clothing, infuse new life into thrift store finds and brooches to make unique wrappings and accents for gifts.

Adding small accents to a gift, like candy canes and small toys, is a fun way to help children get a little extra something from their presents.

• Tie a cute ornament onto the top of the present to fill out the gift and make it more special for adults.
• If you're giving a gift to a guy, use bow ties or regular ties as the ribbon on the present.
• These small touches and accents can make quite a difference.

Why not order printed wrapping paper?

• Upload photos and put them on wrapping paper to make meaningful gift wrap for family or close friend gifts. You can even add names or pictures of pets.
• If you want to make your own paper at home without the hassle of ordering it, expand the photos as and print on larger paper, or take the job to a local print shop.
• Personalized wrapping paper is fairly easy to make, especially with a little help.
• If you're feeling up to the challenge, personalize everyone's gift or create one batch to make the job easier.

Like they say, it's the thought that counts. These ideas will help personalize your gifts and really show someone how much you care about them.