How to wrap your gifts, ideas for novel ways for gift wrapping presents.

Alternatives to commercial gift wrapping paper:

Use Japanese style 'Fabric Wrapping' on your gifts and presents; this style of gift wrapping is

suitable for all occasions including birthdays and Christmas time.  See the videos on the way to do this attractive gift wrapping style.

Buy green gift wrap if it is available.

Wrap your gifts in brown parcel paper which can be decorated by you and after use it will compost down.

Use Tissue Paper to wrap your gifts - you will need more than one layer but this is a 'compostable' paper and so will not end up going to landfill sites. Tissue paper now comes in a wide range of colours and some is even patterned. 

Remember that if you get presents wrapped in commercial wrapping paper you can re-use the areas that are still in pristine condition.

Gift bags and bottle bags or bottle tubes can be re-used to send future gifts.

You can make fabric bags to put your tissue wrapped gifts in, or wrap the gift in an extra gift such as a scarf or a re-usable cotton shopping bag.

Without wrapping a gift loses the excitement of the mystery of wondering just what is inside this parcel that someone has given you. Most people would agree that part of the pleasure of recieving a gift is the anticipation of what it might be that is hidden beneath the wrapping.

A present wrapped in a stylish way shows that you have spent time and care on selecting and wrapping the gift. Stylish gift wrapping does not have to be expensive and if you are reluctant to waste paper that will end up on a landfill site then there are green alternatives to glossy and glitzy gift wrap.

Imagine handing over a gift beautifully wrapped or being given the same gift tossed into a plastic carrier bag. The same gift from the same person giving it ; but one gift says - 'I spent time and effort on selecting and wrapping this' and the other one hints that even if the gift is just what you have wanted it looks like an after thought that has been bought for you at the last moment.

Tissue paper is thin so it is not sturdy enough to use as a single sheet to wrap. Depending on how thick the tissue paper you are using is you will need at least three or four layers, for some things two sheets used together may be enough for wrapping scarves or lingerie but anything like a box or books with corners will need more layers. Remember some of the paler colors of tissue wrapping will be almost transparent unless used in enough layers. Use sellotape lightly to stick down the paper where you fold it, try not to have a heavy handed approach as it will spoil the appearance of the gift wrap. A delicate ribbon wrap around the gift and a nice gift tag in matching colors can enhance the look of the presents wrapping.

or if you are really clever make a fabric or felt version of a bottle bag or tube. Felt is non-fraying so it is easy to use once stitched together you can decorate it with other felt shapes, sequins, ribbons or buttons.

If you are giving a cake as a gift you will probably wrap it just before you give it to the person who the present is for (wrapping it up too soon could cause it to 'sweat' or go go mouldy).

• The easiest way to give a cake as a gift is to buy a nice tin that it fits well into and then if you wish wrap the tin.
• A cheaper way to wrap a cake as a gift is to wrap it in foil and then put a layer of tissue or gift wrap over this.
• You could buy a cake box, if you cannot find one in the shops a bakery might sell you a suitable size of cake box.
• You could buy a hat box to use to put the cake that you are going to give as a gift, wrap it first in foil or grease-proof paper or stand it on a sturdy paper plate inside the box.

Work out the way that best suits the type of cake you have bought or made as a gift, as transporting it in an unsuitable container could ruin your beautiful surprise.

You could wrap the gift cake in foil or grease proof and then gift wrap it using the fabric wrapping ideas that are shown on this page. A square of fabric knotted on the top of the cake parcel could make a really cute gift wrapping idea.

If you have baked a gift for someone then it is worth presenting it well to match you culinary skills. Cup-cake gift boxes for different quantities of cakes are available and a cake always looks nice when given in a decorated storage tin.