Unique Ideas For Gift Wrapping

Stick It: If you're shipping your gift cross country (or just feeling especially lazy), these decorative packing tapes add oomph. For frill-lovers, try Fred Flare's tinsel-tree inspired tape ($9.00); for traditionalists, seal the deal with this holiday tape. ($16.00)

Photo Credit: Shopping.com and Fred Flare

Ornament Additions: Salvage last year's tree toppers by giving them new life as present add-ons. Slip old ornaments -- or inexpensive new ones, like these cheery CB2 numbers ($4.95) -- into the ribbon of your packages for an extra punch of holiday cheer.

Photo Credit: CB2

Home Sweet Home: You don't have to be an architect to construct this cookie house ($4.95 for 6). Fill this cardboard abode with even the most basic treats and your pals will be glad they stopped by your house this holiday season.

Photo Credit: Punchbowl

Wood You Open This?: Designed for wine bottles, this birch veneer cylinder ($16.99) from the Container Store can also work wonders for rolled up scarves, bath products or any other item for the wilderness-lover on your list. Bonus: The birch smells delightful!

Photo Credit: Container Store

Graphic Gift: Let punchy designs do the work for you! Forgo the usual holiday palette and choose super-graphic papers that are bold enough to go bowless. These poppy prints ($5.50 per sheet) from Whimsy Press look striking en masse under a tree. To craft a simple topper, cut strips of the paper, then nestle inside each other and tape to your gift. 

Photo Credit: Whimsy Press

Music Maker: Don't just provide music lovers with a bevy of tunes -- wrap them up with a way to listen to them. Tie a bow of brightly hued, inexpensive headphones around an iTunes gift card, CD, or store credit towards a new iPod Touch.

Photo Credit: Kim Moreau

Super Storage: With the Container Store's Crayola-colored boxes ($0.39 and up), your giftees might not be as surprised, but they'll certainly appreciate having an attractive container they can use for the other 364 days of the year. Nab these cheap boxes and fill with any manner of present. 

Photo Credit: Container Store

Soft as Snow: Dreaming of a white Christmas? Pick packaging that harkens to drifts of snow, no matter the weather. This satin snowflake ribbon ($23.83) saves you the countless folds and cuts it would take to make the paper variety. Wrap around a blue paper package for an especially icy treat.

Photo Credit: Buy.com

X Marks the Spot: The world traveler in your life will appreciate whatever road-ready gear you get him, especially if it's wrapped in road-weary directions. Repurpose old maps as clever gift wrap-or go the extra mile and print of a Google Map of their favorite locale.

Photo Credit: Kim Moreau

Spirited Spirits: Skip the lumpy and dowdy wine bags next time you need to gussy up the obligatory bottle of vino. Whimsy Press's adorable double-sided wine tags ($6.00 for 6) give you space to mark your poison for the hostess, and make even the cheapest bottle seem high-class.  

Photo Credit: Whimsy Press

Photo Finished: Give your gift a personal touch -- right down to the postage. Create an inexpensive set of postage with PhotoStamps (starting at $18.99 for a sheet of 20). 

Photo Credit: Picture It Postage 

Holiday Tweed: Gifting your top chef the tools to make delicious eats all year long? Swath their gift in wax paper, or a pretty dish towel. Skip the ribbon and use baker's twine -- like these festive rolls from Martha Stewart ($4.90)

Photo Credit: Scrapbook.com

Pick A Card: Trying to camouflage the basic gift card? Let game-loving recipients have a little fun before they spend your present. Nab an inexpensive pack of playing cards and slip in the certificate. Make sure your recipient shuffles the deck before you head out.

Photo Credit: Kim Moreau