It’s that time again, and off you trundle to purchase your wrapping paper and sticky tape just in time for Santa’s visit because although you're not supposed to judge a book by a cover, it's hard not to judge a present by its packaging. But the problem with gift wrapping is that it has been done (to death) and it’s expensive, especially considering it’s all ripped off in mere seconds once to go ahead is given.

The following are innovative and exciting tips that will either excite or make your life easier; delete as appropriate:

• The artistic approach – For that creative person in your life why not go that extra mile and wrap some art into their gift? It’s easy to print off famous pictures from the internet – possibly even their favourite painting. Use this as your wrapping paper as it shows you have put added thought in to their present and it makes a nice change.
• Simplicity chic – Sometimes brown paper and string does the job just as well as the fancy stuff. Purchase a big roll of simple brown (ideally recycled) paper (the kind you cover copybooks with) and wrap all your gifts with this. Straightforward string will do the trick if you like or, as you’ve saved so much money on paper, you could splash out on some really special, pretty ribbon to create a fancy contrast.
• The eco endeavor – Reusing and recycling are the buzz activities of the era, and as Christmas is easily the most wasteful time of the year why not inject a little eco-inspired thriftiness into your present wrapping? Instead of purchasing paper use up what you have in the house – it’s everywhere! Have fun tearing up old magazines or newspapers or rummage for the bits of odd wrapping paper that you have left over and jigsaw them together for a fun, final effect.
• Kids creative – Bored children? No time to buy gift wrap? Problem solved! Get some plain paper and paints out and set your kids to work creating their own Christmassy designs. They will love the idea of a project and you won’t need to worry about wrapping paper; every one’s a winner!
• Outside the box – Or you could just forego gift wrapping all together and represent the recipient with ‘wrapping’ they can use again and again. Consider a large jar, a basket or a wooden box. This way your gift will be doubly appreciated.