Inventive gift-wrap ideas for everyone on your list.

1. Embellished Package Toppers
If it's the thought that counts, what does a slapped-on peel-and-stick curlicue ribbon convey? You can easily make package toppers that feel much less perfunctory and predictable than a store-bought bow (left). Grab beads, blossoms, bells, or other bling from a crafts store and knot one piece at a time onto embroidery floss or thin ribbon. To make it truly personal, spell out a giftee's name with charms, or turn a locket into a gift tag (cut dark paper to fit inside, and write your message with a gel pen). These little touches have a big impact, which means you can keep the rest of the package simple. To dress up a gift tube (which is a nice way to bestow a holiday gratuity), we just taped a strip of pretty paper around the belly.

2. Japanese Paper Wrap
If you're still searching for that perfect gift wrap, look no further than your local newsstand. Add an unusual and memorable twist by wrapping your presents using foreign-language newspapers.

If you're wrapping your gift in Japanese newspaper, tuck and pleat a 6-inch band of Japanese decorative paper so the width measures about 4 inches. Then tape the decorative band to the gift and finish by adding a 1/2-yard-long piece of gold ribbon.

3. Translucent Wrapping
With a series of crisp folds, glassine—or less expensive tissue—serves as both gift wrap and ribbon.

4. Yarn Wrapping
Give holiday gifts unexpected panache by using leftover yarn in place of ribbon.

5. Vintage Linen Wrap
Wrap goods in vintage napkins, handkerchiefs, or other linens graced with lively patterns, and the packaging itself will serve as an added gift. Look for linens at flea markets or online. Fabrics are particularly helpful when wrapping articles whose shapes don't lend themselves to paper. The rest is a cinch: Gather fabric around item; tie with ribbon.

6. Button Gift Wrap
This button-stamped gift wrap is fun to make. Affix button to a cork with double-sided tape. Place plain paper on a piece of felt or a folded piece of fabric (this cushions the paper so the mark will be even). Top with a pretty button tied on with baker's twine.

7. Eco Gift Wrap
Given the time and thought that goes into picking a holiday gift, the standard wrap job—a rumpled bow slapped on a department-store box or a bag and tissue paper picked up at the drugstore—rarely does justice to the contents. This year make gift wrap that's both gorgeous and green by creatively repurposing stuff others might toss

8. Snowball Box
Although these containers resemble snowballs, they're not for throwing, but for packaging small presents.

Snowball Box How-To
Start with wooden globe boxes from crafts stores. With pinking shears, cut a circle of card stock for the base. Make leaves using felt. Working over a paper plate and in sections, paint ball halves with craft glue; sprinkle with clear glass glitter. Apply glue and glitter to base and leaves. Glue base to ball. String a jingle bell onto a ribbon; tie a bow. Glue leaves and bow to snowball. Fill with loose tinsel to support gift.

9. Jingle Bells Wrap
Re-create the sound of Santa's sleigh with a small bell attached to Christmas parcels. Purchase the bells at crafts stores, and use lengths of thin ribbon or cord to secure to packages. The box shown here is also decorated with a band of velvet ribbon.

10. Revitalized Ribbon
Each December they spring up everywhere by the bagful, economical standbys you can make uniquely beautiful. Freed by scissors, their coils uncurl into ruffly blooms; paired, those blooms become fluffy pom-poms. Amassed on a gift, even basic bows seem luxurious. You'll need lots, so buy them in bulk.

11. Tinsel Stars
Who doesn't love tinsel? Here's another way to use it: Twist wired tinsel (available at specialty-craft stores) into six-pointed stars. Cut three pieces of tinsel, two of equal length and one a little longer. Twist equal pieces together at centers, and wrap third piece onto the two twisted pieces, forming a star. Bend end of longer piece into a hook, and attach the star from the ribbon on a gift. Or hang as an ornament on a tree.

12. Woven Ribbon Wrap
Here's our idea of thinking outside the box: interweaving ribbons to dress up a gift. The weaving begins with a single ribbon stretched across the top of the package, its loose ends fixed to the bottom with double-sided tape.

13. Candy Wrapping
Dress packages in candy stripes for a sweet presentation. Use double-sided tape to secure the end of a length of ribbon to the bottom of a wrapped package. Wind around box, spacing stripes evenly; thread a tag through the free end of the ribbon. Finish by affixing ribbon underneath the box with double-sided tape. Repeat with ribbons in different widths or colors.

14. Clip-Art Gift Adornments
These smartly wrapped packages have retro charm. Attaching the holiday tags is a cinch—they're designed with slits that fit around ribbon. And the handles slip right over the tops of plain bags, turning them into cute parcels you can carry.

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