Wrap Artist

According to Charlotte Packer, co-author of Gift Wrapping and Christmas Inspirations, you don't need a degree in design to create an eye-catching masterpiece. "Good wrapping need not be complicated, just well-executed and appropriate to the gift," she says.

And you don't need to spend a fortune on materials if you start building up a collection of items that may prove useful.

According to Charlotte, items to look out for include "scraps of pretty paper, fabric and ribbon, sturdy boxes and gift bags."

Your wrapping kit should also include a sharp pair of scissors, plenty of double-sided tape and a roll of sticky tape.

Where to start

Firstly, you need to decide on a theme for your wrapping. Charlotte suggests taking inspiration from the colour and style of your Christmas tree.

"Rather than wrapping every present in the same paper, choose a variety of papers with similar patterns and colours, then use a scattering of tree decorations to unify the theme. If you want to try something different to the usual shop-bought wrapping paper, try using fabric off-cuts, wallpaper, Cellophane, hand-marbled paper or even a map or print."

Inexpensive tissue paper is perfect for children's stocking-fillers, which are usually ripped open too quickly to warrant fancy trimmings and kids will love the crunchy, crinkly sound.

If you run out of wrapping paper late on Christmas Eve, newspaper provides an ideal solution. It has just enough body to fold neatly and looks quirky and stylish.

The Financial Times is a particularly pretty salmon-pink colour that looks especially glamorous teamed with thick red velvet ribbon.

Small but perfectly formed

If you're giving a token, tickets or money, a plain white envelope can look a bit lacklustre. Instead, buy a colourful envelope and decorate it with paper cut-outs, sequins, metallic pens and glitter.

Alternatively, you can make your own decorative envelope from a pretty piece of paper: Use an ordinary envelope of the correct size as a template. Carefully open it out, using a paper knife if necessary. Place the opened-out envelope flat on the back of the paper you want to use then draw around it, cut it out and glue it together. Seal it by attaching a bead to the end of a length of silver thread or fine wire and wind it around the envelope.

Awkward shapes

Some presents are just too awkwardly-shaped, small or delicate for straightforward wrapping. A box offers extra protection and ensures the contents remain a mystery.

Ready-made boxes are widely available or you can save old packaging throughout the year to customise with wrapping paper and ribbons.

Gift bags are also useful. Add a personal touch to shop-bought bags by decorating with cut-out stars, snowflakes or holly leaves. Fabric bags are a good way of using up leftover pieces of fabric.

Bottle it

Food and drink gift items are often packaged so beautifully that all you'll need to add is a gift tag or pretty accessory.

However, if you do want to wrap a bottle, cut a piece of paper longer than the bottle at each end.

Roll the paper tightly round the bottle and secure with tape, leaving the ends free. Neatly pleat the paper around the base and secure with tape.

Carefully fold the excess paper at the neck of the bottle to create a point that can be folded over like the flap of an envelope and secure with tape.

Finishing touches

Once the wrapping paper is in place, it's time to add a final flourish with ribbons and trinkets.

Charlotte says: "When choosing what to use, consider colour, scale and the sort of thing the recipient would like best. Start a ribbon box and stock it with ribbons and fabric trims in a variety of colours and textures. Don't forget thick, rustic-looking twine and colourful raffia, or even a humble ball of string."

A large silk bow which dominates the gift always looks great. The thicker the ribbon, the more luscious and lavish the result. Secure with double-sided sticky tape and trim the ends into a fork or asymmetric point for a professional finish. Details that hint at the content of the gift add to the pleasure and surprise of the unwrapping. Attach decorative baubles, fresh flowers, a paper posy, feathers, sweets or even costume jewellery to a gift for a unique and easy finishing touch.

Luggage labels make excellent gift tags and can be customised with cut-off wrapping paper, glitter or ribbon.

An edible gift tag is an unexpected treat.

Use icing to pipe the name of the recipient on to a gingerbread biscuit, then tie to the parcel with a gingham bow.

Create A Cracker

Make a tube using a piece of card (an old toilet roll is ideal for something small) and place your present inside.

Take a sheet of wrapping paper and fold it to create pleats at regular intervals.

Place the paper on a flat surface, right side down and hold the pleats in place with a strip of adhesive tape along the centre.

Put the tube containing the present parallel to the pleats and centre at one end of the paper.

Roll the present along the paper until you reach the end and seal with tape.

Finally, tie with a ribbon at each end.