Have you ever watched gifts being wrapped at a department store around the holidays? They're beautiful! You can achieve the same professional-looking results right in your own home. The recipient will feel special and loved when they take in hand your expertly wrapped, too-pretty-to-open, (well, almost), gift.

* Gather these items together:

* Gift wrap (themed for occasion or to the person)

* Scissors

* Tape (double-sided or other)

* Curling ribbon, bows, or fabric ribbon

* Gift tag or card

* Box

* A straight edge (optional)

* Flat surface (table, counter, or hard floor area)

Now you're ready to get started. Always remember to remove the price tags from your item. Often times, children's gifts have the prices printed directly onto the packaging. Just use a few whimsical or pretty stickers to cover the price.

Boxes are the obvious choice when wrapping a gift. Place your wrapping paper right side down onto your flat surface and unroll it. Placing the gift on the paper, make sure you have enough to cover the gift before making that first cut. You should have enough paper to go around the box one time, with just enough to fold the edge of the paper about 1/4-inch to 1/2-inch. The width of the paper should be enough to overlap on each side.

If you think you'd rather draw a straight line on your paper before cutting, use your ruler and do so. Some wrapping paper actually comes with dotted graph lines imprinted on the wrong side of the paper as cutting guides, which makes the job even quicker.

Make the required cut and then push the roll of wrapping paper aside. Put your boxed gift in the middle of the paper. Fold under one side of the paper (length-wise), just about 1/4 to 1/2-inch. This will be your finished edge. Working with the long sides of the paper, bring them both up snugly around your gift with the folded edge on top, and secure with tape.

For each end of the box, fold the corners in toward the middle. This forms a triangle of sorts. Fold over your straight end and pull it toward the top of the package. Tape this closed. Turn your wrapped gift right side up. For a professional touch, gently crease all the edges of the box using your thumb and forefinger.

Now it's time to get creative. Think "outside the box" for the final touches. You can use the much-loved curling ribbon or bows, or you can personalize the gift with unique touches all your own. For the fisherman in your life, use fishing line and lures (careful of those hooks!). The quilter will love a gift wrapped with fabric instead of paper wrap and adorned with small spools of thread strung together to look like a flower. Children will love gifts wrapped with just about anything, but add small toys like hot rod cars or princess tiaras attached with the ribbon. For the gardener, use jute twine around the gift and attach a new trowel or several packages of flower seeds. Always attach a gift card with the recipient's name.

Wine bags, gift bags, baskets, bowls, and even vases are great ideas for containing a gift in something other than a box. Use your imagination and create a unique gift for that special person in your life. They'll love that you took the time to do so!