Glamorous Giving - Style Agents: Fashion Mission Accomplished - An original web series from Vaughan Mills

The holidays are upon us, and that means it's time to break out the wrapping paper and scissors. But what if the wrapping you put on a gift is part of the gift itself? Check out some of the fun and ingenious ideas the Style Agents have to take your gifts from drab to fab this year.

	Approach Gift Wrapping with their Personality in Mind Attach a Topper that Complements the Gift Find Fun & Unusual Wrapping Accessories at Art Stores like DeSerres

I love the holidays! I think I love giving gifts the most and I truly believe a well thought out gift, that is presented beautifully, speaks volumes. Since giving a gift is really about a thank you for friendship, taking the time to make a gift look beautiful is so important. When it comes to gift presentation and wrapping, I avoid traditional wrapping paper all together. I find the higher quality wraps too stiff to work with and the cheaper wraps tend to easily tear. If you are looking for a box to wrap a gift – stick to simple brown cardboard craft boxes (we found some at DeSerres Art Store), tie a fabric ribbon around the box and finish with a whimsical gift tag. I like this look so much. If you are organized and shop for all your gifts early, I recommend wrapping all of your gifts with this traditional look. When you collect them together under the tree, the elegant cohesive look will become a focal point of your décor. In addition to craft boxes, I like to wrap gifts in some sort of reusable vessel. For example, if there is a person on your list that loves cooking, place a selection of gourmet items into a pretty bowl or pot (try HomeSense for a huge selection) and wrap it with clear cello, finishing with a bow. Sounds simple? It is. Remember, during the holidays, whether you are putting together an outfit, decorating your space, or wrapping a gift, simplicity always equals elegance.	A beautifully wrapped package is almost as exciting as the gift itself – well maybe not quite, but it makes gift giving more exciting! When you have the proper tools, wrapping becomes less of a chore and actually becomes fun. Really! Double-sided tape and good scissors are obvious musts; glitter and feathers, while not necessities, definitely add pizzazz. First things first: decide whether you'll be wrapping individual styles for each recipient or going with an overall theme. While the former is a little more time consuming, it really makes for a thoughtful presentation to any gift. Choosing an overall colour scheme is an easy way to achieve cohesive holiday décor. Gift bags are, of course, easiest, but that doesn’t have to mean boring. Adding a boa or ribbon can take a simple bag to wow status. Finally, newspaper can be a fun, eco-chic alternative to store bought wrapping paper – just be sure that you use a box to protect the gift from ink stains. Grab a glass of bubbly, play some holiday tunes and give yourself an hour or two...you may find that you actually enjoy wrapping this year!