Gift Wrapping? Think Outside The Box

This week in the "Deck The Halls" series, The Early Show helps you tackle the holiday chores with panache.

On Tuesday, creative consultant Daphne Shirley has some out-of-the ordinary ideas on gift wrapping.

The following are general tips to create enticing unforgettable wrapped gifts:

1. Color: Banish the red-and-green rule from your mind. Other colors combos work for the holiday season and monochromatic wrappings are stunning as well.
2. Look to nature for inspiration and supplies -- branches, wood, bark, greens, berries, and rocks can all add texture and visual interest.
3. Tie the wrap to the gift that's going inside it. Add a little intrigue and excitement by adorning your gift with a trinket or item related to the gift. For example, a collection of DVDs might be wrapped in bright yellow wrap with ticket ribbon and adorned with mini boxes of Raisinets, Twizzlers and Cracker Jacks.

   A gift for a princess might be wrapped in pink adorned with a tulle ribbon bow and wand. Keep in mind, ribbon doesn't necessarily need to be actual ribbon - tickets on a roll, wire, candy dots on paper, a strand of pearls, feather boas, even twine can all act as decorative embellishments.

4. Use the person's special interests as inspiration:

   A gift for a golfer could be wrapped with a mini green - Astroturf adorned with a golf ball atop a wooden tee punched into the box. The gift tag is a flag made out of paper affixed to a wooden skewer.

   A hunter's gift could be wrapped in camouflage and bright orange felt, adorned with a minature deer antler and some branches.

   Beach lovers may be enticed with a gift wrapped in blue paper (representing water) with sand made from sandpaper. Affix some colorful drink umbrellas and a few shells.

   And for the travel enthusiast, use maps (free from AAA if you are a member), which immediately connects a person with a favorite place. You can also add a small toy compass or a luggage tag.

5. Think outside the box--literally. There are many great vessels to hold gifts that are not baskets!!! Toolboxes, Styrofoam coolers, empty paint pails, nail aprons, hatboxes, birdhouses, galvanized pails that can be reused as wood holders or drink holders, wagons, hardhats, etc. The possibilities are endless.
6. Use eye-catching, innovative gift tags made from things you probably have around the house or can pick up very inexpensively. Dollar stores are fabulous. Inspiration is everywhere from paint chips at Home Depot, to fishing bobbers, burnt out Christmas tree light bulbs, mini terra cotta pots, toys, champagne corks…
7. Keep a gift-wrap closet/box. Similar to a gift closet, this is a place to store interesting wrap, ribbon and other supplies all year.