5 innovative ways to wrap gifts

Consider these innovative, alternative ways to wrap holiday gifts with items you have on hand.

If you have a roll of aluminium foil, it can make the perfect wrapping paper substitute for your holiday gifts. Its shiny, silver surface calls to mind glimmering tinsel and holiday lights. Experiment with highly smooth or highly crinkled effects by manipulating the foil with your hands.

If you're out of tin foil, waxed paper is another viable substitute for your wrapping paper needs. You may need to double up with two layers, but its gauzy, hazy look can mimic tissue paper or a light snow. Accent plain waxed paper with a bright red or green ribbon or bow for the perfect understated effect.

While plain newspaper can be a little generic, wrapping children's gifts in brightly coloured comic pages can create a fun and inventive twist. It's also an eco-friendly option.

If you happen to have a roll of wide white butcher paper on hand (or any large-format white paper), consider having your kids help you make custom wrapping paper for each gift. Break out some red and green markers or crayons, glue, and silver and gold glitter; then create unique wrapping paper for each gift and recipient.

For a more subdued effect, consider the time-honoured home stamping method of potato printing. Simply cut a couple of large potatoes in half and use Christmas cookie cutters to embed shapes like a Christmas tree, star, snowman or bell into the exposed potato. Next, cut off the exterior area so that only the holiday shape is exposed. With a stamping ink pad or plates of green and red paint, use your potato stampers to create a patterned or wallpapered effect on white or brown butcher paper.

If you run out of wrapping paper the night before Christmas, don't despair; use these five ideas to save the day and make your gifts stand out from the rest.