Tired of Christmas presents wrapped in that same old Santa-patterned paper with a red bow on top? Here's some great resources for easy and creative gift wrap that your family and friends will love.

• Simplify. Real Simple demonstrates how to create simply beautiful packages using solid colored paper and natural accents. A few easy touches -- like attaching a ribbon handle or using inexpensive foam stamps for decorative accents -- can give a humble brown lunch bag a real handmade warmth.
• Waste less. Concerned about the environmental impact of throwing away all that wadded-up wrapping paper? Try fabric wrap instead. Fabric is flexible -- which can be useful for odd-shaped gifts -- and it's durable enough for multi-year use. Sew your own fabric bags, or use a fabric square to try "furoshiki" (the Japanese art of cloth gift wrap).
• Don't sweat the large (or odd-shaped) stuff. Some things are just tricky to wrap. These tips help with wrapping bats, balls, and other unwieldy items. Smaller odd-shaped items would fit well in these pillow-shaped boxes, made from recycled cereal box cardboard. But if it's a large item, you may be more interested in this approach. After all, kids of all ages love treasure hunts!