Alas, I’ve gotten off to a later start than usual in getting my holiday act together. BUT, importantly, I’m doing my best not to stress. This time of year is supposed to be festive and jolly, after all. Festive! Jolly! Right on.

Well, the other night, I finally got around to wrapping some gifts. I totally admire those brilliant paper confectioners who transform their presents into visual feasts by using hand-printed paper (hell, they probably make their own!) and adding ephemera like seashells, pine cones, antique trinkets from the Marché aux Puces St-Ouen de Clignancourt—I exaggerate, slightly.

I, on the other hand, try to keep my wrapping modus operandi straightforward and simple. I basically take good quality wrapping paper and up the visual ante with colorful rolls of decorative Japanese tape that I bought at the Cooper-Hewitt Museum a few years ago.

Here is some of my recent handiwork:

I think my gift wrapping is bright but not gaudy. Minimal but still joyful. My next project? Writing holiday cards.  Bring it on!

P.S. I came across these offbeat wrapping papers from Cargo Collective and these elegant ones from Cynthia Rowley.  And here are some non-paper wrapping ideas.

Update on Nov. 8, 2013: Click here for some delightful ways to wrap with plain old craft paper.