Gift wrapping can cost a bomb so I usually buy a 100-sheet pack of glossy gold cellophane from the local florist wholesaler which is perfect for birthday and Christmas gifts.

But there are heaps of materials around your home which can wrap - or at least contain - your gifts (temporarily if you really must have the ”wrapping” back). What about:

1. Road map - highlight the towns they’ve travelled to

2. Magazine cover - get ‘em wondering what are the 10 ways you can please a woman?!

3. Calendar - whether it’s a cheesy pin-up or a cutesy puppy pic, they’re usually large enough to do the trick

4. Takeaway menu - fun idea for your favourite pizza/Chinese/Thai  takeaway food fan,  even wittier if it’s wrapping the latest Nigella Lawson/Gordon Ramsay/Stephanie Alexander cookbook

5. Bed valance/duvet cover- its sheer size can hold a very large present without using sheets and sheets of wrapping paper…

6. Shoebox - hopefully they won’t be expecting a pair of Manolo Blahniks inside - better use your EasySteps one to reduce expectations…

7. Tablecloth - again, this is nice and large and looks great tied up with some raffia string and is ideal for homeware items

8. Newspaper - broadsheets are best as they’re bigger. Try and pick a page with the juiciest gossip

9. Old Globite suitcase - most people seem to have one of these in the garage or attic somewhere. It’s a cute container for guidebooks, travel items etc if you’re giving a gift to a friend or family member about to go off on a long holiday somewhere

10. Cooler bag - ideal for that bottle of chilled champagne or pre-made, frozen home-cooked meals.

I’ve banged on before about knowing where to save money when gift shopping (I prefer to buy my gift wrapping paper in bulk), but I think the best innovative, environmentally friendly gift wrap ideas have something in common with the gift or its category, and often, can even make up part of the gift itself.

Saving on having to pay for wrapping also particularly appeals to the earth signs (Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn) for financial reasons, the greenies (Aquarius) so they can save the earth, the more-inventive ones so they can show off what clever clogs they are (Gemini) and also, let’s face it, the plain old lazy lot who want to waste as little time gift wrapping as possible (Aries, Sagittarius).

For example, for a kitchen tea gift, wrap it in a teatowel, a tablecloth, a table runner or slide it inside an oven mitt.

For a baby gift, tie up your gifts inside a muslin swaddling cloth, an embroidered blanket or slip it inside a rolled-up romper suit.

Dealing with a fashion fan? Put their shirt/sweater/jewellery etc inside a glamour-brand shoebox, a hatbox, a Tiffany box (that’ll do their head in!) or wrap it inside a scarf.

For a car “nut”, why not slip their present into a rolled up windscreen shade or car seat cover.

Young kids actually often prefer the box to the gift itself but why not place whatever you’re giving them in a cute toy box or stacking cube?

Know a geek? Why not give them some new software, snugly presented in a sexy laptop sleeve.

Pet owners might be thrilled to see little toys for their Fido, nestled within a doggie doona.

Obviously there are many more ways you could present your gift than in traditional gift wrapping paper. What are some non-traditional gift wrapping ideas you’d suggest?