10 ways to gift wrap a wine bottle

Wine is an appreciated gift for almost any occasion. Knowing how to properly gift wrap a bottle of wine can turn an easy gift into something much more personal and meaningful.

Sometimes a festive bow is all you need to make a bottle of wine ready for giving. For best results, pick velvet or wire-edged ribbon that will hold its shape. Then tie an elaborate rosette bow and affix it to the neck of the bottle of wine.

Furoshiki is a type of cloth used in Japan to wrap and carry presents. A beautiful silk furoshiki is a gift within itself, but all furoshikis can be tied around a bottle of wine. Most furoshiki come with instructions to help you wrap basic shapes and you can use rubber bands to make the process easier.

Set a bottle of wine onto several squares of contrasting tissue paper. Draw the points of the tissue paper together until they cover the wine bottle. Tie a ribbon around the neck of the bottle and fluff the edges of the tissue paper.

Use a unique tea towel and a thick piece of fabric ribbon, instead of tissue paper, to wrap a bottle of wine.

There are dozens of free wine label templates that can be customized on your computer to commemorate a special occasion or holiday. Simply find a label you love, print it out and tape it over the bottle's existing label.

For more elaborate gifts, place a few bottles of wine in a basket with a few appropriate food pairings, such as gourmet cheese or fruit.

An extra wine corkscrew is always a useful party gift. Buy an easy-to-use corkscrew and tie it to a bottle with a festive bow.

Cut the sleeve off of an old sweater and use it as a cozy wine sleeve for the bottle. Keep the sleeve in place by tying some coordinating yarn around the bottle's neck.

A large handmade gift tag with some information about the vineyard, food pairing suggestions, or other interesting details can dress up a bottle of wine. Make sure your gift tag is brightly coloured and appropriately festive. Simply tie it to the bottle.

Long and narrow gift bags made to fit a bottle of wine are sold at many retailers. If you purchase your wine locally, your wine shop might offer gift bags as well.

• Keep an assortment of gift bags and extra bottles of wine around your home. You'll always be ready with an impromptu and personal hostess gift.