Bermudians have got the art of giving in style all wrapped up.

Folks are dropping dull traditional holly and poinsettia wrapping paper for something which will stand out under the Christmas tree.

Peter Richold, owner of All Wrapped Up in Washington Mall, said: "One man came in last week and was here for about an half-an-hour or 45 minutes selecting paper and bows,'' he recalled. "People are definitely becoming more sophisticated about wrapping presents.

"Business has been very brisk.'' Kristi Grayston, of Pulp and Circumstance in the Old Cellar Lane, echoed Mr.

Richold's feeling that exotic gift wrap was in vogue this holiday season.

"People are far more interested in how their gifts look,'' she said.

For Christmas 1998, Mr. Richold said festive gift bags as well as natural or foil wrapping paper were very popular.

"Most of the paper this year is either natural or foil,'' he explained. "A lot of people are going into gift bags, especially if they have something small to wrap. They use coordinating tissue paper with the bags.

"People have also been asking for the decorated gift boxes.'' Over at Pulp and Circumstance, Ms Grayston said their selection of Christmas foil wrapping paper was flying off the shelves.

"We carry wrapping paper by the sheets and have over 70 styles, everything from traditional red and green paper to abstract to hot pink and steel blue paper,'' she explained. "But the foils have gone the fastest.'' And when it comes to topping your presents off, the sky is the limit.

"There is the natural recycled bow and curly streamers,'' Mr. Richold pointed out. "We have a star burst which are good for small gifts, they are fun and sparkly.

And more and more people are getting into the wired ribbon.'' But Mr. Richold recommended saving the elaborate wrapping for those who will appreciate the time and effort.

"For children, I suggest using generic paper because they don't really pay much attention to wrapping paper. They just want to rip it open and get to what's inside.'' If you want to create a special look for children's gifts, but don't want to spend a fortune on wrapping paper that will be torn to shreds in two seconds, use the coloured comics page from The Mid-Ocean News .

Children may actually spend a second-or-two looking at the paper in hopes of finding their favourite comic.

Mr. Richold said plain-brown or white paper could be jazzed up by using a simple stamp and ink pad.

"If someone has some stamps they can stamp some patterns on plain paper,'' he explained. "Kids can get in on the fun too and use their stamps.

Mr. Richold also had some advice for gift-givers on how to wrap the perfect present.

"With this type of paper, people need to take their time wrapping,'' he said.

"Use scotch tape and don't cut the paper too short.

"Play some relaxing music while doing it and grab a glass of wine.'' And when you give your works of art to your loved ones or friends, don't be surprised if they refuse to open their gift.

"Some people don't want to open the packages because they are so pretty,'' Mr. Richold chuckled.

Those who want to get their gifts wrapped beautifully and support a good cause at the same time, will want to take advantage of this weekend's charity gift wrapping session.

The SPCA and the Bermuda All Breed Club will be wrapping gifts for charity with paper and ribbon from Pulp and Circumstance in the Old Cellar Lane tomorrow, (December 19) from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Photos by David Skinner ALL THAT GLITTERS -- From recycled newsprint, like The Mid-Ocean News' coloured comics, to high-brow foils and ribbons, this year's gift-giving crowd is making a special effort to put presents with presence under the Christmas tree. Environmentally-friendly wrapping paper and gift bags are also proving popular.