• Turn stationary paper into gift tags.gift boxes.christmas gifts. image by L. Shat from Fotolia.com
  
  You want the presentation of your gift to show all the time and thought you put into choosing just the right gift for your loved one. This means choosing the right wrapping paper, adding a decorative bow and a gift tag. Make your gift presentation extra special with a handmade gift tag.
  
  

Construction Paper Cutouts

• Create simple gift tags out of construction paper. For winter gift giving, cut out the shape of mittens and socks from construction paper and write "To" and From" on each one. To add a bit of creativity, use craft glue to attach little buttons to the mittens or white stuffing to the tops of the socks. Attach the handmade gift tag to the present with tape. You can also use a hole puncher to make a little hole in the corner of each gift tag; then use ribbon or twine to tie the tag to the present. Use construction paper to make gift tags for all seasons: cut out hearts for Valentine's Day, Christmas trees and candy canes for Christmas, bunnies and eggs for Easter, pumpkins and bats for Halloween, birthday cakes and cupcakes for birthdays, and flowers for spring and summer celebrations.
  
  

Felt Pouches

• To add a little refinement and softness to your handmade gift tags, use felt instead of construction paper. Felt pouches work for any gift-giving occasion. Cut two pieces of felt in the same desired size and shape. Depending on your skill level, you can hand-sew, machine-sew or glue the felt together using fabric glue. Using craft glue, write the recipient's first initial on the front of the pouch. Next, lay pieces of yarn on top of the glue. You can also use glitter. To attach the gift tag to the present, use a needle to run a piece of thread through the corner of the gift tag so you can tie the tag to the present. Add an extra surprise by slipping a small piece of candy into the pouch. You can also use felt to cut out fun shapes for gift tags.
  
  

Photograph Gift Tags

• Instead of writing the recipient's name or initials on the gift tag, use a photograph of the person. For a flower gift tag, cut the petals out of construction paper or felt. Use bright colors to celebrate birthdays in the spring or summer. For Christmas, use red felt so the flowers resemble poinsettias. Cut out the face of the recipient in the shape of a circle and use it as the center of the flower. Use craft glue to put the pieces together. For a simpler photograph gift tag, cut strips of felt or construction paper and glue a border on the photograph. Attach the gift tag using either tape or ribbon.
  
  

Embellishments

• Whether you use construction paper, felt or photographs, you can make your handmade gift tags stand out by adding embellishments such as glitter, buttons, beads, mini-pinecones, rhinestones, ribbons, pipe cleaners or tin foil. You can also use sprigs of baby's breath, boxwood or bunches of millinery berries.