Your shopping is done, and something has been purchased for everyone on your list. But those objects aren't presents until they're wrapped up right: Slip them into boxes topped with sprigs of greenery, tie them with a great big bow, or hide jewels and other treasures inside cardboard containers disguised as lumps of coal. Sometimes gift boxes, like our charming bird-topped birch logs, become keepsakes all their own. But even just a bit of patterned or textured paper, thoughtfully folded, can transform any plain package into a truly sweet surprise.

In addition to gift wrap, you'll need a variety of other tools and materials. Our editors' picks will help you get professional-quality results. A self-healing cutting mat is essential when using a rotary cutter or a utility knife, as this mat protects surfaces, keeps blades from dulling, and resists wear. Double-sided tape: Indispensable for wrapping, this tape stays put and out of sight. A clear quilting ruler makes it easy to center patterns on paper or lines on a sheet of labels; the grid lets you double-check alignment. A rotary cutter can be used with a ruler to get quick, even cuts; swap out the blades to create decorative pinked and wavy edges. A T-square is a drafter's tool, available in 24- and 36-inch sizes, that helps make straight cuts across wide swaths of paper. Consider a bucket caddy (like the one pictured here) to corral all of your supplies on the go.

Have a lot of gifts to give this year? Assign each family member a different color paper, and you won't even need gift tags. This is a fun way for everyone to identify his or her presents. If you don't have enough material to color-code, try choosing a palette to unify the gifts you wrap—then vary the materials; everything you give will have your signature for the season.