With a combination of inventive wrapping designs, inspiring personal essays, and step-by-step techniques, Megumi Inouye invites readers to transform the act of wrapping into a gratitude practice. Drawing on the gift-giving traditions of her Japanese heritage, Inouye explores how the act of giving a thoughtfully wrapped gift can be a creative, caring act for both the giver and the receiver. Using recycled and repurposed materials, Inouye's approach inspires readers to think intentionally about the presentation of every gift, whether it's a tip for an unseen hotel housekeeper, a simple gift of fresh fruit for a neighbor, or a special birthday gift for a beloved family member. Detailed step-by-step photos teach Inouye's artful approach to every aspect of wrapping-including tape-free folding, paper and fabric bows, clever message tags, and one-of-a-kind approaches for odd-shaped items-and guide readers in creating their own unique gift presentations. AUTHOR: Megumi Inouye is a gift wrapping and packaging artist. Known for her sustainable wrapping designs and creative innovations, she encourages repurposing, utilizing everyday things around us and using organic and recyclable items. She attributes her passion for gift wrapping to her Japanese heritage and the cultural values that underlie the meaning behind the art of giving. Her work has been featured on the Ellen DeGeneres Show and in Yahoo! Lifestyle, American Craft Magazine, and the San Francisco Chronicle. Megumi splits her time between San Francisco and Sonoma in Northern CA. You can find her online at giftwrapbymegumi.com. SELLING POINTS: . Unique perspective on gift-giving and wrapping. Megumi Inouye shares her Japanese-inspired philosophy of gift wrapping as a vehicle for expressing intention and gratitude and a mindfulness practice that elevates everyday interactions and exchanges, and deepens the connections with others . Features original designs and creative techniques. With an emphasis on using repurposed and recycled materials, Inyoue showcases inventive techniques for creating unique wrappings from old sewing patterns, bows from repurposed maps and envelopes, and cards using repurposed flyers, along with clever folding techniques that require no tape . Includes short reflective essays on the practice of gift-giving. Drawing from her personal experiences with gift-giving and the traditions of Japanese gift-giving, Inyoue's essays highlights how the act of wrapping itself can be a transformative experience for the giver and imbue even the smallest of gifts with profound meaning and gratitude