• Wrap it upbiscuit gift image by Adrian Hillman from Fotolia.com
  
  Homemade treats make thoughtful gifts for Christmas, birthdays or other occasions, and cute food packaging ideas make the gift even more special. When packaging your food, make sure the containers are clean, sanitary and non-toxic. Line the container with tissue paper for cleanliness and added color. Always choose a container that's appropriate for the type of food you're packaging.
  
  

Decorate a Box

• Purchase cardboard or wooden boxes in various colors and shapes, such as round, triangular, rectangular and heart-shaped. Decorate the box by painting a design or picture on the top and/or sides. Lightly draw your design in pencil, then paint it with acrylics. Another option is to glue items on the lid of the box; purchase glitter, beads, yarn, mosaic pieces and miniature dollhouse food at a craft store. Or, create your own items to glue onto the lid. Cut designs and shapes out of colored paper; try flowers, animals, hearts and holiday-themed cutouts.
  
  

Creative Bags

• Wrap your food gift in a bag. Use a simple, white bag and spiff it up with colorful bows. Add small kitchen tools, candy canes or sparkly pipe cleaners to the bow. Before placing the food in the bag, draw a design or picture with colored markers or pencils on the outside of the bag. Or use the pens to write funny words or phrases in a fancy script. Colored cellophane bags make cute food containers. They work especially well with oily or greasy foods. Choose a ribbon color that contrasts with the bag. Double up on the bags to create more interest, folding back the outer bag so the inner bag's color shows, and use two ribbon colors.
  
  

Creative Containers

• Different types of store-bought containers, ceramics or glassware make cute packaging for food. Use oversized coffee cups, soup mugs or crocks to store your gift. Add a bow to the handle, or twist some colorful pipe cleaners into fun shapes and poke them into the top of the container. Buy mason jars and cover the lid with colorful cloth or paper. Add your own homemade label to the jar. This can be done with your computer, label stock and a color printer, or by hand with label stock and colored marking pens. A wine glass or martini glass, dessert dish or candy dish creates a cute presentation. Wrap the glass in clear or colored cellophane, or leave it unwrapped. Line a metal tin with tissue paper, fill it with your treats, close the lid, and you'll have an easy, yet pretty, package for your food gift.