If your presents aren't quite all wrapped and tucked under the tree, you're not alone. About a third of Americans wait until Dec. 23, some even later, to wrap their holiday gifts, according to a September 2005 survey commissioned by the makers of Scotch Brand tapes.

Why do we procrastinate? It seems like a simple job. Just cover the box with paper, stick on a bow and presto, one wrapped gift.

We procrastinate because it's not really that simple. Not everything comes in or will even fit into a box. Plus, that same survey revealed that only 19 percent of us consider ourselves very skilled at gift-wrapping.

That leaves a lot of wrapping-challenged people staring at a bunch of naked gifts this time of year. Especially when the gifts are large or odd-sized.

But there's help. If gift wrapping has you stumped, turn to the experts. Call the Scotch Brand Gift Wrapping Tips Hotline.

If they can make the tape that sticks the package together, they can certainly tell you how to make it happen.

Access the hotline by calling 1-877-872-6824.

You won't get an actual person to sympathize with your lack of finesse with paper and bows. But you'll hear pre-recorded tips and suggestions available 24/7 from now through 9 p.m. Christmas Day.

And frankly, if you haven't wrapped your gifts by then, it's too late. Better stick a bow on the bag and call it good.

Some of the topics are:

-- How to wrap large or odd-shaped items such as a jungle gym or even a car.

-- How to disguise small gifts such as jewelry.

-- How to cleverly package gift certificates or store gift cards.

-- How to improvise if you run out of wrapping paper, bows or other embellishments.

For more creative wrapping ideas and tips on how to disguise odd-sized objects, turn to the Internet.

Visit Martha Stewart's site, www.marthastewart.com, and when the holiday decorating option pops up, click on "Christmas decorating ideas."

For Scotch Brand tips, go to http://tinyurl.com/w4xwx, click on "Home & Office" then "transparent tapes" for wrapping and shipping advice. Just click again on the plaid gift box.

Better Homes and Gardens, www.bhg.com, has plenty of practical gift wrapping advice under "Holidays."

Here are some ideas and tips gleaned from the experts to get you started:

-- Invest in quality: Tissue weight paper handles like tissue -- poorly. Heavyweight paper is much easier to crease and fold without tearing.

Like big poofy bows? Use wire-edge ribbon and you'll be able to manipulate where you want it and it'll stay put.

-- Gather your supplies: Put everything you'll need in one place or one box. Gather up gift tags, bows and ribbons, cellophane tape, gift bags, boxes, wrapping paper, scissors, tissue paper, pencils and pens.

-- Clear a space: Clean off the dining table. Wrapping is easier, and turns out neater, if you work on a hard surface.

Give yourself plenty of room to unroll the paper. Otherwise you'll be fighting it constantly and the paper always wins -- and tears.

-- Buy, reuse boxes: If you can, wrap as many of your gifts in a box as possible. It's easier and faster. (Don't tape the box closed. It tears the box and is frustrating to open.)

If you have a sturdy box with a removable lid, consider wrapping the top and bottom separately. Use ribbon to hold them closed and tie a simple shoelace-style bow on top.

After the gifts are opened, gather these boxes up and reuse them next year.

-- Easy measuring: Cut a 4- to 5-foot piece of twine to use as a tape measure. Wrap the twine around the gift box, then use the measurement to mark and cut the paper.

Cut the paper just 2 or 3 inches larger than the package. Otherwise, it's likely to bunch up and won't make a neat edge.

-- Forget the bow: Try a pretty ribbon simply wrapped around and taped flat, a sturdy garland wound 'round and 'round, or, do as the Japanese do and tie it up in fabric (Christmas-print kitchen towels work well).

Candy canes hot glued in place add a tasty and decorative finishing touch.

* Reporter Loretto J. Hulse can be reached at 582-1513 or via e-mail at lhulse@tricityherald.com.