Some wrapping paper gets torn off and binned. Some gets carefully peeled back because the person unwrapping it doesn't want to wreck it. The Schöner Schenken wrapping paper books by Coppenrath are firmly the second kind.

Each book holds ten sheets of Victorian vintage style paper, illustrated by German artist Barbara Behr, plus matching gift tags. They're printed in Germany, and the quality shows. The paper has weight to it. It folds crisply and takes tape without tearing.

Five books are in the gift wrap collection, each $39.99:

• Christmas — the obvious pick for the season
• Kaleidoscope — rich pattern work that suits any occasion
• I Love Blue — for the person in your life who owns nothing that isn't blue
• Toile de Jouy Floral — classic French-inspired scenes
• Woodland Floral — soft, natural, lovely for birthdays too

I think the smartest way to use these: keep the Christmas book for December and one of the others in the cupboard for the birthdays and thank-you gifts that pop up all year. Ten sheets per book means one purchase covers a lot of giving.

A wrapped gift in this paper looks like you made an effort. Because you did, just efficiently.