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Gift Wrap Ideas from Matthew Mead

Vinatge wares to dress your fresh-from-the-oven treats

by Matthew Mead

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Credit: Matthew Mead

Pass the good cheer -- cookies, brownies, and other baked goods make delightful seasonal gifts, especially when you wrap them yourself in homey antique tinware.

Credit: Matthew Mead

Make the season bright -- dress your fresh-from-the-oven treats in festive vintage wares.

I love old metal tins, and hunting for them at thrift and antiques shops is an easy and inexpensive way to get into the spirit of the season. Here's how you can turn a serendipitous find into the perfect setting for your favorite baked goods, to give or to keep.

1. Line the tin with parchment paper.

2. Nestle one layer of cookies or a leaning stack of brownies inside the lined tin.

3. Cover or wrap carefully with more parchment paper and tie with red-and-white baking twine or a pretty narrow ribbon for a touch of festive color.

4. Attach a tag and deliver to friends and family. (Remember to carry baked goods gently.) Or, if you're shipping this present, get it wrapped and boxed by an expert for safest transport. Happy Holidays!

Antique Shops for Vintage Housewares

Antiques add richness to any home decor. Here are some of Matthew Mead's favorite places to shop for vintage housewares.

ANTIQUES USA, Route 1, Arundel/Kennebunk, ME 800-872-1114, 207-985-7766; antiquesusamaine.com

YORK ANTIQUES GALLERY, Route 1, York, ME 207-363-5002; yorkantiquesgallery.com

WHITE HOME COLLECTIONS, 9 Greenville Road, Wilton, NH 603-654-7363; whitehomecollections.net

CONCORD ANTIQUE GALLERY, 97 Storrs St., Concord, NH 603-225-2070; concordantiquegallery.com

VERMONT ANTIQUE MALL, Quechee Gorge Village 5573 Woodstock Road, Quechee, VT 800-438-5565, 802-295-1550; quecheegorge.com/antiques.html

STONE HOUSE ANTIQUES CENTER, 557 Route 103 South, Chester, VT 802-875-4477

WHITE ELEPHANT SHOP, 32 Main St., Essex, MA 978-768-6901; whiteelephantshop.com

L&E REID ANTIQUES, 11 Main St., New Preston, CT 860-868-2000; reidantiques.com

DAWN HILL ANTIQUES, 11 Main St., New Preston, CT 860-868-0066; dawnhillantiques.com

VILLAGE ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES, 177B Danielson Pike, North Scituate, RI 401-647-7780

Click here to read about Matthew Mead's 2007 holiday decorating ideas and to download his charming gift tags. Plus: Look for Matthew Mead's new book, Entertaining Simple (John Wiley & Sons; $24.95), in stores this season. For additional ideas for decorating and entertaining, go to: matthewmeadstyle.com