Doug Alves Crowned America's Most Gifted Wrapper; Wins $10,000 Grand Prize and Rides Home in the Vespa LX Scooter He Wrapped in the Ninth Annual Scotch Brand Most Gifted Wrapper Contest

Amid throngs of holiday revelers at Rockefeller Center today,Alves used breathtaking speed, flair and style to out-wrap seven othergift-wrapping experts in the ninth annual Scotch Brand Most GiftedWrapper Contest, earning the ultimate holiday prize: $10,000 and thenew Vespa LX Scooter he wrapped during the competition. With bows,ribbons and Scotch brand Tape in hand, Alves and his worthycompetitors wrapped gifts of silver, Gold and diamonds - a silverSharp Aquos LCD TV, gold saxophone and brand new Vespa scooteraccompanied by a diamond-encrusted helmet - gifts selected in honor ofthe 75th "diamond" anniversary of Scotch Transparent Tape.

Alves, who dedicated his big win to his mother on her 72ndbirthday, said: "I was just happy and proud to be able to go to NewYork to compete, knowing I had the tremendous support of my friendsand family."

The first runner-up, Tina Moore from Fayetteville, Ga., received a$2,500 cash prize. The other six contestants received smaller cashprizes as well. Contestants were judged on three criteria: appearance,technique and speed.

The judging panel consisted of experts in the art ofgift-wrapping, including Robin Cohen, president of Bow JestEnterprises in San Andreas, Calif.; Wanda Wen, co-founder of specialtypaper store Soolip in Los Angeles; John Saxtan, editor-in-chief ofGiftware News in Chicago; and Kristine Solomon, associate editor ofHome Magazine in New York City.

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