When it comes to gift wrapping, do family and friends continually marvel at your imaginative handiwork? Are you able to turn even the oddest-shaped gift - such as a pair of skis or an oversized chair - into an exquisite showpiece? Think you can "out wrap" the pros who work in department stores? If so, then sharpen your scissors, unfurl your ribbon and pull out your handy tape dispenser. Now in its eighth year, The Scotch Brand Most Gifted Wrapper Contest, sponsored by 3M, will be held Friday, Dec. 3, 2004, in New York City's quintessential holiday locale: Rockefeller Center.

On this date, eight gift-wrapping contestants - four amateurs and four professionals - will compete for the $10,000 grand prize and the person crowned "America's Most Gifted Wrapper" for 2004 also will take home the items he/she wraps in the competition: brand new KitchenAid appliances and an assortment of other kitchen gadgets! The person who nominates the grand-prize winner will receive $1,000 as well!

So if you (or someone you know) have a gift for wrapping, it's time to "get cookin'" on an entry! To be considered for the Scotch Brand Most Gifted Wrapper Contest, describe in an essay of 100 words or less why the nominee has what it takes (i.e., lots of gift-wrapping experience, creativity and expertise) to be crowned "America's Most Gifted Wrapper." Be sure to include the following:

• Your name, home address, city, state, ZIP code, daytime phone number, fax number and e-mail address (if available).
• Nominee's name, home address, city, state, ZIP code, daytime phone number, fax number and e-mail address (if available).
• Whether the nominee is entering as a professional or amateur. (Anyone who currently or has previously earned income as a gift wrapper at a department store, specialty store, etc. is considered a professional.)

Entries must be received by Oct. 1, 2004, and can be submitted by mail, fax or e-mail to: Scotch Brand Most Gifted Wrapper Contest, c/o Hunter Public Relations, 41 Madison Ave., 5th Floor, New York, N.Y. 10010; fax: (212) 679-6607; e-mail: giftedwrapper@hunterpr.com. The eight gift wrapping finalists will be flown to New York City and receive a three-day, three-night all-expense paid trip in "The Big Apple" to compete in the Scotch Brand Most Gifted Wrapper Contest.

For a complete set of contest rules, send an e-mail to giftedwrapper@hunterpr.com or visit www.scotchtape.com.

About 3M -- A Global, Diversified Technology Company

Every day, 3M people find new ways to make amazing things happen. Wherever they are, whatever they do, the company's customers know they can rely on 3M to help make their lives better. 3M's brands include Scotch, Post-it, Scotchgard, Thinsulate, Scotch-Brite, Filtrete, Command and Vikuiti. Serving customers in more than 200 countries around the world, the company's 67,000 people use their expertise, technologies and global strength to lead in major markets including consumer and office; display and graphics; electronics and telecommunications; safety, security and protection services; health care; industrial and transportation. For more information, including the latest product and technology news, visit www.3M.com.

Scotch, Post-it, Scotchgard, Thinsulate, Scotch-Brite, Filtrete, Command and Vikuiti are trademarks of 3M.

Hunter Public Relations, New YorkAmy Coles, 212-679-6600, Ext. 221acoles@huntepr.com