Long Island 'Wrap Artist' and Gift Retailer Melinda Cantor Named Finalist in Scotch Brand Most Gifted Wrapper Contest, to Appear on NBC's 'Today in New York' Dec. 22nd

ISLIP, N.Y., Dec. 19, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Melinda Cantor, owner of Only You Gifts in Islip, NY will be featured on Today in New York, NBC on December 22^nd to demonstrate her wrapping skills that won 2^nd place in the 17^th Annual Scotch Brand Most Gifted Wrapper Contest earlier this month. In addition to showing wrapping skills and sharing tips on Today in New York, NBC, Cantor will also judge anchors Pat and Gus in a wrap off. This TV appearance is the second for Cantor in 2013, having appeared on Today in New York, NBC during the Easter season as well.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20131219/PH35808-a )
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20131219/PH35808-b )

Cantor was chosen among seven other finalists from across the nation who qualified for the contest based on a 3-minute video submission showcasing their wrapping abilities. The finalists competed in three rounds of wrapping, which included items like a small castle, a child's go-kart, and a 5-foot, two-person paddleboat. Her winning gift wrap involved creating a very large bow for the canopy of the paddleboat. For her 2^nd place win, Cantor received $2,500 from Scotch Brand and donated $500 of her winnings to the NY/LI ALS in memory of her mother.

"Competing in the Scotch Brand Most Gifted Wrapper Contest as a finalist was such a rush and it was thrilling to be able to participate in something I'm so passionate about," said Cantor. "I'm excited to join the Today in New York, NBC team to show viewers some gift wrapping tips they can utilize this holiday season."

Following her December 22^nd appearance on Today in New York, NBC, Cantor will be holding a gift wrapping fundraiser at Only You Gifts, 549 Main Street, Islip at 12 p.m. For a cash or check donation to ALS, all can bring their gifts to be wrapped by Cantor and her team using only the best papers and ribbons.

Cantor opened Only You Gifts in Long Island in 1998 after creating custom gifts in her garage for several years prior. Since its opening, Only You has produced thousands of unique engraved gifts, favors, custom invitations, and corporate promotional items for events such as births, christenings, weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, holidays, and more. All customization is done on-site and provides customers with endless options and fast turnaround.

"At Only You Gifts, we take personalized gifts to an entirely different level, and we consider it a privilege to create meaningful gifts that last far beyond the occasion," said Cantor. "A big part of the personalization is the gift wrap that it comes with."

For more information about Melinda Cantor, Only You Gifts, or the ALS gift wrapping fundraiser on December 22^nd, please visit http://www.onlyyougifts.com. Those interested in donating directly to the ALS fundraiser can visit http://webgny.alsa.org/goto/onlyyougifts.

3M, Scotch and Scotch Magic are trademarks of 3M. © 3M 2013.

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Melinda Cantor
631.277.2333

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