Wrapping paper is one of the most wasteful products. We do not need to cover our already over-packaged, unneeded products in a thin, heavily dyed paper. But that doesn’t mean we’re against the excitement and surprise of Christmas. So challenge yourself to try one of these waste reducing alternatives to wrapping paper this year.
- Tote bags – We have done a great job moving away from plastic and paper bags, but some of us are finding tons of extra tote bags lying around. Use this handy video to learn how to wrap presents with one of these tote bags.
- Newspaper – if you still get a wasteful newspaper delivered to your door, think about reusing it to wrap your gifts this year.
- Takeout menus – These are constantly being delivered to urban doorsteps, they are perfect wrapping alternatives to smaller gifts.
- Small food boxes – Mac & Cheese, jell-o, and other boxes make great gift boxes, and they’re good for a laugh or conversation starter too.
- Fabric – All you crafters have fabric lying around, throw together a quick bag to hide presents in.
- Don’t Wrap! (who needs the surprise anyway? The holidays are about spending time with loved ones, not presents.
- Other gifts – Are you giving towels, shirts, etc.? Try wrapping your secondary gift in one of those soft items.
- Just a bow – this is really nice on larger presents.
- Give an intangible gift – There are many non-profit organizations that will simply send an email to your gift recipient informing them a donation was made on their behalf.
- A tote bag – for those who haven’t converted from plastic bags yet, this can be a double-whammy of a green gift.
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I’m one of those people who use newspaper for gift wrapping. This saves a lot of paper and money.
Good list! I’ve recycled boxes from other products before. Good for a decent laugh.
This year I made several smallish reversable cloth bags, with draw strings. Think something about 9x13x4 inches is even more versitile.
I just use shopping paper bags and do some doodles on it
For something a bit nicer – you could do what my friend and I do. We have a box (a nice one) that we have used for years and years, giving it back and forth to each other. It is ‘the birthday box’.
Another idea is to just get a nice ribbon, and tie it around the present, whatever it is, with no paper. If it is a fabric ribbon it is reusable, over and over and over again. Just make sure that you tell people it is to re-use, or they might throw it in the bin!