According to Use-Less-Stuff.com, Americans throw away five million additional tons of garbage in the weeks between Thanksgiving and New Year’s. Don’t be a part of this waste! Don’t be a part of it at all.
Whether you’re wrapping Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa or some other kind of present, it’s the quality of the wrap-job that counts, not the quantity of shiny paper and cellophane.
So give this a try: Save trees, save landfill space, save money. Tell yourself you are not allowed to buy any new wrapping paper or other gift-accessories this year. (That means no new ribbons, bows, or gift tags). Then add one other stipulation: every gift you give must inspire its recipient to tear into it.
Now that you’ve set yourself free from the bane of common gift wrap, it’s time to unleash your creative spirit upon your junk drawer, cabinet and garden.
Just about anything’s game when it comes to present-wrapping:
-Go for reusable cloth, bags, paper, old maps and boxes in lieu of new wrapping paper.
-Use old VHS and cassette tape as ribbon.
-Tie your packages with old holiday lights for a funky, found-art look.
-Make festive gift-top décor with re-used bells, whistles, fake holly or mistletoe, Pez dispensers, dreidels, small, ceramic figurines, gelt, and anything else you lay your eyes on in and around your home.
-For a rustic look, wrap gifts with brown paper bags. Skip scotch tape, and hold the bundle together with string or twine. As decoration, tie plant trimmings on top. Rosemary keeps its shape and fragrance even after it’s dried. Newspaper is another wrapping paper option if you don’t already have paper bags.
-SustainLane's Diana B. posted a really cool video demonstrating furoshiki, a traditional Japanese method for wrapping things in cloth and fastening with knots.
-SustainLane users had lots more ideas for reusing old newspapers, magazines, and posters.
If you’re not feeling inspired to create your own green gift-disguise, SustainLane reviewers recommend these reusable and recycled gift wrap options.
If you need a card, Mr. Elli Pooh giftcards, made from processed elephant dung, is always a hit. (No, they don’t smell!)
