We all try to do what's best for the environment in our own little ways... and then the holidays come around. Between Thanksgiving and New Year's, an estimated 25% more trash is generated by Americans than any other time of year. Yikes.
One of the big offenders this time of year? Wrapping paper. Because of how it is made, wrapping paper is typically not recycling-friendly, meaning it ends up at the landfill. Double yikes.
But with a little creativity, you can wrap presents in an eco-friendly way, still making them extra special and beautiful. Here are 5 ideas on how to wrap presents without using traditional wrapping paper:
1. Paper bag creations
Our grocery store has returned to paper bags, so I bring those home whenever I forget my reusable shopping bags (more than I care to admit). These make excellent recyclable wrapping paper and kids can personalize them with stamps, drawings and stickers to make them even more festive. Or add a sprig from a spruce or holly to give it a more classy feel. They never have to know that wrap was once used to carry your milk and eggs. Bonus: You don't even need a gift tag. Just write the recipient's name right on the wrapping.
 Detry26 | Canva |
2. Jar and tin upcycles
Repurposed jars or tins are perfect for small gifts to hide what's inside. Kids can decorate the outside with paint so the recipient can re-use the jar as a vase or to hold items like pencils. Or find a cool vintage tin to use to hold a gift from a local secondhand shop.
Core Lens | Canva |
3. The fabulous Furoshiki technique
Use fabric scraps or old scarves to wrap your gifts. This method, inspired by the Japanese Furoshiki technique, involves folding and tying the fabric in a decorative way. We love the idea of doing this with a dish towel that could double as a second gift. There are lots of TikTok videos showing how to do this simple and unique technique.
 Magic Media | Canva |
4. Retro wrap
Pages from old newspapers, comic books, or magazines can be excellent for wrapping. It’s a great way to recycle, and you can choose pages with interesting graphics or texts for a unique look. For added flair, tie with twine or ribbon.
What about gift tags?
We like using last year's holiday cards received from friends and family for this year's gift tags.
How to do it: Cut off the front of any holiday cards you received in the previous year. The card's decorative front will spruce up your gift, and you can write the recipient's name on the blank side.
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5. Block box surprise
Talk about an out-of-the-box idea! This also doubles as a way to keep the kids entertained for a few hours. Ask them to build a box out of building blocks to fit around a gift. The recipient will have to break in to get at what's inside.
By using a little ingenuity to wrap up gifts, we're not just giving presents, we're also giving the planet a little holiday cheer. Happy holidays!
