As the holidays get closer, it’s time to start thinking about that long list of gifts that need to be purchased and wrapped. While wrapping paper is the most traditional way to present gifts, think about alternatives that are more interesting as well as environmentally resourceful. No doubt there may be a few things under the tree in wrapping paper, as there’s nothing better than watching a small child rip through the paper to get at their gift. However, you may consider trying a few of these ideas as well and see how your gift recipients respond. It will hopefully be with delight!
For those who are looking to recycle their wrapping paper, please keep in mind that anything with glitter or metallic finishes cannot be recycled, so choose accordingly. It’s also best to remove all tape and ribbons, as these will prevent your paper from being recycled. This isn’t going to save our trash/landfill problems overnight, but small changes like reducing packaging are certainly a start.
It’s a Wrap!—Great Ideas for Unexpected Gift Wrapping
Baskets are an easy and inexpensive way to share a special gift. They can be purchased from most Thrift and Goodwill stores for a dollar and you can feel good about upcycling products instead of using raw materials to present your gifts this year. The recipient even gets a secondary gift to hopefully reuse or give away as you did.
Furoshiki is a traditional Japanese cloth-folding technique that allows you to wrap objects of various shapes and sizes in a single piece of cloth. YouTube videos abound to learn the technique, and your gifts will be both eye-catching and environmentally sound. Add a small card letting your recipient know about furoshiki so that they too might reuse the cloth in the same fashion. It’s easy to purchase different sized cloths online at big giants like Amazon as well as smaller Etsy shops.
Reusable Sacks are another great option, as they can be utilized year after year. You can opt for a holiday-themed design or just something pretty that can be reused for any time.
Old maps are an inspired way to keep gifts looking interesting. This idea doesn’t have to be reserved for the holidays, as it’s appropriate for any birthday or present-giving occasion.
Whatever you choose to do, we wish you a joyous holiday season!
