As Christmas approaches, I really look forward to that time at the end of the day, when all of my work is done and I can take some time to wrap some gifts. Sometimes I can find a holiday movie on TV, or I’ll turn on some music, and I’ll set down on the living room floor with my stamps and ink pads, kraft paper, bits of ribbon and start wrapping.
While I usually buy a few gift bags and some tissue paper (I found some at Indigo printed on recycled paper this year!), I find I can wrap most of my gifts with materials I’ve saved over the year. (So yes, if you gave me a gift in a bag, you may see that bag again one day.) My family has always been a bit thrifty this way, and I’m sure we’re not the only ones.
Here are a few ways you can wrap gifts a little greener (and save some money too):
- Cut the front flap from holiday cards and use them as gift cards. (You can even cut shapes out of the card and use it for a tag)
- Use kraft paper, an uncoated paper that’s often made with recycled paper. It’s sold in big rolls in post offices and office supply stores. I love to decorate kraft paper with stamps — but that’s because I can’t draw!
- Wrap gifts in newsprint and add some pretty ribbon (perhaps a piece you’ve saved from another gift!). If you don’t like the look of newspaper, use it to hide your gift, but top with a layer of tissue paper, or even decorated plain paper.
- Reuse gift bags. We get some gift bags at Homemakers that have labels and stickers on them, but I collect these and paste decorative paper over the label.
- Make a reusable shopping bag your gift bag. Even plain organic cotton bags and string bags can look nice paired with some pretty ribbon! Another reuseable container: plant pots!
- Save boxes from the recycling bin. Depending on the gift, it could be funny to receive a lovely pair of slippers inside a cereal box!
- Use novel packaging. Two years ago I received a small carpet for my sailboat. It was rolled up and shoved into a tall boot; the mating boot was shoved onto the top, and the two were sealed with tape and a lot of ribbon. Needless to say it was good for a laugh! (And I gave the boots back.)
Greener gift wrapping
And here’s a cute video showing how to use a paper bag to wrap a gift! (Sorry, I can’t embed it here at the moment.)
How do you wrap green (and save a little money)?
