Holiday gift wrap can be a bit of a waste. Don’t get me wrong, I think the presentation aspect is important – nothing’s more enticing than a beautifully wrapped gift. But, all too often, that gift wrap is made of bleached brand-new paper printed with inks that are far from green, and it just ends up in the trash afterward. Luckily, there are lots of options out there for the environmentally conscious.
If the kraft paper and raffia look isn’t your thing, check out these three amazing collections of eco-friendly holiday gift wrap: Amy Butler, Erin Ruth and my personal fave, Whimsy. It’s chic, it’s modern, it’s bound to make a huge impression – and it’s just begging for reuse. Save the scraps for handmade cards, decoupage projects, scrapbooking and other creative undertakings.
Here are a few other quick tips for holiday gift wrap that’s kind to the earth:
- Avoid wrapping paper with foil accents. Metallic and foil papers usually can’t be recycled, and in some recycling facilities, if they end up in the mix with other paper, they can ruin a whole batch, making it totally unusable.
- Put gifts in reusable bags, baskets or boxes. It’s classy, and it’s a whole other gift in itself. No worries about this sort of packaging ending up in the trash!
- Instead of bows, use ornaments, hair barrettes, brooches, key chains or other small decorative items that’ll get reused.
- Turn to nature for inspiration. Pinecones, branches, acorns and feathers can provide an unexpected decorative touch.
- While some people might think it’s an etiquette faux pas, I think asking friends and family for the unwanted used gift wrap after a gift-opening extravaganza is perfectly acceptable, unless of course they’re planning on reusing it themselves!
Some excellent tips on eco-friendly gift wrapping.
I always recycle wrapping paper. The scraps are useful for crafting as well.
DIY Christmas
http://madsilence.wordpress.co.....christmas/
~MadSilence
12/01/08 » 2:11 pm »
I’ve been eyeing Erin Ruth’s papers on etsy for awhile (d r o o l), but can’t justify shipping stuff in from the US. Luckily, we Canadians can find Pistachio’s stylish line of recycled-content, veggie-ink, wind-powered gift wraps at our local Chapters/Indigo bookstores. Pistachio have their own shops in the Toronto area: http://www.epistachio.com/.
12/01/08 » 11:04 pm »
How to Use Green Gift Wrap This Holiday Season | Live Earth
[...] recently highlighted some great quick tips for holiday gift [...]
12/02/08 » 1:52 pm »
I’ve been using newspaper and raffia with a homemade tag which I think makes the gift even better than using expensive wrapping paper with $6 ribbon! My aunt on the east coast just told be that instead of buying $5 medium shipping boxes she ordered a stack of boxes which includes tape and free 2 day shipping from http://www.UsedCardboardBoxes.com. We have family all over the place so wrapping and shipping becomes an expense that HAD to be reduced. What can I say times are tough but in this case we are saving money and saving mother earth =]
12/02/08 » 4:57 pm »
Thanks for those great tips, Ericka! I hadn’t heard about usedcardboardboxes.com- what a good idea!
12/02/08 » 5:08 pm »
Wow, what a great post on eco-friendly gift wrapping options. I used to just reuse paper but green wrapping paper is even better.
12/04/08 » 7:49 am »
Hello. I wanted to tell you what I do as gift boxes. I make origami boxes from scrap paper and just tie a simple silk bow on and some decor. usually i make all the tags myself from left over paper and I make decor from beads. like snowflakes and stars that people can then hang on their tree.
I often give handmade items for Christmas (my family has a long list I have to make for them in Greenland bead work) and they usually fit right in the boxes. I make 4 different sizes and they can use the boxes again and again.
Another is I sow pouches from Christmas fabric.
Also it can be nice to use news paper pages. crochet a nice decor and use few cones I pick on my walks.
yet another one is to scrap. or otherwise restyle a shoe box, because the lid is loose it can be used again
12/05/08 » 11:51 am »
Never forget the drama of ‘white’- I use plain white boxes (which is what most stores sell) tie them closed with iridescent or light Victorian print fabric ribbons, use a large fresh floral instead of a bow, and place one large ornament for point of focus (either ridding on top or hanging down with handmade name tag).
Happy Holidays!
http://www.aesabo.com
12/06/08 » 6:51 pm »
What a cool post on earth friendly holiday wrapping. I never thought of key chains or hair clips as gift accessories. I am SO gonna use the key chain thing. I am kind of a goof ball so my friends can definitely expect to see some dangling sponge bobs coming their way. LOL.
One thing I have been doing with wrapping paper for years is saving it. Then every years I create a holiday wall piece to go above my fire place. I basically just arrange the various papers in a colorful pattern and frame it. My peices are quite popular actually. Another idea is creating holiday placemats by laminating left over holiday paper. Hah!! that is my original thought (TM Tina lol).
Anyways – Thanks for the site. Oh – and thank you Erika for the UsedCardboardBoxes.com place. I am moving next month and they look like a good bet! I usually get my boxes from craigslist.com, but its getting harder and harder!
Happy Holidays!
Tina
12/22/08 » 5:04 pm »
Hi Stephanie,
Thanks for the great article! Just wanted to add another website as an aside to your endorsement for reusable gift wrapping. Please check out http://www.fabricwrapper.com. Rather than recycled paper, take it a step further and use reusable fabric gift bags, furoshiki or fabricwrappers for boxes. They are beautiful, simple, convenient, and very frugal in the long run if you use them over and over again within your family.
Warm Regards,
Steph
01/05/09 » 2:27 pm »
These will make nice compliments to my products. Thanks.
02/22/09 » 11:40 am »
Ecorations offers unique and stylish fabric gift bags – check them out at http://www.ecorations.com. The are unique designs, not your grandma’s pillow case bags. They are stylish, chic and great for reuse with the whole family. The new Santa Sack is a great addition.
09/08/09 » 11:58 am »
Great ideas! Thanks so much for sharing this! Really helpful to save money as well as the environment!
05/28/10 » 11:03 am »