With the reality of current environmental challenges, I have begun to make more mindful choices about purchases and how I do things, trying to mitigate my personal impact on our beloved planet as best I can. With gift-giving and all its embellishments now officially on the calendar, I began to wonder if there was a way I could diminish the pile of wrapping paper, gift boxes, and ribbon that annually make the trek from my house to the landfill. Here are some alternatives I have either used in the past or came across in my research and daydreaming.
Gift Bags
For me, Holiday gift bags are a perfect way to reduce the amount of debris after a round of gift opening and make for an easy wrap job. I find I can reuse the bags for many years, preferring to use either unbleached or recycled tissue paper in the wrapping process instead of taping the top edges closed. Packaging peanuts and shredded paper that I have saved from other gifts are great alternatives to tissue paper or filling out a large bag that conceals a much smaller gift. The final benefit, the bags fold up and are easy to store for future use!
Newspaper and More
Once upon a time, newspaper was an easy go-to if something needed to be wrapped in a traditional box. Add some ribbon and a card, and the appearance would rival any conventional wrap job. Now I may use old wrapping paper that I have recycled (not everyone impatiently rips the wrapping paper off a gift, some us savor the anticipation as we slowly peel the tape carefully up and literally unwrap the item), outdated maps and calendars, or colorful magazine pictures. Again, add some ribbon or a bow, and you have a beautiful gift. Bonus points to me if I can match the ‘wrapping’ paper to the present or individual in some personal way, say tickets to an event wrapped in a map of the area.
Totes
I don’t know about you, but I have an abundance of reusable totes. Using one of these to wrap a gift in is akin to giving two gifts in one. The most challenging aspect of receiving a tote for me is remembering to take it with me when shopping, thus my overflowing inventory of reusable totes. Along those same lines are the merchandise bags from some stores, particularly the plain white or brown paper ones. Add some tissue paper, tie the handles together with a bit of ribbon, and you have an instant gift bag.
Everyday Containers
Other alternatives to gift wrap are bags made of fabric, mesh, or hemp, as well as baskets and tins. I love the added texture and dimension the fabric gives to the appearance of the gift and how easy it is to use. Most of the bags have drawstring openings, and for those that don’t, I use a bit of ribbon for the closure, gathering the material together at the opening and securing it. In repurposing baskets and tins, adding some ribbon or tissue paper makes for a unique and festive package.
One suggestion I came across recently that I am looking forward to trying is clay flower pots. Purchasing the basic terra cotta allows you to personalize the ‘wrapping’ with markers or paint as you wish. Alternatively, simply buying a pot that is already glazed can make for a spectacular statement with little effort. Just invert the dish used to collect water on which the pot sits and use it as a lid, concealing the gift inside. Secure with ribbon, twine, or raffia.
Finishing Touches
Finally, the icing on the present. Beautiful, colorful ribbon. I had quit using it because of my environmental concerns but missed the finished look it brings to a gift. If you want to continue putting that final touch on your packages, fabric ribbon and old scarves are lovely options and may be reused. They can be tied in bows or wrapped around the package and, depending on the size of the package and width of the ribbon, may reduce the need to use tape.
There are so many ways we impact the environment in our everyday actions, and change is difficult. I get it. It is a challenge to do things differently, to not be on autopilot. But I believe even small changes like how gifts are wrapped are important. Start with one gift at Christmas this year if this seems overwhelming, and challenge others to do the same. Because the reality is if we each do a little, we all do a lot.
Wishing everyone much joy this holiday season!