Friday, November 30th, 2007...4:55 pm
Holiday Wrapping Without Paper
In my earlier post about how to have a green Christmas, I mentioned that I was going to be using Wal-Mart’s reusable bags as my go-to holiday wrapping this year. Well, I’d like to revise that statement a bit and offer up additional wrapping alternatives that don’t involve traditional wrapping means.
I wrapped one of my daughter’s Christmas presents in what looks like regular old snowman-themed paper, but it’s actually a flannel sheet, part of a set of flannel sheets I’m giving her as a present (I don’t mind telling her that part of the present). Here, I’ve used the flat sheet to wrap the present. (In case you’re wondering about this, I was going to wash the sheets before I used them the first time anyway, so who cares if they get a little dirty sitting under the tree.) And the ribbon I’ve used? Left over from a present someone had received in the past and which I’d saved.
If you can’t get to Wal-Mart to get a reusable bag, why not create your own reusable bag as a gift bag. Get plain canvas bags from a craft store, and have your kids decorate them to their heart’s delight. Then place the presents inside. (This would be a great way to package your child’s gift to family members.) Similarly, you can use one of those brown paper grocery bags that you get at the supermarket (if you’re still taking bags from the supermarket), and have your child decorate that bag as his or her wrapping.
Can you use part of a present as part of your wrapping–like I did with the flannel sheet above? You can take a sweater, scarf or another article of clothing that you’re giving someone, and tuck other gifts inside. Use recycled ribbon like I did, from a former present, to finish off the gift. Or if you haven’t saved any ribbon, visit a local thrift shop to see if they have any “vintage” rolls of ribbon that you can reuse this Christmas.
If you really can’t do without traditionally wrapped gifts, at least consider using wrapping paper made from recycled paper. This Green Guide story on “green wrap” offers ideas on where you can find these kinds of holiday supplies.
I’m sure there are plenty of other ways to go wrapping-free this holiday season, and if you’ve got suggestions, I’d love to hear them. Better yet, if you’ve blogged about this topic and have posted a picture of greenly wrapped gifts, include a link. I’d love to see how your green and creative wrapping techniques come to life.
Well, it’s not wrapping free, but I do re-use everything I can and I insist on using small, even tiny, scraps of wrapping materials. Here’s a taste of it. http://compostermom.blogspot.com/2006/12/its-not-easy-being-green-at-christmas.html
I really liked your tip about the Walmart bags and suggested the same to my sister, who works at Whole Foods (with its line of bags).
I do enjoy my pretty gift wrap, but since I reuse the bags and buy everything at yard sales, I figure that’s recycling, too.
If you get the newspaper or know someone who does, save the comics sections and use those for your wrapping. I did that one year and my ribbon and bow on each present were made of raffia that I was able to reuse later. After the presents are opened, recycle the comics paper.
I have fond memories of my grandmother using the comic section for the grandkid gifts and the rest of the newspaper for the family. My mother always got a gift wrapped with a recipe or homemaker thing, Dad had either the farm report or editorals, Grandpa got the sports. Each was an “extra” gift as she watched all year long for just the right article for each.
Thanks for the trip down memory lane.
Hi Leah!
That is some great stuff! I have used things like egg cartons and newspaper very often in my adult life! This year its just crazy to see how many people are buying reusable grocery bags as the vehicle for their presents! they give the gift in the reusable bag and then the person has the reusable grocery bag for the next year or two! its a great idea, killing two birds with one stone you might say!
Doug Lober
ReuseThisBag.com
An alternative to using the comics section of newspapers is the puzzle page. My dad was an avid crossword puzzler so that section was great as wrapping paper. You can even include the answer page inside the gift…
Why not use sturdy, lidded gift boxes (not like cheap shirt boxes from department stores)? I love lidded boxes, and they can easily be reused over and over, as can the ribbon used to tie them up. I know Ikea has (or used to) sets of small circular boxes in various colors, and I’ve used them for gifts. While the Ikea boxes aren’t super-high quality, they would definitely be good for girls, as they could be used as jewelry boxes afterwards, or for re-gifting.
I’m all for recycling and reusing, and I do as much as possible, but I think that part of the gift is the actual presentation, and (for me, at least) a Walmart bag just doesn’t fit in to that.
I have made some gift bags out of Christmas fabric with drawstrings. They can be reused over and over.