Gift Wrapping the Green Way

It is time for the holidays. Images of gaily-decorated Christmas trees spring to our minds. On their branches hang ornaments collected over the years by a loving family. Underneath the tree are the brightly wrapped Christmas gifts. They are in all sizes and shapes. They are decorated with bows, ribbons and gift tags.

Now let’s move that image forward to Christmas afternoon. The tree is still beautifully decorated, but the beautifully wrapped packages have all been undone to show their hidden treasures. All of that beautiful gift-wrapping has probably been thrown in a trash bag ready to be taken to the curb the next time the garbage truck is making its rounds.

Think of it. That gorgeous paper that may have been picked out specifically for your loved one, now crumpled into a ball in the bottom of a hefty bag. Many of these papers are treated with metallic enhancers. They have shiny coating added to them to make them display that quality of reflecting the Christmas lights. The papers we have loved during the holiday season are going to spend years in our landfills.

Finding alternatives to these papers may seem like such a small thing. It may seem like we are taking a Christmas tradition away. The reality is finding a more natural or green way to wrap and present our gifts can be just as enjoyable and decorative as the paper.

The first way to enjoy wrapping our gifts in a greener way is to use gift bags. These have come a long way. They come in an assortment of colors, sizes, themes and even sing to you now. The key to using a gift bag is not to throw it away. These gift bags can be reused year after year. Save the tissue paper that comes with the bags to reuse as well. Encourage the people you give gifts to reuse the bags as well. Make it a point to say the bag itself is a gift, that they should feel free to re-gift it rather than just toss it.

Another alternative to gift-wrap is to consider what is already around your house that you can re-purpose into gift-wrap. We have all heard the great example of using the Sunday funnies. While this option can leave newsprint on things, it does make a great wrapping for your presents. If you have moved recently use packing paper. It is a white sturdy paper that will wrap wonderfully and is very recyclable. White not your color for wrapping presents? Then get out the markers and crayons to decorate. Kids will love this opportunity to decorate their own wrapping paper.

Many craft stores and home stores sell rolls of paper as well. These rolls come in white and brown and are commonly referred to as craft paper. You may have used these rolls to cover tables at gatherings or such. This paper would also work to wrap gifts.

Consider wrapping the gift in something that the person receiving the gift can use. If you are giving kitchen gadgets to a person who loves to be in their kitchen, wrap their gift in a holiday dishtowel. If you are giving a gift to a woman who loves to sew, wrap your gift in holiday fabric tied with bright colored ribbons.

If you find that you have to have gift-wrap and that nothing else will do consider your purchases carefully. There are now on the market papers that are made with recycled material. Purchase these first before the other types. Try to reuse paper if at all possible. Sometimes it is just not possible when someone tears into that gift, but if you can do it. Larger pieces of gift-wrap can be ironed out and saved for another occasion.

There are also other ways to reuse gift-wrapping as well. Save it for the next time you are sending a package and need to fill in space. Used gift-wrap can be used when moving to wrap breakables. You can use used gift-wrap next year in the gift bags to replace the tissue paper.

Whatever method you use to make your gift-wrapping more green and natural always keep in mind that we are giving a gift to future generations. Take the greener route, even if it takes a bit longer and a bit more creativity.

Article Source: http://www.wahm-articles.com

Living Green is a great holiday gift to yourself, your family and to future generations. Find more tips at Natural From Home www.naturalfromhome.com. Visit Judith for your content needs at www.judithldavis.com

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