Ideas for Green Gift Wrap

There are many ways to be green when wrapping gifts.

Purchasing large amounts of paper gift wrap that is most likely going to be thrown away leads to huge waste. If you are seeking to "green" your life, consider some alternatives to store-bought gift wrapping the next time you have a gift-giving occasion, such as a birthday or holiday. You can even look at wrapping the present as a chance to express your creativity as well as make the recipient smile.

Reuse and Recycle

Any time you are given a gift in a gift bag or one that is wrapped in beautiful paper, keep the packaging. Have a space set aside in your laundry room or linen closet where you can stack the gift bags and folded wrapping paper. When you need to wrap a gift, you won't be tempted to run to the store for a new gift bag since you will already have one. Reusing an old gift bag or gift wrap can save you money and the planet from more trash.

Cloth

If you sew or enjoy working with fabric, then you probably have spare fabric pieces on hand. Consider wrapping a gift in a prettily-patterned fabric and tying it with a ribbon bow. Alternatively, consider using functional fabric options, such as a decorative sheet that you don't use, a pillowcase, a hand towel, a scarf or a funky vintage t-shirt; these items can become gifts additional to the one you are wrapping.

Paper

Newspaper is an easy alternative to gift wrap. Use the comics section for a kid or the movie ads for a film buff. Even shiny retail ads may make fun wrapping for a household present. Other paper ideas are children's artwork, junk mail, grocery bags and magazines. Raid your kitchen for colorful food boxes, such as those used to hold breakfast bars or cereal, as well as paper grocery sacks; decorate the paper and boxes with stamps, stickers or markers for a personal touch.

Glass and Other Containers

Save baby food bottles and jelly jars to use as gift packaging. These jars can be used as neat ways to hold jewelry or small presents. If desired, you can decorate the containers with paper and stickers or wrap them in ribbons. Additionally, any plastic containers, such as rice or pasta containers or plastic bins that aren't used anymore, can hold a gift. Metal tins that once held candy or mints make perfectly sized gift boxes for a pair of earrings, beads or a necklace.

References

• Simple Mom; Eco-Friendly and Green Gift Wrapping Ideas; November 3, 2010
• PlanetGreen.com; 12 Easy Green Alternatives To Wasteful Gift Wrap; Jaymi Heimbuch; December 15, 2008