Let's Wrap It Up...in Green

There's nothing quite like the sight of a pile of brightly wrapped and ribboned boxes waiting to be opened. But don't you feel just a little guilty when the paper and ribbons are torn away and then just tossed? What a waste.

My goal this holiday season is a fairly modest one--not to buy any new wrapping paper, gift bags, ribbons, bows or tags. Sounds harder than it is since I have a box of partly used rolls of paper and leftover bags of bows, ribbons and tags in my attic. But I also want to throw out as little wrapping material as possible. Let's consider some possibilities.

1. Gift bags. This is the one I consider a no-brainer. We have been using and reusing gift bags for years, especially since the kids figured out that "wrapping" by simply sticking something in a bag is way easier than trying to wrap an oddly shaped or soft object with paper. Easy, but it still counts.

2. Gifts wrapped in gifts. Examples are fleece gloves "wrapped" in a matching scarf; a new cookbook "wrapped" in an apron; a piece of clothing "wrapped" in a shawl or sarong; any gift "wrapped" in a cloth tote bag or offered in a basket.

3. Furoshiki. Otherwise known as Japanese fabric folding, this technique is basically origami with fabric instead of paper. You can buy special fabric for wrapping, but why not try using what you have in your house? Fabric remnants, large cloth napkins--any easy-to-fold fabric--will do. Of course the fabric can be reused year in and year out so it's a great green choice. Looks very cool too.

4. Eclectic wrapping material. My personal favorite in this group is old maps. I don't think we're the only family with 1967 Esso state maps tucked away in a closet. Maps are colorful and sturdy enough for wrapping, and knowing that they will be used (and reused) for a good purpose may help you convince your spouse/father/significant other to part with them. Other possibilities are paper from your mixed paper recycling bin (colorful), newspaper (comics are especially good), leftover wallpaper, and homemade cloth bags fashioned from old clothes or other fabric pieces.

5. Creative ribbons and garnishes. If you just can't give up ribbons, try wired fabric ribbon; it's sturdy, elegant, and is easy to save and reuse again. For pretty green highlights, try attaching natural decorations instead of ribbons--springs of berries, evergreens, shells, pinecones, and herbs like rosemary and thyme are lovely accents.

6. Recycling. If you do have wrapping materials to be discarded, know what can be recycled. John at Great Northern Recycling said that regular wrapping paper (but NOT foil paper), including pieces with basic Scotch tape, can be recycled curbside with mixed paper or tied up like newspapers. You cannot recycle ribbon, string, packing tape and duct tape because they jam the machines.

Next up: Green entertaining

By Beth Lovejoy