That's a Wrap

I love wrapping beautiful packages with coordinating paper and ribbon! In years past, I would ignore the leftover wrapping paper (I couldn’t very well show up two years in a row with the same paper) I would set out to find the cutest, latest greatest pattern and matching accessories . . . sounds ridiculous I know, but I also know I’m not the only one out there with this little obsession! This year my packages will look a little different . . .. I am attempting to wrap green, not the color green, but the eco-friendly kind of green. Even though my gifts won’t make as big of a statement as in previous years - they will make less impact on the environment.

It is estimated that Americans throw away an additional 5 million tons of trash - 25% more than usual - between Thanksgiving and New Year's Eve. Much of the additional waste headed to the landfill during the holiday season comes in the form of gift-wrap and packaging. Good reused or reusable alternatives include:

* Old maps, sheet music or colorful ads from old magazines
* Baskets
* Reusable tins
* Scarves and handkerchiefs
* Leftover fabric or fabric gift bags
* Lightweight wallpaper
* Pages from a child's coloring book taped together
* Last year's holiday paper
* Pictures or advertisements from magazines and catalogs
* A plain box decorated with leftover glitter, paint, markers, etc.

No matter what, I promise I will not buy any new wrapping paper this year. I may dig into the rolls from years past, or I will get creative with the kids and deliver the prettiest presents ever!

I know I said I wouldn’t buy any new paper, but I reserve the right to buy natural fiber raffia ribbon in place of synthetic ribbons . . . I have to have ribbon, right?


Sources
http://www.thegreenguide.com/doc/117/wrapsody
http://www.kidbean.com/regiwr.html
http://www.ecologycenter.org/factsheets/holiday_tips.html
http://www.naturalpath.com/natural_living/use_free_and_eco_friendly_wrapping_paper_this_holiday_season
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/11/28/HOG4TFP1C.DTL
http://www.thegoodhuman.com/2007/11/26/use-free-and-eco-friendly-wrapping-paper-this-holiday-season/