ALT-1 Eco Friendly Alternatives to Wrapping Paper
After spending time looking for the perfect gift, you want to make sure it is lovingly wrapped to give to the recipient. However, gift-wrap is not only costly, it is also wasteful, as many discard of the wrapping once they have got to the gift within. There are many Eco-friendly alternatives to wrapping paper to reduce waste and expense.
Here are a few Eco-friendly alternatives to wrapping paper:
Reuse, recycle and stash it
Before the holiday period, collect all packaging and boxes from any purchases such as food boxes, match boxes, shoe boxes and any tissue paper that goods are wrapped in can be stored away until you need to wrap gifts. You will then have all the supplies needed and a selection of boxes of different sizes to use. In addition, also keep hold of anything else which could come in handy for creating gift-wrap. Keep magazines and newspaper as these can be utilized, as well as keeping any gift-wrap, bows or ribbons from gifts received throughout the year. These can all be reused to create unique Eco-friendly alternative wrapping paper, bags and gift boxes.
Make home-made gift boxes
Gift boxes look more sophisticated, and they are easier to use, however, they come at a cost. Creatinghomemade gift boxesis simple and easy. There are many types of boxes that can be used to create gift boxes such as hat or shoe boxes. All that is required is a little time and some creativity. The box can be personalized by either painting it, or covering it in images from old wrapping paper to create a colorful artistic box, alternatively pictures from magazines can be clipped and used to decorate the box. If the recipient is a car lover, collect car images that can be used to cover a box, and these can be overlapped to give the box a funky design.
Bag it
Many retailers are now producing their own reusable tote bags. There are many designs to suit all tastes and budgets, and these have become popular to decrease the amount of plastic bags that are being distributed. Shop around for tote bags that are inexpensive, durable and are designed to last a lifetime. These make great gift bags, as they can be reused for many purposes, and the recipient will have a stylish bag that they can use time and time again. This is a thoughtful way to present a gift, and a great way to prevent any waste.
Alternative materials to wrap gifts
There are many materials around the home that are waiting to be used. Newspaper pages make ideal gift-wrap, however, do ensure to check the print on the page is suitable for the recipient. Magazine, comics or calendar pages are ideal for wrapping smaller gifts. Wallpaper samples, or left over paper is perfect to use for wrapping gifts, if it is plain jazz it up with a few pictures. Small ends of tin foil can make little gifts look amazing. Food jars and coffee cans make lovely gift containers, especially for homemade gifts and candies and add a personalized gift card to the top to give it the finishing touch. Another nice way to wrap small gifts is by buying pretty material napkins, and yarn can be used to hold the package together.
Creative gift wrapping ideas
There are many ways that paper can be omitted altogether. Opt for a usable item that can be part of the gift. Candies and home-made baked goods can be presented in pretty tins or jars, as these can be reused and will make a gift look great. Cosmetics and beauty products can be packaged in material wash bags, or even rolled in a towel and secured at the ends with yarn to create a cracker shape. Toys can be placed inside plastic lidded boxes, as these can double up as storage boxes. Gifts for infants can be wrapped in a soft blanket. Bottled gifts can be wrapped in a scarf. Wicker baskets are also ideal containers for many types of gifts, and these have many purposes.
Finishing touches
Forget the Sticky-Tape, use yarn to hold gifts together, as this won’t ruin the packaging and it saves on waste, as it can be reused. Alternatively use leftover wool or even a pair of colorful shoe laces for younger recipients, as these can be used, and will give the gift a funky colorful look. Hair ribbons work especially well, and are inexpensive and can form part of the present. Decorate gifts with anything you have to hand, from beads, buttons, images from magazines or use an ink stamp. For the finishing touch create a personalized gift card to complement the package.
Creating personal gift-wrap not only saves on resources and reduces waste; it can also be tailored to suit the gift and the intended recipient. A gift can actually look prettier if it has been wrapped in a creative way, without using gift-wrap, and it can give the gift a more personal touch that is sure to be appreciated.
