Who doesn\u2019t want to have a few presents to open on Christmas morning?\u00a0 Once the gift is open we are left sitting in a pile of paper and plastic tidbits.\u00a0 These items litter the landfills for hundreds of years because they are not biodegradable.\u00a0 Here are some ideas for alternative gift wrapping this year.<\/p>\n
There are men and women sitting eagerly at the counter waiting to get a hold of our gifts.\u00a0 They are the department store gift wrappers.\u00a0 They swaddle our purchases in brightly colored paper, metallic ribbon, and handsome bows.\u00a0 Obviously they have some artistic talent because our home wrapped gifts never look that good.<\/p>\n
The problem with all of this is that the person opening the gift is going to trash their careful handiwork into a million tiny paper pieces.\u00a0 There are a few exceptions.\u00a0 Some people carefully unwrap their gifts, folding the paper as they go.\u00a0 These are the ones who reuse the paper each year for other presents.\u00a0 We applaud you.<\/p>\n
For the rest of us, the garbage can gets full rather quickly with discarded wrapping paper.\u00a0 Much of this doesn\u2019t get recycled or isn\u2019t recycled.\u00a0 Decide to end the senseless landfill waste by using other materials for gift wrapping this year.<\/p>\n
Try recycled wrapping paper.\u00a0 This paper may not look as pretty as other wrappings but the purpose of gift wrap is to conceal a present inside.\u00a0 It is not the paper that is most important but the treasure within.<\/p>\n
How about cloth wrappings?\u00a0 Stores sell fabric in Christmas colors each year.\u00a0 Purchase a few yards in different colors and create reusable gift wrapping.<\/p>\n
If you are good with a sewing machine it will take no time at all to turn that cloth into a fabric wine bottle cover, a wrapping for flat boxes, a cloth wrapping for a square box, or a cloth bag for multiple gifts.\u00a0 The wrappings can be sewn with a drawstring to cinch the bag closed.<\/p>\n
These decorative cloth wrappings can be used by the recipient to give a gift the next year at Christmas.\u00a0 The point is that the garbage won\u2019t be filled with wrapping paper again this year.<\/p>\n
Gift baskets are a fun alternative to traditional wrapping.\u00a0 Baskets come in many sizes and are made from natural materials.\u00a0 Fill them with items the person will love including homemade presents.<\/p>\n
The gift basket can be used throughout the year after the gifts are gone.\u00a0 Use it to hold towels, bath toiletries, fruit and vegetables, or whatever else you choose.\u00a0 The basket can continue to be used or passed on the next Christmas.<\/p>\n
How will you present your gifts this year?\u00a0 Go for the environmentally friendly approach and you will not only be giving a gift to someone you love but will be helping to protect the earth as well.<\/p>\n