by Michael Smith (Veshengro)
Have you started thinking about Christmas yet and all those presents you will be buying for your nearest and dearest? But before even deciding which presents to buy, also get thinking about how to package them.
Usually most people seem to buy wrapping paper around Christmas time as there are lots of deals on and some thrifty souls buy it in such a way that it will last them all year, thus they try to buy neutral patterns.
But, if done right you can get away without buying wrapping paper. Here are some ideas for Eco-conscious thrifty alternatives to traditional wrapping paper:
-
Wrap your clothes in fabric (you could even use old clothes). The wrapping can then be used again and again.
- Package them in a reusable box
- Place them in a paper or card gift bag. You could punch holes at the top of the gift bag and tie it up with ribbon so that the present still has to be 'unwrapped', but the 'wrapping' can be easily reused.
- Use old newspaper. You could jazz it up a bit by wrapping a nice tasteful ribbon around it.
- Old unwanted maps may make nice wrapping paper. If you don't have any lying around you could look in charity shops. It may be cheaper than buying wrapping paper and is definitely more environmentally friendly.
- Posters that are past their best or totally past their sell by date would be great for wrapping up large items, or they could be chopped up to wrap up smaller ones. If you don't like the picture .
- Use colorful pages from old magazines.
- Gift baskets - these are a present in themselves. Instead of covering the top with cellophane, just tie a ribbon around it, or alternatively buy one with a lid. You could look in second hand shops for these, as they can be pricey.
- Fabric shopping bags - again these are a present in themselves. You could even make one from old clothes if you are feeling very green and thrifty. You could tie the handles together and put a ribbon around the tied up part.
- Glass jars and tins could be used to package small items. If you tie a wide strip of fabric around the glass jar or a circle of fabric over the top of the tin, you wouldn't be able to see the goods inside.
- Use the present as the packaging. If you have bought someone a scarf, hat and gloves for example, you could wrap up the gloves and hat within the scarf. Tie a strip of fabric or a ribbon around the package and it could look quite enticing. You could even hide something unexpected like a bag of chocolate coins inside.
- Plant pots can accommodate a number of items, you could stick to a garden theme or mix it up a bit. They have the added advantage that they can be personalized and reused
The Japanese have a way of wrapping gifts in reusable cloth wraps and they really know how to do it. There are web sites and -pages dedicated to this and it is easy. You don't have to use special cloth either.
Personally, I like the “using old newspaper” idea for wrapping gifts because, as I always say, it is the gift that counts and not the paper. If I buy a present for someone I rather spend the money that would go on the paper, which often is not paper and thus an hazard to the environment, on the gift.
A great way, especially when giving a gift to a child, is to make the wrapping yourself. My favorite idea is a gift-bag from this or that cloth material which they can them use as a bag also.
Your imagination is the only limit here as to how and what to use for gift packaging rather than paper.
© 2011
