This holiday, why not challenge yourself to reduce the amount of wrapping supplies you buy? With a bit of creativity, you quickly can find innovative ways to wrap just about any gift. My sister got me thinking about this idea already, as we already have exchanged gifts for Dutch Christmas on December 5th. She surprised me with her idea of gift wrapping (pictured). The trash bin was filled with gifts, and indeed, the trash bin and the scarf around it were gifts as well. (I’ll be going to college next year, so she figured she would give me a head start on my dorm decor.) Here are a few green gift wrapping ideas:

• Make the gift part of the wrapping. A trash can might not be the best way to go unless you have  a college dorm or Oscar the Grouch theme going on. However, there are other gifts that could do the trick: a fleece blanket wrapped around some pajamas or a watering can filled with gardening tools. Top it off with a scarf, and it can become quite the package.
• Buy blooming wrapping paper.  Blooming wrapping paper is a gift in itself. The paper is embedded with wildflower seeds. After its job has been served, this gift wrap can be planted directly into the dirt.
• Add a compact fluorescent bulb instead of a bow. It’s quirky. Yes. But effective? Yes.
• If you can’t think of anything else, newspaper makes excellent green wrapping paper. To avoid making newspaper look like just a cheap wrapping paper alternative, pick sections that the receiver enjoys, comics usually work well, or get creative with some magazine clippings.
• Save all the bags and bows when all is said and done. With a bit of double sided tape, a used bow is as good as new. Even large pieces of gift wrap can be saved for smaller gifts in upcoming years.

Why not make it a challenge among your family members to see who has the greenest and most creative wrapping? See what you can do; you will be proud of the results.

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