I absolutely love Christmas and the holiday season because it’s all about giving gifts and sharing experiences. However, there’s a downside many people overlook: all the extra waste from gift wrap, bags, and ribbon.
Here’s something to think about: in the U.S. alone, we use a whopping 4 million tons of gift wrap and decorations each year, which just piles up in landfills after the holidays. Waste production spikes by 25% from Thanksgiving to New Year’s. And with over two billion cards sent and enough ribbon used to circle the Earth, it’s clear that this all contributes to landfill waste.
But here’s the good news—we can celebrate the holidays with our loved ones without creating so much waste. There are plenty of ways to wrap gifts using eco-friendly, reusable packaging. The old saying “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” is a great reminder when it comes to gift wrapping.
So, how do we start? A major step is to cut down on the number of gifts. Instead of giving several presents to each person, focus on a few high-quality ones. I prefer giving experiences instead of physical gifts whenever I can. Tickets to a baseball game, memberships to the zoo or a museum, trips for rock climbing, or a movie outing require little wrapping material and create wonderful family memories.
When gifts do need wrapping, try using reusable materials. While there’s a brief thrill in tearing off traditional wrapping paper, a creative reusable wrap is both a fun surprise and an ongoing gift.
Some ideas for reusable gift wrap include repurposing materials you already have at home. As for all that ribbon we use at Christmastime, get a bit creative, and you might discover even more eco-friendly wrapping ideas.
What’s your favorite way to wrap gifts creatively? Share your ideas below!
