Gift wrapping has always been one of those things that I have thought to be a waste of the materials used in order to attain a short term goal. The present is wrapped for whoever’s birthday, anniversary, wedding or any number of special occasions for the brief 15 seconds before the decorating papers and ribbons surrounding the actual gift are ripped to shreds. Now there is nothing wrong with wanting to present your gift in an attractive manor, after all you have gone to all the trouble of picking out and purchasing a present, but there must be a greener way.

The effect that all of the pleasantries of gift giving has on the environment is more frightening than you would think. Never mind the damage that we do year round with all of the birthdays and other gift giving holidays, but think about the Christmas Season. In the U.S., an additional 5 million tons of waste is generated during the holidays. Four million tons of this is wrapping paper and shopping bags. Among friends, family, even though it is nice to have gifts wrapped, think about not wrapping some of your gifts and remembering what positive effect this will have on the environment. So here are some suggestions from Planet Green Discovery on how to still have a great holiday season without hurting the environment.

1. Reused Gift Bags
   Most of us have a stash of gift bags saved from presents we’ve received. Put them to good use and commit to using only gift bags instead of wrapping. Also, if you feel a gift bag isn’t finished without a filler like tissue paper, use a greener option—the shreds from your paper shredder!
2. Paper Grocery Bags
   You can create beautiful gift bags from materials found around the house. Decorate paper grocery bags with markers and crayons, or decoupage them with magazine cut-outs. Use it as wrapping paper or a gift sack. Put on the finishing touch with scrap ribbon from previous projects.
3. Reusable Cloth Bags
   Do you have scrap fabric lying around? Or maybe some old shirts you never wear but that have lovely patterns. Try your hand at some easy-sew cloth bags. Since you’re making them by hand, you can sew them to suit your needs. You can also design them to be practical for the recipient as a shopping bag. Your imagination is the limit.
4. Clay Pots
   Clay pots can make a present look extra interesting, and are a reusable item for the recipientM. Place your gift in the pot, and use the drainage dish as the lid to hide the present from view. Tie it together with a reused ribbon, or strips of scrap fabric. You can also decorate the pot to personalize it using ceramic markers available at craft stores.
5. A Gift in a Gift
   One great way to make a gift extra special is to wrap it in another gift. A hand-knit scarf, a beautiful table cloth or runner, and hand-made purse or similar items are all great things to use for wrapping a gift within a gift.
6. Furoshiki
   This idea might be well combined with the “gift in a gift” suggestion. Furoshiki is a method of folding cloth into beautiful packages. Using a piece of beautifully printed cloth and a few knots in interesting places will create an eye-catching package.
7. A Bucket for Hobbyists
   Does the recipient have a hobby? Use a bucket-like item related to what they love. For the chef, a cooking pot. A watering can for the gardener. A hat box for the fashionista. Showing them you know them inside and out will make the wrapping even better than the gift inside.
8. Paper Waste
   Raiding the paper recycling bin is a great way to get materials for gift wrap. Magazine pages, notes from a class, the crossword puzzle from yesterday’s paper all could become ideal wrapping material for a package with personality.
9. Maps
   Maps, especially road maps, can become obsolete. However, they never loose their visual intrigue. Put them to good use as wrapping for a package that the recipient will turn over and over…and over and over…before opening.
10. Junk Mail
    What to do with junk mail that just keeps landing in your mailbox despite the fact that you signed up for the “do not mail” list? It’s frustrating to see the waste—however, all those offers to win big, or those colorful coupons become humorous wrapping material.
11. Cereal Boxes
    For clothing, accessories, and gifts on the thinner side, a cereal box is a great option for a unique container. Make it funny by adding a gift topper. For instance, if you’re using Cinnamon Toast Crunch, wrap it up with a recycled ribbon and stick a cinnamon stick in the knot of the bow. Or string some dried sliced fruit or berries through the ribbon.
12. Glass Jars
    After using up all the mayo for your world famous potato salad, use the jar as a gift container. Glass jars are versatile. Soak the label and remove it. Then get creative. Use recycled paper to line the interior as reversed wrapping to hide the gift, or leave it transparent for a “so close yet so far” effect. Use found objects to decorate it as a snowman or other winter icon. The options for how to use cloth, ribbon, and lid decorations are endless.