The holidays are a joyful time of year to spend with family, friends, and enjoying one another's company. To show your appreciation, it's natural to want to give presents to your loved ones. This holiday season we invite you to consider greener gifting options like doing an activity together or DIYing a present. For those following a wish-list, you can still reduce your gift-giving impact by wrapping your presents in a way that is sustainable!
It's estimated that Canadians send 540,000 tonnes of wrapping paper to the landfill each holiday season. That's the equivalent of 100,000 elephants!
As most wrapping paper is a combination of plastic, paper, and sometimes foil all mixed together, it makes it difficult to separate during the recycling process. Don't worry - you can still show people you care while caring for the planet too!
PAPER
Paper is a simple and effective option for wrapping gifts in a way that is environmentally mindful. Being 100% recyclable, paper can be placed into regular curb-side collection for proper disposal. Personalize the packaging using homemade stamps or messaging.
Newspaper
Brown Kraft Paper
To secure paper in place, use washi tape, a plastic-free alternative and typically derived from bamboo or hemp.
REUSABLE BAG or BOX
Give your friends and family the gift of reusing! Boxes have many great uses, like storing items in your home or they can be re-used and gifted to someone else in the future. Tote and cloth bags also make for a fun and uniquely-wrapped gift that can be reused for shopping, groceries and produce, bulk buys or snacks on-the-go.
See some of our favourite locally-made reusable bags below:
The Market Bags - Upcycled Cotton Produce + Snack Bags - https://themarketbags.ca
EverPresent Giving - Handcrafted Gift Bags - https://www.everpresentgiving.com
Waste Not Designs - Reusable Gifting Bags - https://www.wastenotdesigns.ca
Artsy Phartsy - Upcycled Tote Bags - https://artsyphartsy.org
CLOTH
For wrapping without paper you can explore the Furoshiki technique, using cloth to bundle gifts. Preloved material, an old bandana or other fabric cloth will do the trick!
Find locally-made cloth wraps from these lovely makers:
Waste Not Designs - Bojagi Cloth Wraps - https://www.wastenotdesigns.ca
The Market Bags - Organic Cotton Furoshiki Wraps - https://themarketbags.ca
JAR
If secrecy for the gift isn't a concern, consider upcycling a container or jar to enclose your present. The simplicity of a jar offers a minimalist approach to wrapping, while giving the gift of reuse!
ACCESSORIES
To finish off your wrapping, you can spruce up the look by adding a few accessories! Here are our sustainable suggestions:
Twine + string
Burlap
Greenery + Pinecones (or natural-growing finishes local to your area of the word!)
Cinnamon Sticks
Dried Orange Slices - learn how to make them here!
Lace
Wooden Buttons
This holiday season, and for any celebration, we encourage you to indulge in giving the gift of green! Use these sustainable alternatives to minimize your wrapping waste and to inspire others to do the same.
For more eco-friendly holiday fun, check out our blogs that explore Real vs. Fake Christmas Trees, Green Gifting, and hosting a Low-Waste Party.