by Mandi M.

Created on: November 09, 2008   Last Updated: November 26, 2008

The holiday season brings a special sort of challenge to the eco-giver. How do you dazzle your friends and family with wonderfully wrapped gifts without contributing to the giant holiday waste pile? Here are some ideas that are not only good for the environment, but good for your wallet too!

There are many household items that you can use to create your own gift wrapping. For example, your household newspaper is perfect for wrapping gifts of all sizes. For a personal touch, try using sections that personally appeal to your friends' and families' interests. The colourful "funnies" are great for kids or anyone with a sense of humor. If your children are helping you, why not let them decorate, colour or paint some craft paper and then wrap up gifts from them. The receiver will now have a special piece of art to go along with their gift. Recycled aluminum foil adds shimmer and shine to any gift.

Boxes, baskets and tins are re-usable and easy to decorate. You can make your own boxes for small gifts from gift cards you may have kept from past holiday seasons. Baskets in any size or style can be found inexpensively at dollar stores or thrift stores. You can leave them as is or paint them and add decoration to your hearts content. There are a variety of tins that can be re-used to hold cookies, tea, change, anything you can think of. And since they come in many different sizes and designs you can choose whether to go with a holiday theme or a year-round pattern.

Purchased gift bags are a great alternative to wrapping paper as they are more likely to be saved and re-used the following Christmas. To make sure they don't get thrown out, refrain from writing your holiday messages on the bag and instead use a removable tag. Alternatively, for those that are artistic, making your own gift bags from material can double as an attractive tote bag later on. Even re-usable grocery bags can be used. They may not be the prettiest but they are certainly practical and will come to good use the next shopping trip.

Wrapping gifts in a decorative throw blanket is an especially nice touch for those experiencing chilly winters. Your friends and family will think of you when they are all cuddled up nice and warm. A silk (or otherwise) scarf is another beautiful way to wrap a gift. They come in many beautiful colours and designs that will make your gift look truly unique. As well, your loved one will appreciate the idea of a gift wrapped within a gift.

For those of you that want to be "greener" but aren't quite ready to give up on wrapping paper entirely, there are some stores and online sites that are now selling "green" gift wrap made from recyclable materials. It may take a bit of hunting to find a store close to you that sells it, but it certainly is a more eco-conscious alternative.

When decorating your gifts think "green", go for a short walk and see what you can find! Pinecones, branches, berries, etc. are all naturally unique and fitting with the season. When it comes to beauty, nature does it best!

When thinking of ways to wrap "green" this season, remember to be creative with a sense of humor. Add meaningful personal touches that will ensure your gift wrapping will be thought of fondly and come to good use for years to come!

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