ZERO WASTE GIFT WRAPPING GUIDE!

Did you know that around 2.3-2.6 BILLION pounds worth of wrapping paper will be thrown away this Christmas. We buy it, to use it once, & then throw it away. Its the definition of a single use nightmare. & of course the most mainstream way of going to the store each year to pick out a wrapping paper that matches your current years Christmas aesthetic is played out. There is a better way. These are some of them:

ZERO WASTE GIFT WRAPPING OPTIONS: 

1. collect paper bags from grocery stores, restaurants, & merchandise stores & use them as wrapping paper. of course, dont take a copious amount of bags randomly. what i used to do was when i would *accidentally forget my reusables, i would opt for paper bags & hold onto them for gift wrapping. they work so well & you can decorate them with crayons or any random junky crafts you have laying around to add your own holiday touch. 

2. use old fabric as a reusable wrapping paper option. sheets, pillow cases, swaddle blankets & even SOCKS make great fabric wrapping! infinitely reusable & just another way to up-cycle items you already have! 

3. reusable bags (yes tote bags work too). this one is fun because once in a while you'll run across that Christmas themed tote bag your grandma gave you but you never use. The holidays are the time! work well with option #2. you can first wrap your item in fabric then place it in a reusable tote bag to add that extra element of secrecy to the unwrapping process

4. use old maps, newspapers, magazine pages & calendars for wrapping of smaller gifts. another opportunity to dig in those junk drawers & up-cycle! & of course, easy wrapping paper to recycle once all the unwrapping is done

5. glass jar wrapping. i use this idea specifically if i'm gifting pot pourri or those ready to mix cookie jars! doesn't require much besides that old spaghetti jar you've been hoarding & a little ribbon you have laying around! 

6. basket wrapping. got any old wicker baskets hanging about? basket wrapping is one of my go to techniques if i'm gifting food, books, or oddly shaped items that won't look well wrapped. just place everything is a basket & if you want that added level of secrecy to the gift, take a big sheet & use that to wrap the basket in! 

7. seed infused wrapping paper. now this option does involve a fee since you'll have to purchase it unless you know the skill of paper making yourself. but seed infused wrapping paper is a fun way to give a 2-in-1 gift! not only does your giftee get a gift, they also get to save the wrapping paper & plant it to grow flowers or even herbs! here is a trusted brand who sells plantable wrapping paper: Plantable Wrapping Paper

ZERO WASTE NAME TAG IDEAS: 

1. use those old cards! remember all those "thank you" cards & "happy birthday" cards you've been hoarding because you feel bad throwing them away? well now its time to wipe the dust off those things! use the cover to find little sections that can be made into festive name tags for Christmas gift wrapping! another great way to up-cycle & create your own recyclable name tags!
2. here are 3 other fun ideas i've come up with over the years. watch here!