12 Clever Ways To Ditch Wrapping Paper This Holiday Season
The parties, the presents, the never-ending slew of events, the holidays do tend to pile up—literally. The amount of household waste we produce spikes each year between late November and early January; all that extra food waste, packaging and items that are thrown out when we receive new things means that our trash output increases more than 25 percent according to the David Suzuki Foundation. In fact, a recent study conducted by advocacy group Zero Waste Canada shows that some 540,000 tonnes of wrapping paper and gift bags are thrown out in this country each year. There are many ways you can cut back on the waste. Tucking one present inside another, for instance, is a clever way to double your gift while also cutting down on the amount of garbage and recycling you produce this holiday.
How to use an apron to wrap a gift
This handmade apron ($35) from Vancouver-based artisan Nate Gao, who runs the Etsy shop The Cozy Spoon, makes a pretty—and practical—cover for a cookbook. Scroll down for a step-by-step guide on how to use an apron to wrap a gift.
Step one: Place apron face down a table or floor, and position the gift in the middle of the apron. Fold down the top half of the apron.
Step two: Fold up the bottom half of the apron.
Step three: Fold in the sides.
Step four: Flip the gift over and tie the apron strings. And it’s a wrap!
Below, we share more ways to ditch wrapping paper this holiday season.
Fold a book in a scarf or cozy throw. Multi-stripe candy scarf, $30, simons.ca.
Place fun earrings or bangles into a bento box. Mepal bento box, $30, chapters.indigo.ca.
Slip some beauty products into a pair of gloves or socks. Reading socks, $35, chapters.indigo.ca.
Wrap up a luscious lip balm in a sustainable bamboo cloth. Unwrapped Life bamboo cloths, $25, unwrappedlife.com.
Fill a jar with cocktail essentials. Jar with lid, $3, ikea.ca.
Hide all sorts of gifts in a cloth produce bag. Dans Le Sac bulk bags, $14 for 2, well.ca.
Tuck away a new coffee scoop or spatula in a fancy tea towel. Vildkaprifol tea towel, $8 for 2, ikea.ca.
Reuse the plain brown wrapping paper that often comes stuffed in delivery boxes to wrap your presents. You can leave it plain, or try your hand at decorating it with acrylic paint or stamps.
Use an old map (extra points if it’s from a memorable road trip).
Re-use the wrapping paper that others give you. Allow your inner perfectionist to shine through as you carefully unstick tape and un-crease edges. Don’t be afraid to cover sticker labels with new ones or tape up a bag with a small rip. Stow it away under your bed until you need it again.
Ditch wrapping altogether and do a scavenger hunt.
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