Eco-Friendly Holidays Part 1: Wrapping Your Gift with Love for the Earth

The holidays are approaching very quickly! For those who are eco-conscious, this is the perfect time to start planning vegetarian holiday meals and considering green gifts for friends and family. In all the hustle and bustle of the holidays, wrapping paper is usually the last thing on our minds. Unfortunately, in the US alone, the holidays produce around 4 million tons of waste – just in wrapping paper and shopping bags! No one wants to wrap their gifts in dull, unattractive, recycled wrapping paper. Gifts should be nestled in bright and shiny paper, luxurious bows and decorative bags. Luckily, there are some gorgeous alternatives that you can use to make your gifts shine – and make the recipients eager to open them. Recycled Wrapping Paper Doesn’t Have to Be Boring! With the growing concern for the health of our planet, many companies are manufacturing paper goods which are recycled from 100% post consumer materials. While many individuals picture these recycled papers in dull shades of brown and green – this is just not the case. Recycled wrapping paper comes in all shades, styles and types. From shiny blue paper that features charming snowmen to more conservative, taupe paper with majestic pine trees printed on it – there is a style to suit every taste and personality. Earth, Love’n Paper is one company that offers beautifully designed gift-wrap created from 100% post-consumer waste. Get this – the paper is processed chlorine-free and contains vegetable based inks. The backs of the paper contain lines for cutting as well as information about how beneficial recycled wrapping paper is versus traditional gift wrap. While this wrapping paper looks quite luxurious, the company enjoys the fact that it’s so affordable, everyone can use it. By making it available for everyone, they increase the chances that more people will use it. “I want people from all walks of life to be able to afford our gift wrap,” says owner Caren Levin. "The quality of our paper is high-end, but the price is not. In addition, we donate 1 tree for every 10 packages of gift wrap sold through our partnership with Trees for the Future.” Eco-Friendly Trimmings for Your Packages Once you have your gifts nicely wrapped in beautiful, eco-friendly wrapping paper – you will want to make it even more beautiful with the use of trimmings. There are many of these available, including eco-friendly ribbons and tissue paper. You can make your gifts attractive and striking without feeling guilty at all! There are some beautiful gift bags, tissue paper and eco-friendly ribbons that will dress up your packages to friends and family members. Just a few places you can get them from include: www.sweetorganicsandnaturals.com www.dunwoodybooth.com By wrapping your gifts in love for the earth, you can feel extra great about giving them. You may even inspire friends and family members to do the same. Be sure to check out Part 2 of Eco-Friendly Holidays for more green holiday surprises – it’s coming soon!