Wrap It Green: Alternative Gift Wrapping Ideas

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A flurry of activity on a December afternoon yeilds a stack of lovely and unique packages.
A flurry of activity on a December afternoon yeilds a stack of lovely and unique packages.
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Laden with gifts, guests leave the wrapping party. All the wrapping was recycled from materials that otherwise would have been thrown away.
Laden with gifts, guests leave the wrapping party. All the wrapping was recycled from materials that otherwise would have been thrown away.
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Because it's made to mix-and-match, wallpaper is ideal for decorating packages.
Because it's made to mix-and-match, wallpaper is ideal for decorating packages.
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Mixing and matching different patterns creates rich visual texture.
Mixing and matching different patterns creates rich visual texture.
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A cancelled stamp and postmark torn from the envelope of a card makes a colorful gift tag.
A cancelled stamp and postmark torn from the envelope of a card makes a colorful gift tag.
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An old Scrabble game from a flea market yielded wooden alphabet pieces to put an appealingly cryptic message on this package.
An old Scrabble game from a flea market yielded wooden alphabet pieces to put an appealingly cryptic message on this package.
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Transform paper that looks unfashionably utilitarian into something that has a handmade texture resembling crushed silk. First, ball up the paper, then unroll it, then crumple it repeatedly until it crushes easily into a small ball.
Transform paper that looks unfashionably utilitarian into something that has a handmade texture resembling crushed silk. First, ball up the paper, then unroll it, then crumple it repeatedly until it crushes easily into a small ball.
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Use your imagination to top off a package: Raid the junk drawer, the hardware aisle, the bead and button jar, and the recycling bin to find beautiful baubles.
Use your imagination to top off a package: Raid the junk drawer, the hardware aisle, the bead and button jar, and the recycling bin to find beautiful baubles.
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Many hands make light work and lots of laughter. In addition to creative ideas, each guest can take her favorite recycled materials to continue the eco-conscious wrapping at home.
Many hands make light work and lots of laughter. In addition to creative ideas, each guest can take her favorite recycled materials to continue the eco-conscious wrapping at home.

In the midst of all the hubbub, it’s easy to forget that the holidays are meant to be a time for connecting with others and that gifts are a happy token of kinship with those we love. This year, turn what’s usually a harried, solitary to-do into a fun excuse to get together with friends by throwing a wrap party. A little food, some holiday music, and lots of great ideas for eco-conscious wrapping make for a creative, festive, and productive afternoon.

We gathered seven creative, environmentally aware friends and asked each to bring a half-dozen gifts that needed wrapping. We prepared a light, healthy selection of sandwiches (wraps, of course!), fruit, and bite-size cookies to nibble. The real smorgasbord, however, was the table laden with wrapping materials: recycled papers crumpled to resemble Florentine fabric; colorful, eclectic wallpapers cut from discarded sample books; raffia, hemp, and jute string; an intriguing pastiche of baubles and tags; and rubber stamps, stickers, and colorful pens to put a personal stamp on the packages.

After a couple of hours–and a heaping helping of enjoyable chatter –everyone had an armload of stunning, unique packages to share with others.

Crushed Paper

Transform paper that looks unfashionably utilitarian into something that has a handmade texture resembling crushed silk. Paper that would otherwise be too stiff to use as wrapping can be crumpled and crushed to make a soft paper that wraps beautifully and defies its roots. The secret is to first ball up the paper, then unroll it, then crumple it repeatedly until it crushes easily into a small ball. Unroll it, smooth it out, and it’s ready to wrap.

  • Published on Dec 16, 2010
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