Recycled Gift Wrapping Ideas for Christmas

Now that your shopping is done, you will need to wrap those Christmas presents. Why not use recycled paper for your Christmas gifts? Not only will you save a tree, but you will save money by not purchasing wrapping paper. You will also set a good example for others to follow if they are looking to go green. The following are some recycled Christmas gift wrapping ideas that I have used in past and will use again. If you do not have any of these materials, use your imagination and find something similar that you do have.

Boxes

Whether you are shipping a Christmas gift across the country or slipping it under the Christmas tree, you will need a box. Before purchasing a brand new shipping box, scour your garage for a gift box that will work. Shoe boxes make excellent recycled gift boxes, as do all of those mailing boxes from your favorite online retailer. It takes a little extra storage space, but consider saving boxes for just such a situation. If you have no boxes that work, check with local florists and grocery stores to see if you can get some from them. These retailers generally have excess boxes.

Paper

Comics - Give the gift of laughter with your real Christmas gift this year. The Sunday funny pages make nice recycled Christmas gift wrap. Comics are colorful, and can be collected from your old newspapers. If you are not interested in color, consider using the whole newspaper.

Maps - As a geographer, I have a habit of saving old maps. Many of them are outdated, mass produced and are unlikely to be collector's items in the future. Check your old National Geographic magazines for the insert maps. You might also have some old road maps in your car that are out of date, and need to be updated. These maps make perfect recycled wrapping paper.

Posters - If you happen to have a stash of old tattered posters, use them as recycled Christmas wrapping paper. Use the picture on front, or flip the poster over to have solid white paper. You can leave it plain, or let it be the canvas for your Christmas wrapping paper masterpiece.

Save for Next Year

Instead of tearing into your packages like a rabid badger, open your gifts with care. This will preserve the Christmas wrapping paper, and allow you to use it again next year. You may never have to buy wrapping paper ever again!

Merry Christmas!