Tis the season to spend most of your paycheck on gifts for friends and family, so here are a few ideas for saving money when wrapping all of your presents. Wrapping paper can often be very expensive, and in some cases can cost more than the gift it is covering. Here are a few creative ways you can save on the wrapping, while at the same time help the environment by recycling old products!

I don’t know about you, but the tables in my house are often piled sky high with all sorts of newspapers. While most of the pages aren’t particularly aesthetically pleasing, there are a few sections (such as the Sunday comics or the food and wine section) which would make very pretty (and very cheap) wrapping material. You can dress it up with ribbons and bows, and in no time you can have a beautiful and recycled wrapping job.

Brown paper grocery bags are well known for their versatility. The great thing about using them as wrapping paper is that you can decorate the paper yourself, or you could have the kids draw on their own designs. Brown paper grocery bags can also be used to wrap those odd shaped presents that are awkward to try and wrap. Place the present inside of the bag and fold down the top. Use a hole puncher to punch two holes through the top of the bag where it is folded and use ribbon to tie it shut. When you’re in the line at the grocery store doing your holiday dinner shopping, simply ask for “Paper, not plastic.”

We would also like to remind you that if you’re traveling with gifts for your friends and family, it’s a good idea to wrap them after you’ve reached your destination. Airport security isn’t too keen on wrapped gifts going through security, so either leave them in your suitcase or bring some brown paper bags along with you to wrap it later.

If anyone has any other cheap and environmentally friendly wrapping tips to add, please post them below!

Wishing you all a safe and happy holiday season!

Kelly
Environmental Health