Thursday, December 8, 2011

Eco-Friendly Present Wrapping Ideas



Hi Puzzlers,


I’m still on my wrapping paper jig. If your living room floor looks anything like mine at Christmas time it will be filled with crumpled paper and bows. According to the EPA the 25 percent hike in curbside trash between Thanksgiving and Christmas comes from wrapping paper! Yikes!!! And burning the paper in the fireplace is even worse as many foils and inks contain chemicals that are toxic when burned. Fear not! Listed below are several eco-friendly ideas.


Traditional Eco-Wraps: Use your old newspapers, magazine pages, wall paper (peel it off your wall if you have to) and greeting cards. Or try children’s drawings, coloring book pages or subway and topographical maps. Just layer them to add a creative textured look that doesn’t say cheap!


Give me shine: Why not use recycled aluminum foil or an empty potato-chip bag to dress up your gifts. Just take a peek inside a potato-chip bag; it is shiny white or silver inside! All you have to do is cut the edges with scissors then wash it with soap and water, and let it air dry. Next wrap the present and add some colorful twine or ribbon. Instant eco-bling!!!

It is not just a box: This is one of my favorites, just use a lovely container. Give that gardener in your family a bucket or watering can filled with gardening supplies. The next Iron Chef would love a mixing bowl or stockpot filled with their favorite spices and cookbooks. The container options are endless and they are part of the gift! It is a win-win in my book.

That’s a wrap: Why not try the ancient Japanese art of gift wrapping called furoshiki. Furoshiki uses scarves, towels, fabric scraps, blankets, any cloth will work. The cloth is then folded and tied to beautifully conceal the present. Click here for a few furoshiki tying techniques. The Hon-Tsutsumi will work great for wrapping two puzzles.

And that’s a wrap!

Happy Puzzling!

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