This article is part of the “Have a Sustainable Holiday Season” series presented by the Moscow Food Co-op’s owner-ran Sustainability Committee.
Americans spend around 2.6 billion on holiday wrapping paper. Reduce that amount by wrapping gifts in a renewable paper source: newspaper comics, ad inserts, catalog pages, magazine pages, or other paper.
Use reusable gift boxes, fabric or bags (paper or fabric). You can start a family tradition of exchanging gifts that fit in the same box. See here for how to wrap using fabric. The Japanese art of wrapping with fabric is known as furoshiki. There is no need to buy fabric; you can repurpose fabric from clothes, sheets or other items.
Choose recyclable wrapping paper (papers containing foil, plastic, cellophane or glitter are not recyclable). Reuse ribbons and wrapping paper. Send e-cards or make your cards from recycled materials.
Don’t stress
Whatever you decide to do this holiday season try not to stress! Give the gift of relaxation to yourself. Remember that you are not personally responsible for the holiday happiness of others and let go of the idea of a perfect holiday.
Penned by Susan F., PhD
Look for future editions of the “Have a Sustainable Holiday Season” series from Susan and the Sustainability Committee here!