Ladies, with only one week left to shop for Christmas presents, we'd like to make a helpful suggestion to relieve some of the stress. Instead of standing in line forever in department stores waiting to overpay for professional gift-wrapping that will get thrown out anyway, just order some eco-friendly gift wrap and do it on your own. Better yet, toss your gift into a reusable wrapping paper alternative, you'll save yourself from aggravation and the environment from needless waste. Here are some really chic eco-finds:
Gift Wrap: 1) 100% recycled wrapping paper from Smith and Hawken that even comes in nature-inspired prints. 2) A festive Hemp Wrap that is printed with vegetable inks and is completely biodegradable. 3) An organic paper that is actually embedded with wildflower seeds. After the presents are opened, the wrapping can be ripped up and buried in the garden (how cool is that?).
Eco-Ribbons: 1) Naturally vegetable-dyed hand-twisted ribbon that is made from post-consumer recycled paper. 2) Biodegradable ribbons made from perfectly aligned strands of cotton that are coated with a water-based adhesive and colored with soy ink. 3) Waxed hemp twine that you can use to tie around your gifts in order to avoid using plastic tape.
Reusable Gift Bags: 1) If you want to avoid the hassle of wrapping a present, try an Organic Gift Bag from Lucky Crow. Using one of these will help reduce paper waste, so tell your recipient to pass it on the next time she gives a gift. 2) Another pretty option in Christmas red, this satin drawstring bag is great for little stocking stuffer-like gifts. 3) Graphic scarf squares make a great reusable gift wrap. This style of wrapping is actually an ancient Japanese tradition known as 'furoshiki.'
Reusable Gift Boxes: 1) A set of three festive gift boxes in coordinating patterns from Smith & Hawken. 2) An ornate cylindrical gift box meant for wine bottles. It is so pretty, you might have to give yourself a bottle of wine for Christmas. 3) A Pop-Up Box with tissue paper already inside it, available at The Body Shop.
Gift Tags: 1) An Earth Greetings Christmas Tag from 100% recycled paper that comes in a set with four different designs. 2) Add a personal holiday greeting to this Poinsettia Print Sustainable Gift Tag from Paporganics. 3) This Plantable Holiday Tag is a gift in itself. The recipient can plant it in the ground and grow beautiful wildflowers.
