Every year I am quite disappointed to see thousands flock into dollar stores and purchase brand new gift wrap and gift bags. Did they not save the bags they received the previous year? They purchase gift wrap from cheap dispensers to save money, but it does nothing for the planet in the least. When choosing a gift wrap make sure it is made out of recycled paper, and they are using soya ink with the printing process of the designs they have placed on the paper.

 I prefer to get creative with wrapping, then simply using paper and bags. I have listed some suggestions that I have used.

 Fabric

 You can wrap a gift in fabric that can be reused, such as a towel or even a t-shirt that will be worn by the individual opening it.

 A Shoebox

 If you have an old shoe box in the house, you can place the gift into the shoebox, and then decorate it environmentally. If you have children, ask them to color on the box.

 Tin Cans

 Last year I made cookies for my neighbor, and placed them inside a reused coffee tin, the large ones. I then proceeded to wrap it in fabric and tied a ribbon around it. I also added a candy cane to the ribbon. My neighbors loved it; they ate the cookies and can reuse the tin. I had leftover white fun fur which I had purchased long before I had become green with organic type of fabrics, so I used the white fun fur to make it look like snow.

 Baskets

 Baskets can be used over and over again and make a great container to place the gifts inside of. Then you can use a towel to wrap it so they can not see what is contained inside the basket.

 This year do your best to recycle objects you have at home to limit waste of paper being thrown out from gift wrapping. These are only a few suggestions, I am sure many can come up with others. Another wonderful idea is placing gifts inside of another gift. Does someone in your life need pots? You can place socks and other objects within the pots as a way of containing and wrapping them. Then you tie a ribbon around the pot to hold it together.

 Check out your local Salvation Army and Good Will stores for other creative containers. I have been pleasantly surprised to find boxes and other objects to use for gift wrapping when visiting second hand stores and yard sales.