Wrap the Grads gift up Eco-Friendly
Monday, March 23rd, 2009
With graduation coming up soon in May, let the gift-buying commence. But, are you wrapping that gift up in an Eco-friendly way? Here are some ideas to keep that Eco-friendly gift, green all the way around.
1. Using chip and snack bags: Sounds silly doesn’t it? But, it’s true, most chip and snack bags and even some wrapping paper that is foil-lined or all foil wrapping paper can not be recycled unfortunately, so using these options again and again can help keep them out of the landfills. Simply wash the chip or snack bag and turn it inside out so that the shiny side is what you see. Wash these bags in your dishwasher or by hand with very hot water to wash all of the oils from the chips or snacks away. Allow to dry and wrap your gift as normal. You can cut the bag along the seam to make it easier to wrap with.
2. Using a paper or Mylar shopping bag or balloon: Mylar balloons are not very Eco-friendly at all and many of us have them lying around as well as paper shopping bags too. Instead of placing them in the trash, use them to wrap your gifts with. Cut a paper shopping bag along the seam and warp your gift as normal. The Mylar balloon can be cut along the seam as well and used to wrap smaller gifts. You can also stamp the top of the gift as well with a wine cork that has been dipped in beet juice. Stamp the first and last initial of the receiver for a personal touch.
3. Use fruit, cinnamon sticks, etc. to adorn on the top of gift packages: You can dry fruit such as oranges in a dehydrator and tie a small ribbon through the fruit and attach to the top of the gift. Or use cinnamon stick and tie about three or four together and arrange them into a star pattern by taking the string and threading around each stick to hold into place. You can also use glitter covered pinecones or make dough shapes by mixing 2 cups flour, 2 cups slat and 1 cup water. Roll it out onto a work surface and use cookie cutters to cut the shapes that you are wanting. Bake for 20 minutes at 250 degrees. Be sure and poke a hole in the top before baking.
*Natural and Sustainable Living Tip: Looking for ways to go green at your desk? Look to the staple less stapler and save on stales.
