Americans throw away 25% more trash during the Thanksgiving to New Year’s holiday period than any other time of year--about 1 million extra tons per week (source: www.use-less-stuff.com). One way you can help reduce this is to rethink your gift wrapping strategy.

In her book Simple Living, José Hobday describes the Native American tradition of giving gifts unwrapped. Rather than allowing paper or a tied-up box to come between the giver and the receiver, a gift is handed over without secrecy. This “flesh-to-flesh connection” provides an enhanced sense of unity.

But if you must wrap, remember the 3 R’s: reduce, reuse, and recycle. Reduce waste by wrapping gifts within gifts. Reuse paper, bags, or other containers. Recycle by choosing wrapping materials that won’t end up in a landfill. (Most traditional gift wrap is not recyclable, due to its high metallic and dye content. Before buying, check the label or ask your retailer about it.)

The lists below will give you alternative suggestions for holiday wrapping.

Reduce (buy less, and consider the wrapping as part of the gift)

• Buckets or flower pots
• Suitcases
• Tablecloths, napkins, dish towels or pillowcases (secured with pretty ribbon)
• Canvas shopping bags
• Plastic storage containers or bins (food storage containers or clear plastic shoeboxes are especially practical)
• Hide the gift, unwrapped, and leave clues for a treasure hunt

Reuse (save and repurpose what you do purchase)

• Gently used wrapping paper
• Maps (check your car), blueprints, sheet music; or pages from books, catalogs or calendars
• Posters (ask your local video rental store for freebies)
• Kids’ artwork
• Paper gift bags, lunch bags, grocery bags or coffee bean bags (bags are great for wrapping odd-shaped gifts)
• Fabric gift bags
• Cereal boxes, tea bag boxes or other packaging, folded inside out or used as is
• Cardboard paper towel tubes
• Decorative tins
• Old curtains or clothes
• Bandanas or other small fabric remnants/scraps