We're almost there... Christmas, with the gifts and the wrapping and the unwrapping and then the trash. :/

I buy fewer physical gifts these days than I used to as I prefer to give my time, experiences or consumables (like our awesome honey!). But there are still a few occasions (like Christmas for nieces and nephews) where I'm not ready to give up wrapped gifts all together. I now produce less waste around the holidays but I'm still not up to Bea's amazing zero-waste standards.

My family has always been creative when it comes to gift wrap. My dad once even wrapped a guitar case like a giant snowman and had everyone fooled! So I grew up with and cherish the thoughtful presentation of gifts, but I also don't want to purchase, store and discard all of the gift wrapping supplies. Instead, I give you...

My Lean Wrapping Essentials:

1. One small exception to my paperless home is a roll of recycled brown paper that I use for wrapping, packing, and shipping. Brown paper can be used for any holiday, can be decorated or drawn on in any way, and is both 100% recycled and 100% recyclable! Oh, and it's like $5 and lasts me at least two years. Win win win.

2. I also keep a spool or two of real ribbon on hand... usually in a color that I can use at Christmas and throughout the year like green, red, gold, silver, blue or white. The ribbon dresses up any wrapped box and can easily be reused.