michelle kaufmann designs

Instead, you can make your own wrapping paper out of alternative material that might otherwise go to waste. In years past, I have always purchased gift paper thinking it was the quickest way. This year, however, I decided to dive into my recycled paper bin and see what I could come up with. I never thought rummaging around in waste paper could be so fun! It actually didn’t take me any more time to compile and create my own paper than it would have taken me to go out and buy it. I also saved on gas, the cost of the wrapping, and the waste of the paper I ended up using. So here are a few ideas for greening your holiday wrapping by using:

1. Old sheet music
2. Fabric remnants
3. Colorful ads or photos torn from magazines and newspapers (travel, book review, and entertainment sections are usually great places to look in newspapers)
4. Homemade parchment paper: mix torn-up used paper with watered-down glue, spread it out onto wax paper, and lay flat until dry. (Finally, something useful to do with all those unsolicited credit card applications!) I recommend making sheets approximately 24” x 36” and mixing in dried flowers or glasses to add color.
5. If you’ve got it, old plot paper (we’ve definitely got it around our office and have had a lot of fun reusing it in the past)
6. Old sketches (that design that just wasn’t meant to be can find a new home under your tree this year)
7. Reusable gift bags
8. Paper from gifts you’ve received. Don’t like that it’s creased from its previous use? Try scrunching it up all over and then flattening it out for a very organic, textured look that is especially good with thick paper.
9. Old linens (pillow cases, sheets, etc.)