Happy new year gifts 2020 ! While there are a few things to look forward to in this coming decade—including new TikTok videos, the possibility of Shawn Mendes dropping a clothing line, and whatever Kendall Roy has up his sleeve for Succession season 3—there are also some key moments to leave behind, like the time Fergie sang the national anthem, most of the final season of Game of Thrones, and basically our entire political landscape. And while I hate to be a Debbie Downer, there is some somber news to take with us into the new year: The past decade has been the warmest one on record. In the words of USA Today, “It’s only going to get warmer.”
I don’t pretend to be an environmentalist or even a halfway responsible person. As I write this, a takeout container half full of drunken noodles looks at me with suspicion. The plastic fork it came with, still clinging onto a gross little carrot strip, lies a few feet away. Around the corner, a flattened cardboard box snickers through its Amazon prime logo. Yes: I am part of the reason that Florida will soon cease to be, which is pretty devastating because it is where they film MTV spinoff show The Floribama Shore—a show with an identical premise to The Jersey Shore except on a beach that stretches from Florida to Alabama. If it were to be eliminated, how else would eight camera-friendly 20-somethings find love?
But in all seriousness, this is not coming from a place of I’m-better-than-you but a place of I-see-you—and we have to do better. As ever, this new year is an opportunity to start thinking about the little ways we can make a difference. And the good news is, you don’t have to wait until New Year’s Day! So, in the name of The Floribama Shore, here is a roundup of a few eco-conscious ways to wrap gifts this holiday season.
Furoshiki
Furoshiki refers to a type of Japanese wrapping cloth that dates back to the seventh century. According to assorted internet blogs, furoshiki was originally used to wrap things that were brought to and from local bathhouses. This is probably why the word itself translates to “bath spread.” This helpful blog gives you the measurements for a traditional furoshiki cloth and walks you through the best wrapping methods. Also, Etsy has some pretty nice cloths that claim to be of the furoshiki variety.
Cloth in General
If furoshiki is a bit daunting, you can wrap your gifts with other types of cloth, and in your own way. You can find reasonably priced cloth at craft stores, traditional fabric-by-the-yard stores, and even at superstores like Walmart. Also, chances are that you have leftover cloth in your home that you can use. Consider repurposing thrift store scarves, unused dish towels, or one of the many branded totes that pile up by your front door.
If there is not a single stitch of extra fabric in your home, Salter House sells these lovely Japanese Tea Towels that could make for a nice wrapping situation. Package Free sells reasonably priced cotton bags that can double as gift pouches. Baggu has a whole tutorial (scroll down!) on how to wrap with their very cute bags. This way, even if your gift stinks (but please, let us help you avoid that fate), your giftee can reuse the bags to carry produce and other items.
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Wrappily
If your holiday would be incomplete without paper that is covered in dizzying snowflake and candy cane prints, try Wrappily. The company prints a ton of cute designs (including your typical Christmas gifts -y ones) on newsprint, which is the same wood pulp–based material that newspapers use. According to the site, newsprint can be recycled up to seven times, uses less energy to produce, and supports local news presses. Unlike a lot of other eco-friendly companies, Wrappily’s stuff is super affordable, and some of their patterns are on sale right now for $9.99.
Nashville Wraps
Not to be confused with Nashville, the bachelorette party destination du jour, Nashville Wraps makes wrapping paper out of paper that has already been recycled. In addition to selling wrapping paper, boxes, and bags, it sells tissue paper, raffia ribbon, basket shreds, pull bows, and all of the things you need to prove your holiday acumen by gifting as aggressively as possible. Also, this mail order company does customize wholesale prints, so if your family is the size of a small island population, Nashville Wraps is definitely the way to go. Paper Source also sells recycled paper (look out for the “eco-white” designation).
Shrooms
But not that kind. Mushroom Packaging makes packing materials out of those wrinkly old mushrooms you see at Trader Joe’s before thinking “ew” and moving on to the avocado! The process seems complicated—something about “mycelium and the agricultural byproduct of hemp”—but the important thing is that they’re saving the planet and making good use out of mushrooms, which literally nobody eats. (Editor’s note: Mushroom opinions are writer’s own and not the official stance of Clever.) My favorite thing on the site is a $10 wine display container, perfect for letting your guests know you have great taste in grapes—and mushrooms. Mushroom Packaging can be broken apart and composted at home, along with the arugula you’d promised to eat instead of sugar cookies.
Use What You Have
This isn’t really a gift wrapping option, either; more of a common-sense solution. But my grandmother always said that common sense isn’t common at all, so here we are. If your gift is small, like a few makeup items, consider artfully arranging them in a simple glass vase. TreeHugger suggests repurposing a terra-cotta pot. If you have a couple of baskets laying around, you could use those. Be creative!
…Well, that’s all folks! Some of this really seems like a lot, so maybe just don’t do gifts at all this year? Just kidding; you’ll probably lose all of your family and friends if you do that. However you end up going about it, just remember that the fate of Florida is in your hands and act accordingly. Happy holidays!
source - https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/eco-conscious-gift-wrap
I don’t pretend to be an environmentalist or even a halfway responsible person. As I write this, a takeout container half full of drunken noodles looks at me with suspicion. The plastic fork it came with, still clinging onto a gross little carrot strip, lies a few feet away. Around the corner, a flattened cardboard box snickers through its Amazon prime logo. Yes: I am part of the reason that Florida will soon cease to be, which is pretty devastating because it is where they film MTV spinoff show The Floribama Shore—a show with an identical premise to The Jersey Shore except on a beach that stretches from Florida to Alabama. If it were to be eliminated, how else would eight camera-friendly 20-somethings find love?
But in all seriousness, this is not coming from a place of I’m-better-than-you but a place of I-see-you—and we have to do better. As ever, this new year is an opportunity to start thinking about the little ways we can make a difference. And the good news is, you don’t have to wait until New Year’s Day! So, in the name of The Floribama Shore, here is a roundup of a few eco-conscious ways to wrap gifts this holiday season.
Furoshiki
Furoshiki refers to a type of Japanese wrapping cloth that dates back to the seventh century. According to assorted internet blogs, furoshiki was originally used to wrap things that were brought to and from local bathhouses. This is probably why the word itself translates to “bath spread.” This helpful blog gives you the measurements for a traditional furoshiki cloth and walks you through the best wrapping methods. Also, Etsy has some pretty nice cloths that claim to be of the furoshiki variety.
Cloth in General
If furoshiki is a bit daunting, you can wrap your gifts with other types of cloth, and in your own way. You can find reasonably priced cloth at craft stores, traditional fabric-by-the-yard stores, and even at superstores like Walmart. Also, chances are that you have leftover cloth in your home that you can use. Consider repurposing thrift store scarves, unused dish towels, or one of the many branded totes that pile up by your front door.
If there is not a single stitch of extra fabric in your home, Salter House sells these lovely Japanese Tea Towels that could make for a nice wrapping situation. Package Free sells reasonably priced cotton bags that can double as gift pouches. Baggu has a whole tutorial (scroll down!) on how to wrap with their very cute bags. This way, even if your gift stinks (but please, let us help you avoid that fate), your giftee can reuse the bags to carry produce and other items.
WATCH
Inside John Stamos's $5.8M Beverly Hills House
MORE ARCHITECTURAL DIGEST VIDEOS
Most Popular
CLEVER
Which Streaming Service Is Right for You?
By Jessica Wang
CLEVER
We’re Loving Glossier’s Floral-Covered London Pop-Up
By Kristen Bateman
CLEVER
Acne Studios’ New Brutalist HQ Is Our Ultimate Design Inspiration
By Kristen Bateman
Wrappily
If your holiday would be incomplete without paper that is covered in dizzying snowflake and candy cane prints, try Wrappily. The company prints a ton of cute designs (including your typical Christmas gifts -y ones) on newsprint, which is the same wood pulp–based material that newspapers use. According to the site, newsprint can be recycled up to seven times, uses less energy to produce, and supports local news presses. Unlike a lot of other eco-friendly companies, Wrappily’s stuff is super affordable, and some of their patterns are on sale right now for $9.99.
Nashville Wraps
Not to be confused with Nashville, the bachelorette party destination du jour, Nashville Wraps makes wrapping paper out of paper that has already been recycled. In addition to selling wrapping paper, boxes, and bags, it sells tissue paper, raffia ribbon, basket shreds, pull bows, and all of the things you need to prove your holiday acumen by gifting as aggressively as possible. Also, this mail order company does customize wholesale prints, so if your family is the size of a small island population, Nashville Wraps is definitely the way to go. Paper Source also sells recycled paper (look out for the “eco-white” designation).
Shrooms
But not that kind. Mushroom Packaging makes packing materials out of those wrinkly old mushrooms you see at Trader Joe’s before thinking “ew” and moving on to the avocado! The process seems complicated—something about “mycelium and the agricultural byproduct of hemp”—but the important thing is that they’re saving the planet and making good use out of mushrooms, which literally nobody eats. (Editor’s note: Mushroom opinions are writer’s own and not the official stance of Clever.) My favorite thing on the site is a $10 wine display container, perfect for letting your guests know you have great taste in grapes—and mushrooms. Mushroom Packaging can be broken apart and composted at home, along with the arugula you’d promised to eat instead of sugar cookies.
Use What You Have
This isn’t really a gift wrapping option, either; more of a common-sense solution. But my grandmother always said that common sense isn’t common at all, so here we are. If your gift is small, like a few makeup items, consider artfully arranging them in a simple glass vase. TreeHugger suggests repurposing a terra-cotta pot. If you have a couple of baskets laying around, you could use those. Be creative!
…Well, that’s all folks! Some of this really seems like a lot, so maybe just don’t do gifts at all this year? Just kidding; you’ll probably lose all of your family and friends if you do that. However you end up going about it, just remember that the fate of Florida is in your hands and act accordingly. Happy holidays!
source - https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/eco-conscious-gift-wrap
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