As the countdown to Christmas approaches, we cannot help but begin to get swept up in the merriment and festivities. The thought of spending time with our loved ones, the smell of a nut roast and roast potatoes spilling out of the kitchen, the cozy evenings by the fireplace, and of course, the presents under the tree. The act of giving gifts is synonymous with the festive season, whether it be a gimmicky Secret Santa with colleagues or big splurge on something super special for our nearest and dearest. Whilst the nature of gifting varies depending on who we’re buying for and the occasion itself, there is one commonality shared across all presents. That is, of course, gift wrapping.
Many ancient cultures celebrated various holidays that involved the giving of gifts. The desire to hide the identity of a gift until just the right moment led to people begin wrapping them. Historians believe wrapping gifts in paper probably started not long after paper was invented thousands of years ago (ChildrensMuseum.org).
We need a new approach to this old tradition
We all love traditions, especially at Christmas time, and unwrapping presents is one of our collective favourites but it’s also one of the most wasteful, with us Brits binning 108 million rolls of wrapping paper each year (GWP Group)! On top of that, a lot of wrapping paper (despite ‘paper’ being in the name), is not actually recyclable. So, whilst we may wishfully put our wrapping in our recycling bins, it’s important to remember that much commercial wrapping paper is often dyed, laminated and/or contains non-paper additives such as gold and silver coloured shapes, glitter, plastics and so on, which cannot be recycled. A lot of wrapping paper also has sticky tape attached to it which again makes it very difficult to recycle (Recycle).
We believe it’s time to adopt a new approach to this old tradition and opt for sustainable gift-wrapping alternatives. Eco-friendly gift wrapping is the perfect way to sprinkle some sustainable Christmas magic into your gift-giving this year and it doesn’t mean your tree’s or stocking’s have to look plain and boring either. From reusable fabric wraps, to recycled and recyclable Christmas gift wrap, right here at Veo, we offer a range of eco-friendly wrapping solutions to fully enjoy the act of giving and receiving gifts, without the waste or eco guilt.
Fabric gift wrap
Join the reuse revolution with beautifully illustrated, reusable fabric gift wrap for every occasion. FabRaps are ethically made from 100% certified organic cotton. Zero waste and multi-purpose, these gift wraps are usable time and again to delight and enhance the act of giving. The very best alternative to throw-away paper to treasure and pass on to cherished family and friends, or to keep forever.
FabRap believes in cherishing the art, tradition and emotion of gift-giving. They just prefer to do it without wasting our Earth’s precious resources. You can either give a FabRap as part of your gift, or you can ask for it back to reuse again for another gifting occasion. To make this easier, they include a ‘give-back’ or ‘keep’ card that you can include with your gift to instruct your recipient on what you had intended – and keep the guess work out of the process altogether.
The best part about this wrap is that its use is not just restricted to Christmas time. FabRap’s come in a huge variety of prints and colours that can be used for all occasions, all year round, saving you £££ in the long run on wrapping paper, whilst drastically eliminating paper waste.
Lokta paper gift wrap
Lokta paper itself is handmade using the sustainable bark from the Lokta shrub, found in the Himalayas, which naturally sheds its bark every year and continues to grow, so harvesting the bark does not damage the plant. It is harvested by the locals, turned into paper and dyed using natural dyes, so is a natural, renewable source. It is certified Fair Trade by the World Trade Organisation, supporting the local communities that produce the paper through trade. Not to mention the beautiful range of colours and prints!
How will your paper be sent? 1 to 5 sheets are neatly folded, or select the postage upgrade at checkout to have it sent rolled in a tube, 6 or more sheets are sent rolled in a tube as standard (no need to select the postage upgrade, free to UK).
Recycled gift wrap
Printed with vegetable based inks on 100gsm paper, Happywrap’s recycled gift wraps won’t tear easily when wrapping your gifts and each sheet purchased includes two recycled card gift tags in matching design. PS. your order will be shipped in entirely plastic free packaging, using recycled or recyclable cardboard boxes to ensure the whole process is as eco-friendly as possible.
This Christmas, there’s no time to waste
Whilst excess food (and drink), is acceptable at Christmas time, excess waste is not. In fact, we shouldn’t accept waste as a society at all. Doing what we can to minimise our waste at Christmas is vital.
As the old saying goes, what goes around comes around, so give a reusable wrap with your next gift and it will pass on from person to person, around family and friends, spreading a smile on its way and will most likely make its way back to you! Meanwhile, by opting for sustainably made and recycled paper, you’re helping to reduce the need for harmful production methods and the need for virgin resources.
After all, there is no greater gift to give or receive than a healthy, clean and thriving planet.