“In Their Expert Opinion” features three bloggers who bring special expertise on living a natural lifestyle to The Clear Conscience Blog. Each month, we’ll share tips and advice on how to live a little greener from a few of our favorite experts.

By Lori Popkewitz Alper, GroovyGreenLivin.com

[Photo used under Creative Commons from Kevin Dooley/Flickr]

The holidays are rapidly approaching and most of us have piles of gifts waiting to be wrapped. Wrapping presents can be a lot of fun, but it also is a wasteful part of gift-giving. As much as half of the 85 million tons of paper products Americans consume every year goes toward packaging, wrapping and decorating. This year reduce your gift wrapping waste by recycling and reusing items from around the house.

Here are a few eco-friendly gift wrapping ideas to help you out:

1.     CHILDREN’S ART

Most children love to draw, paint and color. Using their artwork for wrapping paper is the perfect way to show off their masterpieces. Every piece of art is unique and will add a whole new dimension to the thoughtful gift lying underneath. 

2.     MAGAZINES AND NEWSPAPER

This is one of my favorites for wrapping a gift. Before the newspaper or magazines hit the recycle bin why not give them one more use? If the black and white print is too boring for you break out a few markers or crayons and add some color to the repurposed newspaper. The Sunday funnies are perfect for a fun, colorful wrap.  

3.     PAPER SHOPPING BAGS

Brown paper shopping bags have so many great uses-wrapping paper is one of the many. Cut through the sides of the bag and make a simple sheet of paper to wrap your gifts. If you want to add some color to the brown canvas, add stickers and drawings of your favorite holiday icons.

4.     FABRIC

Fabric remnants can be used to make reusable gift bags or wrapping paper. Fabric bags are gifts that keep on giving since they will be used again and again and won’t leave behind a trail of waste.

5.     OLD CALENDARS

The calendars come fast and furiously in the mail this time of year. Save your old calendars for next year’s wrapping paper. Each sheet of paper is the perfect size for a smaller gift.

What eco-friendly ideas do you have to wrap your gifts?

Disclosure: The bloggers featured in the Clear Conscience Blog “In Their Expert Opinion” series have received product samples and compensation from Watkins, Inc.