This Sunday we had thrown a party for my infant daughter. Besides blessings from everyone, she received lots of gifts. Packed gifts. While unpacking them, what struck me was the sheer wastage of the wrapping papers and ribbons used to decorate the gift boxes. And all the wrapping papers were made of plastic rather than paper, as the name might suggest. That set me thinking – can we do away with plastic gift wrappers altogether.

It’s neither as easy as it sounds nor difficult to execute. Anything that is so entrenched in social psyche cannot be weaned off easily. There are quite a few problems associated with the idea of doing away with the plastic gift wrappers.

Substitute with wrapping “papers”

We should start using paper gift wrappers rather than the plastic ones. The plastic gift wrappers are more easily available in the market, in more designs and colors and definitely cheaper. But if we make it a habit to go for paper wrappers, we will be able to find what we want. As more and more people ask for them, the sellers will find it viable to stock them.

Use paper bags

We can use reusable and recyclable paper bags to put our gifts. We can buy from the market or get creative and make ourselves. Beautiful hand-made papers are available in the market, which can be used to make the bags. It will definitely be more expensive but everything comes at a price. And if we can avoid use of plastics in any way, the price we pay is cheap according to me. You can write “Don’t Use Plastics” at the bottom of the bag for that added effect and to spread the message.

Best out of waste

If you have to gift wrap a big box, not using plastic wrapping paper could be cumbersome and tedious. But here is an innovative idea to help you. Cover the box with white newspaper. Avoid bold and colorful advertisements. Then, using a thick marker, make bold motifs all over the newspaper. Stick a flag to indicate who the gift is from.

Initially, our gift wrapping ideas could draw shocked reactions from people; some things are so much a part of our life that we never think of straying away from them. But once they get used to it, they might even begin to appreciate it as well. And our real success will come if even one family adopts the idea. I have vowed to do so from now on in spite of resistance from my family members. I hope some of you will do the same. Good luck to us.