“Green” Wrapping Paper

I have a love/hate relationship with wrapping paper. I cannot resist it, especially when I know the gifts I’m packaging are going to children, who love to tear into wrapping paper.

And yet, I know that chopping down trees to make shiny, non-recyclable paper that’ll only be used for one day and then trashed is the ultimate waste.

Last year, I compromised by buying brown butcher paper made of 100 percent post-consumer recycled content and then dressing it up with up-cycled ribbons and bows found at thrifts stores and in my mother’s sewing closet.

I continue to use those same ribbons and bow and, since that Isaac’s a bit older this year, I can dress up the paper itself as well.

I bought some nontoxic finger paint (you can look online for paints made from natural and/or organic materials or find recipes to make your own), cut some large sheets of butcher paper and let Isaac go to town.

The result? Beautiful, one-of-a-kind wrapping paper that is sure to end up in a frame post-Christmas. And, a happy, messy toddler.