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Is There a Better Way to Wrap Our Gifts?

Some people think wrapping paper is wasteful. Is it time to start a new gift-wrapping tradition? 

Image of person wearing fuzzy yellow sweater and smiling while holding a present

Shutterstock.com 

    When you think of presents, you probably picture boxes of all shapes and sizes. They’re wrapped in bright, shiny paper. Each one is tied up with a colorful bow. 

    Today, Americans spend billions of dollars on wrapping paper each year. But some people think wrapping paper is a waste. After all, it’s meant to be ripped off and thrown away.  

    Is it time to rethink the way we wrap gifts?

The History of Wrap

Image of a trash can filled with ripped wrapping paper

Nicola Tree/Getty Images

A Big Problem
Americans create 25% more trash between Thanksgiving and New Year’s than at any other time of year. 

    People have been wrapping gifts for a long time. About 2,000 years ago in Korea, presents were covered in colorful cloth. Not long after, paper was invented in China. There, it was used for wrapping gifts of money. 

    Gift wrap came to America in the 1800s. Back then, it was just for rich people. But in 1917, two brothers started selling wrapping paper at their store in Missouri. It cost only 10 cents a sheet.

    This new item sold out right away. Clearly, people loved giving and receiving gifts covered in beautiful paper! Before long, gift wrap spread across the U.S. Now it’s a special holiday tradition. 

A Personal Touch

    But some people believe we should change that tradition. Why? They say that buying wrapping paper can be bad for the planet. 

    Trees create homes for animals and help clean the air. Every year, billions of trees are cut down around the world. Many of them are used to create paper products like wrapping paper. Plus, about 2.3 million pounds of gift wrap is tossed in the trash every year. Much of that can’t be recycled because it’s coated in plastic or glitter.

    So instead of buying wrapping paper, why not create your own? 

    You can draw on old newspaper or use colorful paper scraps from your recycling bin. 

    This adds a more personal touch—without creating more trash.

Image of gifts wrapped in paper and newsprint

Shutterstock.com 

One Solution
Make your own recycled gift wrap! You can use old newspaper or paper scraps.

More Time

    The idea of creating your own wrapping paper is nice. But you already spent time finding the perfect present. Why spend more time making your own wrapping?

    Besides, you can buy wrapping paper and still care for the planet. Just unwrap your gifts carefully. Then you can reuse the paper instead of tossing it in the trash. 

    You can also choose wrapping paper that’s made from recycled materials. That way, you know no new trees were cut down to make it. 

    So what do you think? Should we stop buying wrapping paper and find a new way to wrap gifts instead? 

ACTIVITY: 
Should We Stop Buying Wrapping Paper?

What to do: Use evidence from the article to support each side of this debate. Write the information on a separate sheet of paper.

Yes! It’s such a waste.

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No. Keep on wrapping! 

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Leveled Articles (2)
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Higher Level: Is There a Better Way to Wrap Our Gifts?

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Lower Level: Is There a Better Way to Wrap Our Gifts?

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