The idea of mountains of wrapping paper heading for the bin on Christmas Day fill me with horror. Don't get me wrong, I love the idea of wrapped presents but all that waste paper is a terrible thing as most wrapping paper can't be recycled.
That's where the Japanese art of Furoshiki wrapping comes to the rescue in a flurry of fabric and twistiness.
Furoshiki is the art of wrapping a gift in a piece of fabric. It's a fun and pleasingly creative technique which results in stunning presents that it's almost a shame to open. Best of all there is nothing to throw away afterwards and your giftee gets a scarf or fabulous piece of fabric as well as the gift inside.
Not sure how? The folks at Recycle Now have created a simple Furoshiki gift wrapping how to video. Clever so and sos.
There are also more ways to wrap covered in this how to from the Ministry of the Environment Government of Japan.
[Gorgeous wrapped present image by Weekendknitter on Flickr]
