Christmas Boxes And Wrappings

Traditions
Typography
  • Smaller Small Medium Big Bigger
  • Default Helvetica Segoe Georgia Times

Unnecessary for the Planet but Important for Humanity


Excessive and unnecessary boxes and wrappings used for gift packaging during the Christmas season have contributed to the deterioration of our planet's ecology. How did humanity reach such a degree of unconsciousness and attachment to the act of polluting consumerism, disregarding planetary consequences?

The custom of wrapping gifts dates back to ancient China, where paper was invented in the 2nd century BCE. During the Southern Song dynasty, monetary gifts were wrapped in paper, creating envelopes called chih pao.

Elsewhere, the tradition of wrapping gifts became popular in different times and places. In Victorian Britain, lace, ribbon, and elaborately decorated paper were commonly used. In 1917, Joyce and Rollie Hall, two brothers from Kansas City, popularized the use of envelope-lining paper as gift wrap.

The tradition of exchanging gifts at Christmas has roots in ancient times, such as Roman festivals. During the Saturnalia celebrations in ancient Rome, it was common to exchange gifts among friends and family. Thus, this custom is actually pagan and does not originate from the widely practiced Catholic religion in Mexico.

After Christmas celebrations, trash bins and bags are always full of wrapping paper, ribbons, and packaging. Most wrappings are made from mixed materials that are difficult to recycle, so they go straight to the landfill. Inorganic waste is one of the main threats to the environment. Fortunately, we often have the power to reduce its volume or eliminate its use altogether.

While the paper industry reduced its CO2 emissions by 9% per ton of paper produced between 2005 and 2015, the 2011 Cepi Sustainability analysis states that the origin of gift wrap is uncertain.

This means it is impossible to guarantee that its manufacturing process complies with FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certification or a sustainable production chain. In light of this, the WWF recommends substituting wrapping paper with newspapers, which have a much lower environmental impact than previously believed.

What Can We Do in Puerto Vallarta?
To avoid or significantly reduce the waste problems caused by gift wrappings during Christmas, consider these tips:

Avoid using wrapping paper this Christmas. Think about the benefits of this action—not only will you reduce waste, but you will also avoid contributing to the planet’s pollution.

Creative Alternatives to Wrap Your Gifts

If you feel that not wrapping gifts dims the magic of surprise for children, here are some eco-friendly ideas:

Reuse Gift Wraps: Save and reuse the paper or gift bags from last year. Encourage children to open their presents carefully to extend the paper's lifespan.

Use Newspapers or Recycled Paper: Create unique designs with brushes and watercolors to personalize the wrapping.

Wrap with Old Fabrics: Use old curtains, unused clothing, cloth napkins, or tablecloths to wrap gifts.

Give Two Gifts in One: Buy a beautiful scarf (fular) to wrap the gift. Your loved one will surely appreciate the dual-purpose gift.

After Christmas

To minimize environmental damage after the holidays, consider the following strategies:

Separate waste into two types: Solid Waste and Organic Waste.

Save gift wrappings for next year.

Repurpose boxes for household tasks, such as small storage containers.

Collect damaged boxes and paper to deliver to the Garbage Collection Service in labeled sacks for appropriate recycling.

The responsibility of preserving a clean planet for future generations rests with all of us. With the new Garbage Collection Service in Puerto Vallarta, we all have the opportunity to fulfill our environmental commitments and protect our natural surroundings.
envolturas navideñas