down with wrapping paper

If you're looking for ideas on how to wrap your xmas gifts this year without using wrapping paper, furoshiki is where it's at.

Furoshiki is a Japanese method of tying cloth in various ways to carry anything and everything - from boxes to bottles. It's a little like fabric origami, but with more practical uses.

The Japanese Ministry of the Environment created a helpful sheet on various ways to tie furoshiki, available as an image or a downloadable PDF.