Americans generate 25 percent more garbage than average – an extra 1 million tons a week – during the holidays, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Most of that waste is gift wrap and bags. In fact, the amount of ribbon thrown away each year alone is enough to tie a bow around the Earth.

Many crafters offer classes on how to creatively wrap beautiful gifts using Earth-friendly materials. They say forgoing traditional wrapping paper doesn’t mean you have to be a Scrooge and skip the wrapping altogether. Rather, it’s an opportunity to create one-of-a-kind gifts.

Stamp it pretty. Kristin Knych is a member of Local Produce, a Minneapolis print and pattern design company, and uses its screen-printed paper as a gift wrap. The same look can be achieved by stamping, painting or drawing on any kind of paper. If you have children, have them decorate the paper with finger paints. Consider recyclable options, such as newsprint, butcher wrap or brown paper grocery bags.

Think outside the box. When looking for a box for your gifts, check the kitchen pantry. Minneapolis crafter Anne Lies turned a cereal box inside out. Clean takeout containers, shoeboxes and even a Pringles can will also store gifts nicely.

All in the details. A piece of jewelry can add sparkle to the outside of a package. Crafters Jessica Kesterson and Amanda Rydel enhance gifts with touches of whimsy, including doilies, a rhinestone brooch from the thrift store and clothespins to attach homemade gift tags. Other Earth-friendly wrapping: pages from an old dictionary or calendar, blueprint paper, newspapers or sheet music.

Skip the paper altogether. What kid wouldn’t want to find a bubble-wrapped gift under the tree? Other non-paper wrapping options include fabric scraps, aluminum foil, burlap or tea towels.