Wrapping Paper, 96

The Chinese have been wrapping gifts since 2nd Century B.C. although it is most commonly and ironically associate with modern day Christmas. These wrapped gifts were distributed to the royal Chinese court and government officials. While the original paper was made of rice and bamboo paper, today the Chinese use mass produced papers of red denoting luck. It wasn't until Christmas of 1917 when Rollie Hall marketed French papers used as envelope lining to be reinvented as wrapping paper. It is estimated that over 10 tons of wrapping paper refuse is generated on Christmas day alone.

While it is more common to recycle wrapping paper and purchase recycled paper, it is interesting how this custom came to be. The social conventions of American society prevent givers and consumers from simply handing unwrapped gift. Japan experienced these same customary pressures but eventually reinstated their historic Furoshiki. Instead of wrapping gifts of paper the Furoshiki is a decorative cloth bag for gift giving. 

Now if you've ever wrapped a gift you immediately understand the effort and energy that went into the presentation of this present. It is not fun nor easiy. While the present may have only cost $1.00 with beautiful paper and a lovely ribbon the gift can easily ascends social statuses. Take for example a stores packaging such as Tiffany & Co. blue and Hermes saffron, these gifts need no wrapping. While for the common gift giver there is a desire to hide the interior, prevent the receiver from automatically visualizing and identifying the gift. For example once as I child I received concert tickets but it wasn't until I dug through box after box to discover bricks and rocks, and fortunately later the greatest tickets ever. 

So tonight or tomorrow as you tear your way to tears, don't forget the effort and energy that sent into the wrapping. All the while please recycle.