Every year, huge amounts of Christmas wrapping paper ends up in landfill, as it is often made with a mix of materials or has shiny and metallic patterns printed on it. This festive season, lots of households will be opting for more eco-friendly alternatives, like fabric sheets, brown paper and reusable gift bags.
One mum has divided opinions online after sharing her idea to use aluminium tin foil this year instead of traditional wrapping paper, in a bid to be more eco-friendly. She hoped that it would appeal to her three-year-old child more and have less of an impact on the environment.
Though not everyone agrees and some people are saying it's simply 'ridiculous' and works out more expensive.
Writing on Mumsnet, the woman said: "I wasn't aware yesterday that a lot of wrapping paper can't be recycled and with Christmas coming up I don't want to use the stuff I'd normally get.
"The person who told me will be using brown paper and ribbons, which I'll probably do and have already been saving ideas from Pinterest.
"However, I also wondered about in foil as this can be recycled too and would be more eye-catching to my three-year-old.
"It also means no Sellotape is required. I'd make it look pretty with gift tags and ribbon."
Many people were quick to criticise the idea, noting that it wouldn't wrap as effectively.
"Just buy wrapping paper which can be recycled. Presents wrapped in tin foil will look ridiculous," someone said.
"I can't think that it is financially or environmentally sensible to use foil," a second commented.
While a third said: "I think it will look like leftovers under the tree, and it tears very easily too."
Though some people were amused and impressed, encouraging her to give tin foil a go.
"I use tissue paper and string. However we have received a tin foil-wrapped gift and it was very imaginatively done and made us laugh," a Mumsnet user said.
"It's probably not as environmental as using paper due to the processing involved to make and then reuse the foil."
Another recalled a Christmas morning where their presents were wrapped in tin foil that needed to be rinsed and used for the turkey.
"Just thinking about it now makes me smile," they said.
One supporter joked: "It was good enough for Smithy in Gavin and Stacey."
How do you wrap your Christmas presents? Let us know in the comments.
