4 DIY eco-friendly holiday gift tag ideas

By creating DIY holiday gift tags from natural, reused or recyclable materials, you can create memorable gifts that you (and your wallet) feel good about giving.

As the holidays approach, it can be overwhelming to consider the toll that gift giving takes on the environment. Why not make an effort to be more eco-friendly and save some money this season?

Do you own more ornaments than you can fit on your tree?

• Downsize your supply by re-purposing old ornaments—like colourful bulbs or quirky folk ornaments—as gift tags.
• Use twine, ribbon or yarn to tie the special charm to the gift.
• Be sure to write the recipient's name in a non-smudge marker on the ornament before affixing it.

Often, people struggle with what to do with holiday cards they have received from friends and family.

• The images on them, glittery and whimsical, are too beautiful to toss in the trash, but storing large piles of them can be bulky.
• Give the cards a second season to shine. Use scissors to cut circles around the most interesting designs, write in a gold pen on the back and use a hole punch to affix the tag to your gift with any string you have on hand.

This idea really puts the eco in eco-friendly.

• Instead of heading to the stores, head to your backyard and go on a nature hunt.
• Gather pine cones, evergreens, sticks and other interesting natural treasures.
• Choose one smooth piece (like a flat leaf) to write the recipient's name on, and tie the ensemble down on top of the box using twine.

A simple way to save money and reduce waste when it comes to gift tags is to skip the tag itself.

• Wrap the gift in simple brown paper and unleash your creativity by making the entire package the gift tag.
• Use something as simple as a pen, or as ambitious as paint, to inscribe the recipient's name on the package.

Tip: This is especially fun to do with children, whose artwork adds an extra special touch to the present.

While you may choose not to purchase gift tags simply to save money or reduce unnecessary waste, your family and friends will surely be able to pick your gifts out from the pile of plain adhesive gift tags, and marvel over your festive ingenuity.