Five things to do with holiday waste, from treecycling to new year organization

Creative ideas for gift wrap, packaging, the tree in your living room and more. Plus: how to store leftovers, and board game picks

Five things to do with holiday waste, from treecycling to new year organization

TL;DR

  • Repurpose wrapping paper scraps and holiday cards into gift tags or future gift wrap.
  • Transform gift boxes into drawer organizers or seasonal clothing storage.
  • Check grocery or big-box stores for recycling options for plastic film and bubble wrap.
  • Avoid 'wishcycling' by confirming an item's recyclability using online resources.
  • Consider creative uses for Christmas trees, such as consuming pine needles or treecycling for mulch.
  • Store holiday leftovers in smaller containers to prevent food waste.
  • DIYer gift ideas and expert-recommended family board games are also mentioned.
  • A list of banned books and reader-favorite products from the past year are highlighted.