This snowman activity provides a fun and easy way to wrap presents without using wrapping paper, ribbon or bows. Reduce your environmental footprint and have fun building a snowman that will look great under the Christmas tree.

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I'm dreaming of a 'green' Christmas. How 'bout you?

We generally think of a green Christmas as one without snow. But being 'green' also refers to reducing, reusing and recycling.

Gift wrapping takes a lot of time and care, and a lot of supplies like paper and tape.

Much of what we wrap with ends up in the landfill.

We created a snowman with the presents we would normally wrap in boxes and gift bags.

This snowman craft not only solves the wrapping issue, it makes a cute decoration under the Christmas tree.

Related: Eco Friendly Gift Wrapping Ideas

Snowman gift wrap activity

In this snowman activity we suggest a fun way to avoid expensive and wasteful wrapping and trimmings.

Here are some other easy suggestions for reducing waste to make Christmas just a little greener.

• Reuse gift bags and wrapping paper.

• Make your own bows.

• Make your own gifts.

Supplies for eco-friendly gift wrap

• white bath towel

• white hand towel

• socks or scarf

• toque

Supplies will vary according to the gifts you are giving. You can replace towels with white pillow cases or sheets. 

All the items that help build the snowman are gifts, both inside and out. 

Instructions for gift wrapping activity

1. Wrap a large bath towel around a sweater or blanket or other large soft item. Shape the bundle into a round ball for the body of the snowman.

• We wrapped a sweater with a large white towel for the body of the snowman.
  
  
• A white sweater can be used in place of the towel to build the outside part of the body of the snowman.

2. Wrap a hand towel around a t-shirt, facecloths or other smaller soft items. Shape into a ball and place on top of the body of the snowman.

• We wrapped facecloths inside a matching white hand towel for the head.

Since we were only using two towels for each snowman, the second bundle became the head. 

If you have other items to wrap you can stack three round bundles for your snowman.

3. Add a scarf and a winter toque.

• We made the scarf by joining two socks at the toes with a safety pin. 

4. Add facial features.

• Cut buttons and facial features from felt. The felt pieces stay in place on the towel without glue, so they can be easily removed when it's time to unwrap the snowman!

This could easily become a new gift-wrapping tradition for the whole family to enjoy.

It's fun to design and create the snowman, and you'll save a lot of waste from paper and tape and bows.

What other characters or props can you build with Christmas gifts?

More gift wrap ideas