It's tempting to spend on cards and wrapping paper at Christmas, but it doesn't do the planet any favors. Enterprising gift-wrapping in recycled or reusable products are a kinder option. Here are five simple wraps with recycling in mind. With a little imagination, you can make them your own.

1. RECYCLED PAPER AND ONE-STEP BOXES

Good for: Keeping it simple. Rather than opt for shiny patterns on virgin paper, go for simple, recyclable materials. Choose white or brown wrapping paper and plain boxes. Boxes come in one piece and assemble in seconds. They're smart, stylish and can be easily jazzed up with colorful ribbons, decals or your own designs. Unlike Santa-studded gift-wrapping, white paper can be used beyond the holidays.

Time involved: Depends on how much ribbon you use!

Where to get them: Large and small plain white boxes at Ben Franklin from 50 cents. Rolls of paper at USPS, Hardware Hawaii, Longs Drugs from $2.99.

2.TIN CONTAINERS

Good for: Filling with cookies, toiletries, sewing notions, craft items, Hot Wheels cars, or collections of almost anything. A secure fastening and handle keeps the lid firmly closed.

Time involved: Under 5 minutes.

Where to get them: Small, medium and large tin containers start at $4.99, from a selection at Ben Franklin.

3. NEWSPRINT

Good for: Wrapping books. Choose a theme, for example, for crossword lovers, copy and enlarge a newspaper crossword to 11- by 17-inches to wrap a puzzle book. Wrap travel books in maps with a luggage label, cookery books in wall charts or recipes. The comics pages, especially the double spread of Sunday Comics, are great for wrapping kids' items.

Time involved: 5 to 10 minutes.

Where to get it: It's in your hands.

4. HOUSEHOLD LINENS

Good for: Multipurposing, since the wrapping material can be reused as a gift itself. Wrap a small gift such as Tutu's favorite jam in a pretty table napkin, or wrap a set of six napkins in one. Wrap a fresh loaf of bread for a party hostess in a new apron. Or give a bottle of wine wrapped in a festive dishtowel (add a wine cork for good measure). "Good taste and tastes good."

Time involved: Under 5 minutes.

Where to get them: Table napkins $3.50 each at Pier 1. Dishtowels $9.95, Island Treasures, Under a Hula Moon.

5. FABRIC BAGS

Good for: Reusing material on hand, and holding pretty much anything. The relaxed nature of fabric bags lend themselves to all shapes and sizes. Add a festive ribbon and you're done.

Time involved: 2 minutes.

Where to get them: Elizabeth Kent recycles old kimono into beautiful gift bags, $3 each, $5 for two at Balcony gallery, Kailua, and Na Mea's gallery at the Hawai'i State Art Museum. Or, make your own.

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Eco-friendly Christmas gifts..