Pulling some shiny wrapping paper off the shelf can be an impersonal touch to a carefully picked gift.  But there are more and more options to make the outside as individualized as inside.  Try silken banana paper, recycled paper, or hemp paper.  Magazines, paper bags, and newspapers can also be turned into great wrapping paper.  It could have pictures and messages on it just for your friend. 

And these options save trees that would otherwise be cut down just for paper that’s thrown out shortly after unwrapping.

-Jess

'Tis the season for letting friends know that you think they're awesome.  So what can you do this holiday season?  Send an ecard.  It can be scheduled to arrive exactly on time and it’s free.  Plus, the selection is staggering.  Finding the perfect card is just a Google search away.  Here are some of our favorites:

• Some eCards – For cards with a more sarcastic humor, pick one from this ecard company who’s slogan is, "When you care enough to hit send."
• Music Gram – Send holiday music via email with mp3 music grams.  It has original songs perfect for any music fan.
• Simpsonize Me – Use a picture and turn you, or your friend, into a Simpson character.  Then send it along with a message.  It may not be Christmas-y, but it's still totally worth sending.

-Jess

I'm tired of hearing what we shouldn't do for the sake of the environment. MTV SWITCH is here to share what we can do. Namely, living life to its fullest and still keeping the planet cool. It's our world, so let’s be nice to it…our way.

Fashion, music, technology, and entertainment can all be part of the effort to reduce our collective carbon footprint. There's lots of great eco-friendly gear to keep you up on the latest style and climate-change conscious too, it's a no-brainer! You can enjoy the MTV lifestyle and still be nice to Mother Earth. Keep checking out this blog as my team and I find and share the cutting edge of environmental products and news.

-John