Just use the box. It's OK. No one will mind. One cool idea is to wrap the box once around in each direction with ribbon (as you would do after using wrapping paper) but don't use the wrapping paper. Just add a bow, and it will look like a present, but it will generate a lot less waste.
You can even add bows to holiday shopping bags or gift boxes. Or wrap gifts in brown paper bags or newspaper. Use the cartoon section for brighter colors. If you are willing to have a little fun, gather up scraps of paper and tape, glue, foil, cardboard from cereal boxes, scraps of materials, bubble wrap, you name it, and glue it all to the side of the box! You can both get rid of this stuff, save a bunch of packaging, and delight the recipient of your gift!
You can also wrap gifts in festive holiday fabric, dishtowels or bandannas, which can simply be washed and reused. Give gifts in baskets, tins or jars. Save bows, ribbons and paper to reuse next year. Shred used wrapping paper to use as filler or instead of tissue. Buy recycled gift wrap. Write recipient's name on reusable wooden ornaments and use as a gift tag. If you buy gift wrap, look for recycled paper with the highest post-consumer content you can find.
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