Christmas, according to tradition, is the “happiest time of the year.” But while the season fills our hearts and tummies with gifts and feasts, studies show that the holidays generate among the highest waste of the year — from packaging to unwanted presents and discarded trees, churning out billions in wasted resources ending up in landfills.

To make sure that the holidays are indeed merry not only to people, but also to the planet, sustainable practices, such as creating gifts using upcycled materials, are encouraged.

As for packaging, a sustainable way to wrap gifts is through the Japanese art of Furoshiki.

Hotel Okura Manila, in its holiday brochure, described Furoshiki as “a traditional Japanese wrapping cloth that can be reused multiple times and in a multitude of different applications.” According to the Japanese-themed hotel, a way to use Furoshiki is as a sustainable way to wrap gifts.

According to the hotel, these are the steps to do otsukai tsutsumi or basic carrying wrap, the Furoshiki way:
Place your object in the middle of the cloth and pull the cloth farthest away from you over the object. Tuck the remaining fabric neatly underneath.
Now take the corner closest to you and lay it over the fabric. Leave that corner untucked. 
Pull out the two folded corners on your left and right, and bring them together.
Now, tie it in a bow. 
“We think this is much prettier than wrapping paper and it’s sustainable, too!” noted the hotel, which practices the Furoshiki wrapping technique as part of Newport World Resorts’ “I Love Earth” integrated sustainability program.

“One of the pillars of ‘I Love Earth’ is promoting sustainable culinary practices through healthy and responsible sourcing that prioritizes local products,” the hotel added.

For Christmas and New Year in Manila, the hotel offers feasts and celebrations that nod to Japanese auspicious traditions.

Traditionally enjoyed on New Year’s Day in Japan, osechi ryouri is shared by families as part of the celebration. A standard two-tier set, known as Nijubako, is typically served to three to four people. While a three-tier set, called Sanjubako, is often reserved for larger families or presented as luxurious gifts to friends or clients.

Each box of osechi ryouri is filled with carefully-prepared dishes made from fine ingredients, many carrying symbolic meanings as lucky charms — all offered with the hope for health, happiness and prosperity in the new year ahead.

Osechi dishes are layered in jubako, symbolizing prosperity and happiness in the new year ahead. Osechi sets will be released on 31 December from 2 to 5 p.m. at Yamazato, second floor of Hotel Okura Manila.

Set within the Resorts World Manila shopping and entertainment complex, Hotel Okura Manila is a chic, high-end hotel that is only a kilometer away from Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

At Hotel Okura Manila, share a meaningful holiday with your loved ones without leaving Manila. The Michelin-recognized luxury hotel offers 185 spacious rooms and suites, and a variety of dining options, including their signature Japanese fine-dining restaurant, Yamazato, and international restaurant Yawaragi.