# Burning wrapping paper

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/burning-wrapping-paper/644763>\
**Category:** Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports\
**Created:** [December 21, 2012, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/burning-wrapping-paper/644763 "2012-12-21T18:03:59Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![ksweetman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/8e7dd6/32.png) [@ksweetman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ksweetman)\
**Post date:** [December 21, 2012, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/burning-wrapping-paper/644763/1 "2012-12-21T18:03:59Z")

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Dear Cecil,  
The subject of burning wrapping paper and Christmas trees in wood stoves once led to one of my favorite headlines in my local newspaper: “Don’t Burn Tree, Wrap in Stove.”

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**Author:** ![Michael63129](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3da27b/32.png) [@Michael63129](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Michael63129)\
**Post date:** [December 21, 2012, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/burning-wrapping-paper/644763/2 "2012-12-21T21:15:18Z")

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You forgot to link to the column in question, which I assume is this one:

> **[Why is it dangerous to burn wrapping paper?](https://www.straightdope.com/21343801/why-is-it-dangerous-to-burn-wrapping-paper)**

Which says that burning wrapping paper and Christmas trees may end up burning your house, although I suppose you could wet them first since moisture content is the issue, not saying you should do it.

Also, [here](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsaLCdC3iWw) is a dramatic video of how fast a dry Christmas tree can catch fire - 5 seconds to turn into a raging inferno.

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**Author:** ![Powers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/edb3f5/32.png) [@Powers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Powers)\
**Post date:** [December 28, 2012, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/burning-wrapping-paper/644763/3 "2012-12-28T02:53:00Z")

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> [@Michael63129](#):
>
> since moisture content is the issue

Moisture content is _one_ issue.  
Powers &8^]

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**Author:** ![eastcheap](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8491ac/32.png) [@eastcheap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eastcheap)\
**Post date:** [December 29, 2012, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/burning-wrapping-paper/644763/4 "2012-12-29T01:18:46Z")

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I suppose you could roll up the paper really tightly, if you were determined to burn it in a fireplace. Google “newspaper log roller.”

Me, I just burn it in the barrel out back with other packaging. Believe me, wrapping paper ain’t got _nothin’_ on corrugated boxes.

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**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\
**Post date:** [December 29, 2012, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/burning-wrapping-paper/644763/5 "2012-12-29T01:39:47Z")

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Cecil is correct as always…

Even if the paper might start compressed as it burns it uncompresses, especially coated paper. The uncompressing paper exposed to air burns rapidly. The burning paper can float on the hot air and float up the chimney and start the creosote in the chimney on fire.