This holiday season, we dare you to try something new. Explore gift wrapping ideas that encourage using sustainable materials, anything reused or upcycled instead of buying brand-new layers of paper with print.
Why? For starters, using gift wrap alternatives helps you save a bit of money. More importantly, it's a good way to minimize waste—and you won't believe just how much trash we generate each year by wrapping paper alone.
So, say goodbye to wrapping paper this year (and forward) with these alternatives to gift wrap.
1. Old Paper as Gift Wrappers
Paper is among the things we typically don't value after using it once. But this holiday season, they can come in pretty handy.
Old newspapers, paper grocery bags, cereal and cracker boxes, magazines, music sheets, outdated maps, and calendars make excellent eco-friendly wrapping paper alternatives. To make a charming gift wrap, add personal touches like an old piece of ribbon, a handwritten note, or a gift tag with a hand-drawn design.
2. Tins and Jars as Gift Containers
Take the old biscuit tins and mason jars out of your kitchen drawers and give them a new purpose this holiday season. They're among the most versatile and eco-friendly gift wrapping solutions because they can be used many times over.
These containers are designed to preserve food, so they make great gift containers for edible items. Non-food gifts like candles and trinkets can also find a home in these charming gift wrap alternatives.
3. Fabric as a Wrapper and a Gift
Fabric is a beautiful and sustainable option for traditional gift wraps. You can use just about anything, from scrap fabric and cloth napkins to tea towels and vintage scarves. They not only offer a unique way to wrap presents but also serve as part of the gift itself.
To add charm to your gift, consider learning the basics of furoshiki, the Japanese art of fabric wrapping.
4. Natural Materials for a Rustic Touch
Natural materials like pine cones, dried orange slices, dried leaves, and jute string give your gifts a charming, rustic vibe. Plus, these items can be composted and reused, which is way better than any plastic trinket from the store. Using them as decor to gift wraps helps you cut down on waste and encourages you to have a more mindful approach to gift giving.
Tips for Sustainable Gift Wrapping
- Collect brown paper shopping bags. Sometime from October to November, start saving brown paper bags. They make gorgeous plain wrapping papers that look great with fabric ribbons. Hoarding is tempting, but it's not healthy. To prevent this, designate a small box as a limit for your collection.
- Don't buy what you don't need. Traditional gift wrap alternatives like recyclable wrapping paper, reusable shopping bags, and plantable seed paper are available. However, the most sustainable option is still to reuse what you already have.
- If you must buy, thrift shop first. You'll be surprised at what you can find in thrift stores, from vintage scarves to glass jars to wicker baskets, which make awesome alternatives for gift wrapping.
- Choose gifts that don’t require wrapping. Not all gifts have to be tangible items. You can easily send gift cards for shops and cafes, spa and massage coupons, or tickets for movies and live shows online, saving you the trouble of wrapping presents.