A guide to sustainable gift wrapping
Wrapping gifts in something the recipient can also use is a double whammy!
Have you ever given any thought to what you wrap your (thoughtful, handmade, ethical, second-hand) gifts with? Here are the best tips to avoid those dreaded rolls of single-use festive prints - most of which aren’t recyclable!
These tips will save you dollars, resources AND will most definitely make your presents look so much prettier!
I recommend approaching these in order, but pick which works best for you!
Go Naked
By all means, wear clothes... just don't wrap your presents! Hide them somewhere, then behind your back and surprise the recipient when the time is right 😇
Plants are particularly great for this one!
Recycle: Use what you already own.
I can't remember the last time I purchased wrapping of any kind. Seriously.
I keep an old gift bag filled with wrapping paper, brown paper, bags, boxes, ribbons, twine - you get the drift. Save, care for and re-use the wrapping you have already received, and I bet the recipients won't even notice.
And if they do? It only shares this great idea!
Boomerang wrapping
This one's simple - encourage the gift givers and receivers in your life to simply cycle back the same wrapping you used last year, while you do the same! This really goes hand-in-hand with my first tip.
That plain brown gift bag, sturdy box, basket or jar filled with goodies will be good for years to come, and they're so versatile!
Jars filled with goodies make great reusable gift wrap options.
Multi-use: Wrapping that's not wrapping
Another super simple one - put your gifts into something that will also form part of the gift!
Think a purse or wallet like these little kangaroo leather ones I make, a colourful scarf (op shops are full of them!), fabric offcuts or a pretty tea towel.
Even if they are not likely to use this in another way, encourage them to use it when they gift in return.
Check out how to wrap Furoshiki style with fabric pieces - also great for food, picnics, work and school lunches!
My handmade kangaroo leather wallets, made using offcuts. One lovely lady bought one to put an engagement ring in!
Second-hand wrap
Op shops are your go-to here for cool but cheap wrapping options. Think nice clip-top glass jars, gift boxes and bags, fabric offcuts, scarves, towels, even clothing - get creative!
Most op shops also have a basket with salvaged wrapping paper, bags and ribbons too.
If you need to buy new: Choose natural, recyclable materials
If you need to buy something new, choose plain, 100% paper, preferably post-consumer recycled, and combine it with natural string, hemp twine, cardboard, glass, cork, metal - anything that can break down in the backyard compost.
Adorn with some sprigs of greenery found in your neighbourhood.
What to do with wrapping you receive.
Back to tip one - save the stuff in good condition to re-use another time, and consider donating surplus stuff to op shops or your local kindy or daycare centre for craft time.
I donated craft supplies to a community kindy and it was such a heart warming experience, they were so grateful!
No matter if you're a minimalist, zero-waster or just wanting to reduce your impact, gift giving can be really rewarding if you've put a lot of thought in to not just the gift but the wrapping too.
Happy gifting!
- Ash