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So, you’ve selected the perfect gift—now what? You could resort to wrapping it in conventional paper and bows, most of which are not recyclable. Or, you can unleash your creativity and explore these budget-friendly, unique Eco-Friendly Gift Wrapping Ideas! Whether you’re wrapping eco-friendly gifts, zero-waste options, minimalist presents, or gifts for children, you’ve arrived at the right place. These ideas are versatile and can be used any time of the year for occasions such as birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, and showers.
Finding ingenious ways to present your gifts can be challenging, so I’ve compiled some of my favorite ideas to help you skip the mundane gift bag and impress everyone with your creative flair!
The Best Eco-Friendly Gift Wrapping Ideas
- Reusable baggies
- Upcycled glass jars
- Reusable gift boxes & baskets
- Fabric
- Beeswax wraps
- Reused paper
- Cardboard boxes
- Dried fruit, flowers, plants, and greenery
- Handmade bows
- Handmade gift tags
Eco-Friendly and Sustainable Ways to Wrap!
At The Eco Hub, education is paramount. With every article, we strive to explain the “why” behind the “what.” At the end of this post, we will address some vital questions: Why should you choose eco-friendly wrapping methods? Can you recycle wrapping paper? And where can you find eco-friendly gift-wrapping materials? Don’t forget to check out the video too! 🌱
Step-by-Step Guides to Eco-Friendly Gift Wrapping Ideas
1. Reusable Silicone Baggies
Why not skip traditional wrapping entirely and utilize the gift itself as the wrap? This approach is all about going “naked,” meaning sometimes the gift is enough on its own!
For this idea, I recommend Stasher bags for various reasons. For instance, I created a DIY cleaning kit, which is the perfect gift for those interested in making their own cleaning products or trying out DIY projects. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 2 x Reusable Bags (I used Stasher)
- 2 x Swedish Dishcloths
- 1 Travel-size bottle of castile soap (I prefer lavender)
- 1 Bottle of Tea Tree Essential Oils
- 1 x Reusable Scrub Brush
- 1 x DIY Cleaning Recipe
Did you catch the video above? It was so simple! You can use any reusable container you like. I love thrifting or browsing Facebook Marketplace for charming containers. Let’s normalize regifting!
2. Upcycled Glass Jars
Searching for a gift for the ultimate hostess or anyone special? Look no further than this delightful DIY mason jar gift idea! I crafted this for a friend who adores baking, and I can’t resist a good glass jar.
I picked up a vintage mason jar at an antique shop, paired it with a lovely tea towel that supports bees, added a wooden spoon, and tied everything together with twine. For an extra touch, consider including a cookie recipe inside the jar. It’s utterly adorable!
Glass jars are incredibly versatile and can be used for a plethora of DIY gifts. For instance, I filled a large mason jar with laundry soap from my local zero-waste grocery store, added four wool dryer balls, a small mesh bag, and some greenery. I even included a card explaining how to use the natural laundry detergent.
As a journalist, I often receive various products, and when they go unused, I love gifting them to people who will appreciate them. Just ensure that any skincare items are unused and unopened. This idea can extend to anything, not just skincare.
3. Reusable Gift Boxes & Baskets
For this idea, I purchased a beautiful reusable wooden box filled with sustainable skincare and makeup products, including zero-waste deodorant, reusable cotton rounds, a reusable razor, zero-waste lip balm, and a shampoo bar. You can fill any box or basket with thoughtful items, as evidenced by the next suggestion.
I found a handmade basket at the One Of A Kind Show in Montreal, and it was hard to resist buying just one! I filled it with:
- A book on sustainability
- 1 x Keep Cup
- 2 x Swedish Cloths
- DIY Bath Salts
- 2 x Reusable Straws
- 1 x Turkish Towel
The beauty of these gifts is that they are practical and thoughtful, allowing your loved ones to reduce waste while enjoying their presents. You can customize any of these ideas, creating gifts that truly keep on giving.
4. Old Cloths, Produce Bags, and Other Fabric
You may have seen this eco-friendly wrapping method across social media. It’s a traditional Japanese technique called Furoshiki, and you can use almost any piece of fabric to create unique wraps. Consider using old clothes, tea towels, or scarves from your local thrift shop—any fabric will do!
For decoration, I typically opt for greenery from my garden or thrifted brooches for an elegant touch. Small cloth bags or reusable produce bags can also serve as charming wraps, as shown in the photo featuring bags that once held candles.
If you’re struggling to find fabric, check out Wrappr for stunning collections that work with local artists, each telling its own beautiful story. For instance, the Gifts of Joy collection is inspired by winter, designed with cozy, joyful feelings in mind.
5. Beeswax Wraps
Beeswax wraps are a fantastic solution! Not only do they help reduce food waste, but they make for a gorgeous gift wrap option as well. Available in various sizes, these wraps can be molded to fit any box or gift shape. Just add your chosen embellishments on top, and you’re done!
6. Newspaper, Brown Paper, Paper Bags, Magazines, Old Maps
The brown paper I’ve collected throughout the year is perfect for wrapping! Even if it’s slightly wrinkled, you can easily cover imperfections with homemade, natural adornments. A quick search on Pinterest will yield countless ideas.
For children, consider giving them the opportunity to color their wrapping! Attach crayons to a brown paper-wrapped box with the note “Color Me” in the corner. You could also cut circles from old magazines, glue them to the gift, draw strings with a marker, and top it off with some greenery.
Feel free to use paper bags, butcher paper, or parchment paper as well! When using newspapers, select sections that might appeal to the recipient. The fashion, car, and comic sections are great choices. Old maps also make unique gift wrap!
Instead of traditional tape, I recommend using kraft tape made from paper or vibrant Washi tape from Earth Hero.
7. Cardboard Boxes
As I mentioned earlier, I often receive many products that leave me with a surplus of packaging. Many times, these boxes can be reused, even if they feature logos. Cover logos with cards or greenery for a fresh look. Cardboard boxes can accumulate quickly, so put them to good use or recycle the ones you don’t need!
8. Dried Fruit, Flowers, Plants, and Greenery
While preparing DIY potpourri, I kept a few slices of fruit to embellish my gifts. Fresh or dried herbs, flowers, leaves, pine cones, twigs, and any greenery from your garden can add a personal touch. Use organic hemp twine, linen twine, or cotton ribbon for a rustic finish. Wooden clothes pins can also be handy for attaching decorative elements to your gifts.
9. Handmade Bows
I had a blast creating these bows! If you watched the video above, you’ll see the tutorial I followed. Typically, bows and ribbons are made with or coated in plastic, so I aimed to avoid those. I found a free pattern from Bren Did to make my own bows using leftover paper from last year. I was amazed at how simple it was!
10. Handmade Gift Tags
Handmade gift tags are essential for eco-friendly wrapping! They’re easy to create with scrap cardboard and a touch of creativity. Be sure to check out the video for a full tutorial. The beauty of handmade items is their uniqueness for both the giver and the receiver. I opted for a gingerbread house design because it’s adorable and simple!
Why Choose Eco-Friendly Ways to Wrap Gifts?
Here’s a quick overview of the environmental impact associated with traditional gift wrapping:
- Deforestation: The paper industry is notorious for deforestation, cutting down old-growth forests at alarming rates to meet demand.
- Habitat Loss: Clear-cutting vast areas leaves many animals without habitats, causing significant distress. Species like the Orangutan are on the brink of extinction due to these practices.
- Exposure to Chemicals: Toxic chemicals like chromium and lead, along with bleaching agents, are harmful to both our health and the planet.
- Waste: The wrapping paper industry in America generates around 7 billion dollars, resulting in approximately 5 million pounds of wrapping paper, with half of it ending up in landfills.
- Microplastic: As plastic bows and tags break down in landfills, they create microplastics that adversely affect marine life and our ecosystem.
But Can’t You Recycle Wrapping Paper, Etc.?
As with most eco-related topics, it’s not that straightforward! Brown paper can be recycled or composted, but once plastic tape, bows, glitter, ribbons, or shiny finishes are added, recycling becomes impossible. If you mistakenly place brown paper with plastic tape in the recycling bin, it will likely end up in the trash—staff cannot take the time to separate it.
The best-case scenario is encouraging individuals to remove tape and recycle the rest, but realistically, many people won’t do this. 😔
Where to Find Eco-Friendly Gift-Wrapping Materials?
First off, shop your home and use what you already have! If you’ve been saving boxes, brown paper, packing peanuts, tissue paper, bows, and ribbons, start sorting through them. Look for boxes in good condition for reuse, and flatten out any paper; wrinkles are acceptable, as you can cover them with natural adornments. Damaged boxes can be repurposed into gift tags, which I’ll show you later.
In the video above, I demonstrate how to use silicone baggies as actual gift wrap, along with how to create bows and gift tags from scraps.
A Final Word on Eco-Friendly Ways to Wrap Gifts
That’s a wrap! I hope you found inspiration in this article. It was enjoyable to brainstorm unique, thoughtful, handmade, budget-friendly, and easy-to-execute gift-wrapping ideas. Remember, the goal is to think outside the conventional “box” and make your gifts truly special!
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