How to Master Eco-Friendly Gift Wrapping
Gift-giving is a wonderful tradition, but it can also generate a significant amount of waste. Embracing sustainable practices while wrapping gifts is a small yet impactful step towards a greener and cleaner planet. In this guide, we’ll explore creative and eco-friendly ways to wrap gifts without compromising on style or sentiment.
Did you miss my holiday gift guide post? Go check it out for some more eco-holiday inspiration!
2023 Holiday Gift Guide for the Eco-Conscious Consumer: How to Master Eco-Friendly Gift WrappingReused Cardboard Boxes and Paper
One option is to use recycled wrapping paper and cardboard. Chances are you have a pile of cardboard boxes somewhere in your house from things you’ve bought or ordered online. If you don’t happen to have a stockpile of these like me and the rest of the hoarders, the next time you get something that comes in a decent box, save it! It’s nice to have options that are different sizes for different gifts.
When you use a reused shipping box for a gift, it might not look the cutest on its own, but you can certainly dazzle it up with a topper, draw your own artwork, or throw on some natural decorations!
Another idea is to get creative with do-it-yourself wrapping ideas. Use old newspapers, magazines, or brown paper and let your artistic side shine. Trader Joe’s bags are great for this with already having red and white on them. Add a personal touch with hand-drawn designs or stamps.
Check out this video from Jess Clifton showing you step-by-step how to master this!
Reusable and Upcycled Wrapping Materials
A theme throughout this post is Use What You Have. My top tip for eco-friendly gift giving that is SUPER EASY is to reuse previously received gift bags and boxes. I have a whole box in my attic dedicated to Christmas bags, boxes, tissue paper, and gift toppers that I’ve gotten from other people. Even if you give someone back the same bag they gave to you the previous year, chances are they won’t remember. And if they do, who cares?! You could even make a fun tradition out of it by using the same gift bag or box with someone and trading each year.
One option for eco-friendly wrapping is to use reusable items like fabric, scarves, or ribbons. Not only does this reduce waste, but it also adds a unique and personal touch to your gift.
Wrapping with what you already have is always the best option, whether it’s a scarf you no longer use or you could even cut pieces of an old flannel to make a festive wrap. If you are looking to support a small business, Swathe Gifts is a company (local to Milwaukee) that makes amazing reusable gift wraps! This is more on the boujee side of wrapping, but the products are handmade with love and very high quality.
This is by far my favorite way to sustainably wrap a gift. It not only saves waste, but it provides the recipient with an extra accessory or something they can use to wrap a present for someone else! If you’re someone hosting a gift exchange this season, a fun idea would be to tell everyone to wrap their gift in something reusable. That way you as a host have less trash to throw out, and all of your guests leave with a bonus present.
Natural Decorations
Instead of traditional bows and ribbons, consider using natural wintery elements. It can be fun to go on a nature walk and collect some of these things (before it gets too cold out of course!). That way you’re not spending as much money at the store. The goal with a lot of these methods is to not only be more sustainable but also lower the costs of gift giving, and who doesn’t want that?! Here’s a quick list of festive options to add to your natural decor:
- pine or spruce sprigs
- eucalyptus
- cranberries
- dried citrus
- cinnamon sticks
- natural twine (make sure it isn’t dyed or have glitter so it can be composted)
- dried flowers
- burlap
- pine cones
These accents not only look charming but can also be composted after use. A super trendy thing to do around Christmas is to use dried orange slices! This is always a fun DIY activity to do around the holidays and you can create garland and ornaments with these too.
Plantable Wrapping Paper
In my opinion, this can be a pricier option but could add a seriously nice touch. Check out plantable wrapping paper options. This type of paper is compostable and is embedded with seeds! After unwrapping, the paper can be planted to grow flowers or herbs, adding a second purpose for the wrapping paper. They also make plantable paper cards. Be sure to purchase these from a quality source. You’ll want to ensure the paper is dye-free, or if there are inks or dyes they will need to be compostable as well.
Plant Paper Cards
A great option for a less wasteful card. In my opinion, they’re so much cuter than a regular one.
I would link the ones on EarthHero but they’re sold out 🙁 These are a nice second choice!
Upcycled Gift Toppers
Instead of buying new gift toppers, repurpose old jewelry, buttons, or fabric scraps to create unique and eco-friendly embellishments for your gifts. I always find gift toppers when I go to my local thrift store. You can hunt for actual toppers in the holiday section, or head over by the craft supplies and pick up a few things. Around this time of year, I see lots of small Christmas items like mistletoe and jingle bells all over Goodwill. Gift toppers aren’t necessary, but if you’re going to use them, you might as well get them for free with what you have or thrift them.
If you don’t have time to create art with your wrapping style, gift toppers can be an option to help spice up a gift. If you’re not sure about where to even start with any of this, it is always a great idea to save gift toppers and things you get from other people to reuse in the future.
Higher Quality Gift Bags and Boxes
Another choice is to simply invest in high-quality, reusable gift bags and boxes. If you’re not a super crafty person, opting for something your recipient can easily reuse is another way to reduce waste. When you’re buying gift bags and boxes, inspect them first to see if you think they will hold up over time. If you think a bag will rip or tear after the first use, it’s probably not the best option. These items can be used multiple times and are a sustainable alternative to single-use wrapping paper.
Choosing bags and boxes that aren’t covered in glitter and extra plastic is also something to be aware of. While it is pretty, glitter is a microplastic, and when glitter sheds it can pollute our waterways and environment. Be mindful of extra plastic bows and accents that could fall off or become garbage anyways.
Educate Recipients
When you give something in reusable or natural materials, you may get some questions and comments. I remember the first year I decided to start doing eco gift wrapping, and I got so many compliments! Don’t be afraid to explain your choices and even encourage others to join the sustainable gift-wrapping movement. Especially for those who like to get crafty around the holidays, these methods add a fun twist to the season and get people away from spending money on wrapping paper.
Incorporating sustainable practices into gift wrapping is a simple yet impactful way to contribute to a healthier planet. The standard gift wrap you see at any store usually has glitter and dyes, making it unfit for recycling or composting. By choosing reusable materials, embracing DIY options, and educating others, you can make a positive difference in reducing waste during celebrations. The nice thing about this practice is that it can be used year round any time you give a present! Let’s wrap our gifts with love for both the recipient and the environment.
I hope this helps you with your holiday planning! There are lots of options here, so find one that works for you and have fun. (:
-KAYLA
Check out this Reel where I put the gift wrapping skills into action!
