Seven Creative & Sustainable Gift Wrapping Ideas
- Molly Ishmael
- Dec 15, 2021
- 6 min read
Updated: Feb 13, 2022
Speaking of gifts - Sunday was my birthday! We had a great time as a family. David and I celebrated a few weeks early with a weekend in St. Augustine at a beautiful Victorian B&B. Definitely feeling decor-inspired after exploring the Spanish renaissance architecture, British colonial buildings, and 130-year old Victorian homes all decorated for Christmas.
Back to business for now, though - Christmas is less than 2 weeks away! And now, said in your very best football announcer voice: Let's get READY to WRAAAAAAP!!!! Below you'll find seven simple and tasteful ideas for how to wrap your gifts this year.
Someone was excited for her very first Christmas! It's hard to believe this was 2 years ago already.
And more good news; this week we were able to get our final design package for the new house, complete with pricing and every little detail in writing. It took longer than expected but we got it in time for construction to begin as scheduled, so that's a good thing! In the next post or two I'll share some sneak-peek previews of our design choices and a mood board I'm working on for the decor plan.
More on that later. For now, it's time to wrap, my friends. It's time to wrap.
Doesn't old-fashioned twine feel right this time of year?
SEVEN CREATIVE & SUSTAINABLE GIFT WRAPPING IDEAS
1. Cookie Tins & Natural Fiber Twine
One of my favorite homemade gifts is a cookie tin chock full of treats. I love receiving them, I love giving them! They're perfect for those folks on your list like neighbors and doctor's offices who no doubt appreciate being thought of this season. Plus, it's probably pretty obvious how to wrap them: in a festive cookie tin, of course. I've found cute tins at Michaels on sale, Dollar Tree, and Amazon, of course.
Set of 8 tins with seasonal lids.
Treat tins is not only a sweet little gift, it's a nice sustainable option. Hopefully the recipient keeps the tin and either uses it throughout the year or re-gifts it. And don't feel restricted to cookies: you can include fudge, candy, peppermint sticks, tea bags, cocoa packets, marshmallows, brownies... The list goes on! You can easily customize such a gift for many dietary preferences or health restrictions, and in the end, who doesn't love getting an adorable tin stuffed with goodies around the holidays? I know I do!
How to Style It: Tie a ribbon around the tin and you're done!
Affordable tins are available at Dollar Tree, Michaels, Target, and the grocery store.
2. Reusable Boxes & Recycled Paper
When it comes to wrapping boxes, I love recycled brown paper or white butcher's paper. It's relatively sustainable, and nowadays, often available on a number of cheerful prints and even colors. Here are a few I found online. The nice thing is that this type of paper can be used all year round if you don't buy a seasonal-specific pattern. Stock up for birthdays and other gifts all year round!
150 s.f. recycled Kraft paper.
How to Style It: Inexpensive curling ribbon is all you need, but also try adding name tags, large fabric bows, or even a sprig of pine or holly.
I usually don't use stock photos, but I'm loving all the ribbon and simple paper combos in this one!
3. Reusable Gift Bags & Tissue Paper
This one may not be particularly ground-breaking, but it;s great for hard-to-wrap items. And we all know we keep those gift bags for next year - as we should! Gift bags can be used over and over for years as long as they're kept in good condition.
200 name tags for under $9 (as of the time of this post.)
If the original tag is already used, just clip it off and tie on a new name tag with a small piece of ribbon. Fold the bags neatly and store them in a cool, dark place until next time - and same with the tissue paper! Just make sure you either keep the bags inside or put a lid on the container if storing them outside. We don't want moisture or bugs getting to our beautiful wraps!
How to Style It: Add a new name tag, tissue paper in good condition, tie the handles together with coordinating ribbon, and maybe tie on an ornament for added jazz!
Add an ornament and name tag to make gift bags more personalized.
4. Burlap & Fabric Sacks
Old Saint Nick isn't the only one who has access to these bad boys, and bonus, they are PERFECT for items that don't fit in anything else. They are also sturdy enough for heavier items that paper bags may not be able to handle. As textiles are certainly re-usable in many ways, I would say this is a great sustainable option, plus they look so festive!
Canvas sack with bonus stickers!
As you've probably noticed, Amazon sends gifted items in fabric bags and you can always save these for later. Plus, lots of stores sell other versions that suit any taste or occasion. Start looking and you'll notice them everywhere. One of my favorites is the huge version that looks like Santa's bag. One year, I filled a huge sack with Jeep accessories for my husband. He just kept reaching in and finding more fun. Kids would love this, too!
How to Style It: Just tie a colorful ribbon and name tag arund the top where the bag closes and you're done!
Real fabric bags are sturdy, sustainable, and stylish. Plus, everyone wants to know what's inside!
5. One Word: Furoshiki
Furoshiki is a Japanese wrapping technique that involves folding fabric around the gift and tying it into a knot on top. I am just getting into this for the first time this year, but I love the style! If you have leftover fabric from any project, furoshiki is a nice way to recycle it.
24-pack idividually wrapped lollipops.
For additional furoshiki inspiration and instructions, check out this simple guide:
How to Style It: Tie something festive into the knot such as an ornament or lollipop.
Furoshiki is a Japanese fabric wrapping technique. Source of photo: konmari.com
6. Glass Jars
If you happen to have mason jars or other similar containers on hand, consider using them for a unique and sustainable gift option. Fill the jar with candy, a piece of handcrafted jewelry, or the old classic - layers of ingredients for brownie and tie on a handwritten recipe. For a more creative option, what about creating a mini terrarium complete with a tiny live plant? Gift cards fit in mason jars and you can fill it the rest of the way with curling ribbon or Hershey kisses - after all, when it comes to gift cards or cash, sometimes it's nice to have something to unwrap.
12-pack LED "fairy lights" fit inside Mason jars & lots of other pretty spots!
Of course, depending on if the gift needs to travel or not, you may not be able to use glass. But I bet there are dozens of other re-usable containers that would work just as well and be a nice break for the earth at the same time!
How to Style It: Fill the jar with a tiny LED light string or edible treats and layer in a gift card or custom ornament. Don't forget a bow on top!
Glass jars are a beautiful, sustainable option to wrap many small gifts or treats. Stock photo.
7. Newspaper
Does anyone get the paper anymore? If so, how about reusing it in the classic, nostalgic way: as wrapping paper! Tip: Perhaps make sure the piece you're using doesn't have a controversial headline on it. The last thing we all need is anything that could spark political fighting under the tree this year. Maybe stick to the comics or society page for this one. :)
50 craft bells in red or silver.
How to Style It: Colorful ribbon or twine and a name tag, plus a pinecone or bells for extra fun.
Wrapper's Delight: Total Color Coordination. Include your baby in the color scheme for extra points?! Haha:)
Bonus Tip: Consider Color-Coordinating Your Wraps (and save money, too!)
This is mainly regarding the presents you'll be putting under your own tree. Color-coordinating all your presents is certainly taste-specific and not for everyone. Some folks love a pile of presents in all colors and patterns, and if that's what brings you joy, do it! But if you're the type who likes to take a photo of your carefully decorated tree with gifts underneath, consider taking your artistry to the next level and deploy the coordinating wraps. If you don't want to go crazy with perfectly matched packaging, just stick to a general color scheme (that's what I usually do). If you're like me and do most of the wrapping for the whole family anyway, it's relatively easy to pick a color scheme each year. I buy new wrapping paper for next year after Christmas when it goes 90% off, and at that point, I can easily (and affordably) stock up on any new materials I prefer.
656 feet of raffia twine.
Wrapping up (see what I did there?)... A thoughtfully packaged gift can send those extra special vibes to your recipient. And it doesn't have to be expensive; recyclable and homemade gifts can be gorgeous when tastefully styled in even the simplest materials. Most of all, we can't go wrong when we do all our wrapping AND giving with LOVE!
With Love,
Molly
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