Opening a gift is always magical. You pull back the wrapping to reveal a present bought or made specifically for you. Taking turns opening gifts at a party creates smiles, laughter, and memories.
However, the mess of wrapping paper and gift bags after the party is a bit less magical. To make sure the magic of your gifts isn’t coming at the cost of the environment, here are 7 eco-friendly and creative gift wrapping ideas you can try.
1. Use What You Already Have
Between all the cooking, cleaning, and shopping, it can be easy to lose sight of what the season is really about. That’s why I prefer to take a more low-key approach to gift-wrapping. Why spend hours searching for the perfect paper when you can just use what you have around the house? Blankets, scarves, and even old shirts can make beautiful wrapping materials. And, if you’re really in a pinch, a simple brown paper bag will do the trick.
Children’s School Work
Before you start tossing your kids’ artwork in the recycling bin, consider using it to wrap gifts for relatives. They’ll be thrilled to receive a present wrapped in a scribbly drawing or heartfelt message from one of their favorite kiddos. Who knows – maybe your child’s art will help spread a little joy this holiday season.
Unused Clothes
If you’ve got clothes that you aren’t fit to be seen in anymore, don’t throw them out – put them to good use! This fabric makes a great reusable gift wrapping. There are many artful ways you can fold the fabric around a gift to make it beautiful.
Paper Grocery Bags
Looking for the perfect way to reduce, reuse, and recycle this holiday season? Look no further than brown paper grocery bags. They’re cheap, they’re durable, and they’re eco-friendly. Plus, they add a touch of rustic charm to any gift. Just wrap them up with some twine, add a tag, and you’re good to go!
Newspaper
Rather than throwing out your weekly ads, reuse them as wrapping paper! It would be a great way to add a little fun and humor to gifts, and can save you a trip to the store. Who knows, maybe one of those ads will end up being exactly what the recipient was looking for.
Maps
An atlas can come in handy for more than just deciphering where you are when you’re lost on a road trip. An outdated atlas makes great gift wrap and tags. The maps are colorful and interesting, and they add a unique touch to any present. Plus, it’s a great way to repurpose something that you might otherwise throw away.
Seed Packets
Take a close look at seed packets, and you’ll notice that they’re actually quite lovely, with colorful designs and intricate patterns. So why not give them a second life? You can reuse them as gift tags or wrapping paper for small presents.
2. Use Recycled Paper
Using recycled paper helps decrease the demand for new trees to be cut down while increasing the demand for recycled materials – which helps reduce waste overall. Plus, recycled paper comes in a variety of colors and is available almost everywhere that paper is sold, so you shouldn’t have any trouble finding it. Why not go green this year and save some trees while you’re at it?
3. Skip Plastic Bows and Ribbons
Most ribbons and bows used in traditional wrapping are made of plastic. Instead of purchasing more plastic for gift wrapping. Opt for a compostable string, like natural fiber twine, and fabric cuttings to wrap your gifts. Add a sprig of pine or dried leaves for decor.
You can also visit your local thrift store and look through their odds and ends as accessories to your gift wrapping. Little ornaments, bells, and key chains are great additions to make a gift beautiful.
4. Reuse Jars
Consider giving small gifts in jars, which can be both thoughtful and budget-friendly. If you really want to go the extra mile, add a custom handmade label. Your friends and family will appreciate the effort, and they may even keep the jar as a memento long after the contents have been consumed.
5. Custom Stamps
A potato can be transformed into a beautiful stamp that can add a personal touch to any gift. Simply cut your potato in half, carve out a design, paint it, and you’re ready to go. Your friends and family will be impressed – and they’ll definitely appreciate your creativity.
6. Compostable Packing Peanuts
Are you shipping a gift to a far-flung friend or relative? If so, you’ll want to make sure it arrives in one piece! Crinkle-cut paper and cornstarch-based packing peanuts are great options for protecting your gifts as they travel. They are effective at cushioning delicate items and are eco-friendly.
7. Don’t Wrap It
Instead of wrapping the gift, leave clues, and create a treasure hunt for your recipient to find the gift. Or if a treasure hunt isn’t your style, give them a thoughtful card to read and have the gift ready when they look up to thank you for the kind words.
Still searching for a gift to wrap? Check out these amazing gift ideas. If you want to go the extra mile, make your own Christmas gift instead. Check out these fun DIY gift ideas!
Reduce Your Carbon Footprint This Holiday!
Now that you’ve got some eco-friendly and creative gift-wrapping ideas, it’s time to put them into practice! With a little bit of thoughtfulness and creativity, you can create beautiful gifts that are safe for the environment and will make your loved ones smile. Do you have any other eco-friendly or creative gift-wrapping ideas? We’d love to hear about it on social media with @fromsimplyearth and in the comments below!
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