5 eco-friendly gift wrapping ideas
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I am a fan of gift wrapping — in fact, I find the activity somewhat therapeutic! However, I know using wrapping paper creates unnecessary waste, and one of my goals have been to be more eco-conscious. So I started searching for sustainable alternatives, and in the process, I found a few of my favorites. Read on for some of them!
Re-purpose old newspaper
Newspaper or magazines are great choices because when used correctly, they can actually give the present a great vintage, chic vibe like no other wrapping paper!
So if you still subscribe to newspapers, save a few spread that are mostly filled with words to use as wrapping paper. Or pick out the comic section just to add a fun twist to it.
I actually got this idea from seeing a wrapping paper that was printed to look like newspaper — its definitely a lot more eco-friendly to just use actual newspaper, giving it a second “life” before recycling them!
Re-use everything you can from packages you receive
Every time I come across packages that are packed with tissue paper or bubble wrap, I save them in a bag so I can re-use them later. Although a lot of the times the tissue paper are scrunched and wrinkled, you can still flatten them out a little and fold them up.
When packing gifts in a paper bag, the tissue papers can easily spice up the presentation. They can also be used as wrapping paper, too. And when I’m sending a package to someone else, the bubble wrap comes in handy to ensure items are protected, especially if they’re fragile. Sometimes I also use it to place between two bottles of wine in a wine bag.
Use a silk scarf (and make it a part of the gift!)
This is actually one of my favorite methods once I discovered it a few years back. Include a silk scarf as part of your gift and use it to gift-wrap the other gifts!
When I gave my cousins books as Christmas presents last year, I wrapped each of the books with a silk scarf in different patterns — it made me really happy to see them actually using the scarves in their hair, on their necks, on their bags etc.
And quite honestly, sometimes a silk scarf isn’t that much more expensive than wrapping paper!
Go for a multi-purpose reusable cloth bag
Whether it’s a cloth bag that was designed for gift wrapping or a tote bag that they can use for grocery shopping later on, wrapping a present with something that can easily be reused is the goal. My tip is to NOT choose bags that are too Christmas-themed so people feel comfortable using it throughout the year. This one or this one on Etsy, for example, are great options.
Unisex fabric gift bags
These reusable gift wrapping sets on Amazon are great options whether you are gifting men or women. They’re also designed with more universal prints, which means you can also use them for various occasions.
(Photo: Amazon)
Opt for recycled paper that can be recycled again
If you really, truly still prefer wrapping paper, choose ones that are made with recycled paper! A lot of brands now offer a greener line of gift-wrapping products, including bows and ribbons that are made of paper. There are also a few companies that specialize in recycling newsprint or other paper materials, like Wrappily.
The most environmental friendly option is certainly skipping the wrapping part altogether, but part of the holiday fun is definitely unwrapping and opening presents! I believe finding a good balance is the best way to go. What do you think? Let me know if you have other sustainable gift-wrapping options by leaving a comment below! I’d love to discover more ways!
Thank you for stopping by Happily Ever Style.
xoxo,
Tricia
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