4 Eco-friendly ways to wrap this years Christmas gifts!

Christmas is one of our favourite times of year, it can also be one of the most wasteful times of year.  As much as we all love giving and receiving gifts, we never really think about how much packaging we throw away during the festive season. 

This year we want to make a point of using sustainable gift wrapping. This post is (hopefully) going to give you some amazing, sustainable ways to wrap your gifts. We’ve even going to stock some gift wrapping packs so that you can do your own DIY eco-friendly wrapping. So let’s get to it. 

Furoshiki 

Furoshiki is the traditional Japanese art of wrapping gifts with fabric rather than paper. Furoshiki is versatile and can be adapted to suit the exacts needs of the specific objects to be gifted. 

Traditionally both the colour and the printed design on the Furoshiki is meaningful. The giver presents the receiver with the gift, unveils it then keeps the cloth for the next use.

You can use old scarves, sheets and clothes from your own home or from op shops. The object that you wrap should be approximately  1/3 of the diagonal of the fabric you are using.

We’ve added a few different folding techniques to suit the gift that you’re giving.

Image: Pinterest

Image: Japanese Department of Environment

 

Kraft Paper

This is one of our favourites. Kraft paper is super simple and versatile. It’s what we use to wrap 90% of our parcels and we love it.

Most of the traditional shiny wrapping paper you buy around Christmas cannot be recycled whereas kraft paper is recyclable and bio-degradable.

You now can also buy kraft water activated paper tape that can be recycled too. They go perfectly together and you can dress your gifts up with a raffia, leaves or ribbon. 

Image: Dani Noce

 

Newspaper Wrap

One of the simplest ways to wrap gifts. Newspaper can be decorated and dressed up with a ribbon. Million of newspapers are printed every single day and by repurposing you are saving them from landfill.

You can even go through the newspaper and find articles you like that are special for the person you are giving the gift to.

Image: Shift

Glass Jars

Saving food or coffee jars have massive benefits. I personally have a massive stash of coffee jars from the wild amount of coffee I drink. 

Jars can be used for food storage (keeping cut up fruit, veggies or leftovers), makeshift vases and trinket containers. They can also be used for gifts. 

One beautiful idea is to mix together the dry ingredients of your loved ones favourite sweets. Wrap with a bow and write them a little message with the method and wet ingredients they will need. This adds such a special and thoughtful touch to your gifts. 

Image: The Very Best Baking