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5 Christmas Wrapping Ideas That Look Great and Are Eco Friendly

5 Christmas Wrapping Ideas That Look Great and Are Eco Friendly

The holiday season is an exciting time for a lot of us. Many of us look forward to the joy of spending time with loved ones, and to the giving and receiving of gifts. While the gifts are wonderful, what about all the wrapping paper, bows, and tape left over at the end of the day? Many Christmas wrapping ideas create more waste than we realize, yet it doesn’t have to be this way. Wrapping your presents beautifully and being kind to the planet at the same time is possible!

When you wrap your thoughtful gift in an eco-friendly way, you show you care. You spread the message that Christmas wrapping can be both thoughtful and green. Plus, you inspire others to think more consciously about their choices at Christmas and every other day of the year.

We have five Christmas wrapping ideas for you that look great, cost little or nothing, and reflect the true spirit of Christmas giving.

Why Eco-Friendly Wrapping Matters During the Holiday Season

After the fun of the giving and receiving of gifts, many of us are left with a glitter-covered paper, ribbons, bows, plastic containers, and tape that can’t be recycled.

And it’s not just the un-recyclable packaging and wrapping that end up in the landfill. Recyclable paper that’s usually just used once creates extra waste as well. In fact, much more waste goes to landfill during the holiday season than at any other time of year. In Canada alone 540,000 tonnes of wrapping paper and gift bags get thrown out during the holiday season, most of it unnecessary.

Choose Eco-friendly Christmas Wrapping

So what can we do? With just a little extra thought we can make a difference. We can choose eco-friendly wrapping for our Christmas giving. Doing so we spread the word that the true spirit of Christmas includes taking care of the planet. And the best part is you don’t need to buy anything new or expensive to wrap thoughtfully.

1. Turn Everyday Paper Into Beautiful Gift Wrap

Let’s start with what you likely have at home already. You may have lots of paper items lying around that could be reused for wrapping gifts.

  • The comics section (or any page) of old newspapers
  • Brown paper grocery bags
  • Leftover shipping paper
  • Pages from old calendars
  • Children’s drawings or paintings

These simple, “rescued” paper items look great as wrapping, especially if you tie them with string or yarn and finish them off with a sprig of pine or a dried orange slice.

Using paper you already have is eco-friendly and budget-friendly. It reduces waste, saves money, and makes the wrapping more personal. You also show how easy and beautiful eco-friendly wrapping can be.

Christmas Wrapping Ideas using kraft paper, twine, and natural greenery for the true spirit of Christmas

2. Wrap with Fabric You Already Own

Feeling creative? Take inspiration from the Japanese tradition of furoshiki. This beautiful practice of wrapping a gift in cloth is both art, craft, and practicality all bundled together. With this, instead of wasting paper, you wrap your gift in something you already own such as a bandana, a cloth napkin, a tea towel, or even scrap fabric.

Once opened, the wrap becomes part of the gift, or can be reused!

You don’t need fancy folding skills to achieve a beautiful effect. Simply place your gift in the centre of the cloth, bring up the corners, and tie them at the top. Add a small ornament, a sprig of rosemary, or a pinecone for an extra special touch.

The furoshiki approach is perfect for creating special gift-giving experiences for you and your loved ones. And best of all, it’s kind to the planet.

3. Use Jars, Tins, and Boxes for Zero-Waste Packaging

Sometimes the containers we already have at home, such as old jars, tins, or boxes, make excellent containers for gifts.

  • Mason jars are popular containers for cookies, homemade treats, or small gifts.
  • Cookie tins and sturdy gift boxes can be reused year after year.
  • Small baskets or cloth-lined boxes look great and add lots of charm.

Dress up your container with used ribbon or fabric, tie with string, or use the back of an old card to write your message.

Your gift recipient will appreciate your efforts to avoid the unnecessary waste of tape, glitter, and plastic. Plus, they get to re-use the container themselves later.

Your gift becomes something practical, lasting, and caring because you’ve made the wrapping part of the experience.

4. Decorate Gifts Using Natural Elements

Let’s look at some ways to decorate your gifts naturally. Instead of plastic bows or metallic ribbons, decorate your gifts with items found in nature or your home to add a warm, authentic feel that reflects the holiday season. Try some of these ideas for that extra special touch:

  • Pinecones
  • Evergreen sprigs (fir, pine, or spruce)
  • Dried orange slices or cinnamon sticks
  • Rosemary sprigs

Avoiding wasteful glitter and plastic gives added joy to these stylish wrapping upgrades. And best of all, they are guilt-free choices that are both meaningful and memorable in the true spirit of Christmas giving.

5. Personal Touches That Cost Nothing But Mean Everything

It’s so true that the most meaningful gifts come from the heart. So to add that special, personal touch, try affixing something handmade or sentimental to your wrapping. Here are some charming ideas that will be sure to make your gift recipient smile:

  • A handwritten note or letter
  • A short poem or reflection
  • A small photograph
  • A simple drawing or doodle
  • A handwritten label using recycled cardstock or scrap paper

Fancy, expensive wrapping can be nice, but pales in comparison to a personal, thoughtful gift wrap that shares a connection or a memory between loved ones.

Christmas giving in the holiday season: hands holding a gift wrapped in brown paper and twine

Bringing It All Together: Giving With Heart

Each of these five ideas reflects the simple truth that choosing eco-friendly wrapping is possible, easy, and doesn’t have to cost you anything.

When we choose to reuse or repurpose items to wrap our gifts, we go the extra mile to make our gifts more meaningful. The warmth and kindness behind the gift is heightened, and that’s really the true spirit of Christmas. What’s more, by taking this approach we reduce waste, save money, and spread the message that making green, eco-friendly choices is possible. Even at Christmas!

Choosing Eco-Friendly for the Holidays and Beyond

This holiday season, consider gifting in a way that reflects your values and concern for the planet. Eco-friendly wrapping doesn’t cost more. Usually, it actually costs less, or nothing at all.

Try one of these Christmas wrapping ideas. Maybe mix a few. See how it feels. And you never know, this could be the start of a wonderful, thoughtful tradition for your family’s future Christmas giving.

Giving Spreads Happiness

Giving connects us, bringing hope, positivity, and happiness to friends, family, and our communities. Let’s make our Christmas giving as eco-friendly as possible. To learn more about how giving makes the world better, and to enjoy its benefits every day, start your 365 Days of Giving journey. Sign up for our newsletter to get daily inspirations right into your inbox.

For more ideas on how giving can change the world, check out these articles we think you’ll love:

How Your Small Acts of Giving Can Create Big Smiles Today

How A Daily Give Will Change the World – Guest Post – Frank Giustra

 

Laura Canning
+ posts

Content thinker, tea drinker, cat negotiator—Laura believes in the power of small, everyday actions to create a kinder, healthier world.

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