Each Christmas, millions of rolls of wrapping paper end up in landfills, often glittered, glossy, or laminated, making them non-recyclable. But wrapping gifts doesn’t have to come at the cost of the environment. In fact, with a little creativity, you can make your gifts look even more beautiful and personal using sustainable, reusable, or biodegradable materials.
Here are some clever, eco-friendly gift wrapping ideas that are easy to do, gentle on the planet, and seriously Instagram-worthy.
1. Furoshiki: The Art of Fabric Wrapping
Borrow a tradition from Japan and use fabric instead of paper. Known as furoshiki, this method uses cloth to fold, tie, and wrap gifts elegantly—no tape required. You can use:
Scarves or bandanas (part of the gift!)
Tea towels
Fabric scraps or cut-up old clothes
Cloth napkins or vintage linens
Bonus: the fabric can be reused for future gifts or turned into something useful.
Photo by Anastasia Shuraeva
2. Brown Paper Bags and Kraft Paper
Simple brown paper is recyclable, affordable, and a blank canvas for creativity. Decorate with:
Stamps or hand-drawn doodles
Twine and a sprig of rosemary or eucalyptus
Dried orange slices or cinnamon sticks
Old magazine cutouts or kids’ drawings
It gives gifts a rustic charm and is perfect for a natural, minimalist look.
Photo by Pavel Danilyuk
3. Newspaper with a Twist
Don’t toss your weekend newspaper, turn it into wrapping. The black-and-white print looks surprisingly chic, especially paired with coloured yarn, recycled ribbon, or greenery. Comics pages also work great for kids’ gifts.
4. Recycled Gift Wrap or Boxes
Save wrapping paper, gift bags, and tissue from previous holidays and reuse them creatively. Old boxes (think cereal boxes or shoe boxes) can be upcycled with wrapping paper, paint, or fabric.
Pro tip: Remove tape carefully when opening gifts, and store reusable pieces in a dedicated drawer for next year.
5. Glass Jars and Tins
For small gifts, skip wrapping altogether. Repurpose old jars, cookie tins, or even vintage lunchboxes. These containers add character and are perfect for food gifts, handmade items, or small trinkets.
Add a ribbon and label, and you’re done—no wrapping waste at all.
Photo by Angela van Oeffelen
6. Maps, Sheet Music, or Book Pages
Old atlases, damaged books, or sheet music make for beautiful and unique wrapping. They’re perfect for book lovers, musicians, or travellers. Just be sure you’re not tearing up anything too valuable.
Photo by Anastasia Shuraeva
7. Plantable Wrapping Paper
Yes, it exists. Some companies now make biodegradable wrapping paper embedded with wildflower seeds. The recipient can plant the paper after unwrapping, turning your gift into a blooming garden. A lovely zero-waste option with a surprise bonus.
8. Natural Ribbons and Ties
Swap synthetic ribbon for:
Cotton string or twine
Raffia
Strips of fabric or lace
Dried flowers tied on with a knot
These elements add texture and a handmade touch—without plastic.
Final Tips for Sustainable Gift Wrapping
Avoid foil, glitter, or laminated papers—these can’t be recycled.
Use paper tape or washi tape instead of plastic tape, or skip tape altogether.
Gift wrap with intention: let your wrapping be part of the gift’s story.
Gift wrapping doesn’t need to create a pile of rubbish by Boxing Day. With these eco-friendly ideas, you can add beauty, thoughtfulness, and sustainability to your presents, making the wrapping almost as lovely as what’s inside.
Each Christmas, millions of rolls of wrapping paper end up in landfills, often glittered, glossy, or laminated, making them non-recyclable. But wrapping gifts doesn’t have to come at the cost of the environment. In fact, with a little creativity, you can make your gifts look even more beautiful and personal using sustainable, reusable, or biodegradable materials.
Here are some clever, eco-friendly gift wrapping ideas that are easy to do, gentle on the planet, and seriously Instagram-worthy.
1. Furoshiki: The Art of Fabric Wrapping
Borrow a tradition from Japan and use fabric instead of paper. Known as furoshiki, this method uses cloth to fold, tie, and wrap gifts elegantly—no tape required. You can use:
Bonus: the fabric can be reused for future gifts or turned into something useful.
2. Brown Paper Bags and Kraft Paper
Simple brown paper is recyclable, affordable, and a blank canvas for creativity. Decorate with:
It gives gifts a rustic charm and is perfect for a natural, minimalist look.
3. Newspaper with a Twist
Don’t toss your weekend newspaper, turn it into wrapping. The black-and-white print looks surprisingly chic, especially paired with coloured yarn, recycled ribbon, or greenery. Comics pages also work great for kids’ gifts.
4. Recycled Gift Wrap or Boxes
Save wrapping paper, gift bags, and tissue from previous holidays and reuse them creatively. Old boxes (think cereal boxes or shoe boxes) can be upcycled with wrapping paper, paint, or fabric.
Pro tip: Remove tape carefully when opening gifts, and store reusable pieces in a dedicated drawer for next year.
5. Glass Jars and Tins
For small gifts, skip wrapping altogether. Repurpose old jars, cookie tins, or even vintage lunchboxes. These containers add character and are perfect for food gifts, handmade items, or small trinkets.
Add a ribbon and label, and you’re done—no wrapping waste at all.
6. Maps, Sheet Music, or Book Pages
Old atlases, damaged books, or sheet music make for beautiful and unique wrapping. They’re perfect for book lovers, musicians, or travellers. Just be sure you’re not tearing up anything too valuable.
7. Plantable Wrapping Paper
Yes, it exists. Some companies now make biodegradable wrapping paper embedded with wildflower seeds. The recipient can plant the paper after unwrapping, turning your gift into a blooming garden. A lovely zero-waste option with a surprise bonus.
8. Natural Ribbons and Ties
Swap synthetic ribbon for:
These elements add texture and a handmade touch—without plastic.
Final Tips for Sustainable Gift Wrapping
Gift wrapping doesn’t need to create a pile of rubbish by Boxing Day. With these eco-friendly ideas, you can add beauty, thoughtfulness, and sustainability to your presents, making the wrapping almost as lovely as what’s inside.
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