Kiddipedia
The holiday season is a time for giving, sharing, and spreading joy. However, it also comes with a significant environmental impact due to the massive amounts of waste generated from gift wrapping. Traditional wrapping paper, like Christmas crackers, is often coated with plastic, glitter, and metallic finishes. These coatings make the paper not recyclable and contribute to the increasing problem of landfill waste during the festive period.
Luckily, there are many creative and eco-friendly alternatives to traditional gift wrapping that not only reduce plastic and paper waste during the festivities, but also add a unique, personal touch to your presents.
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Furoshiki (Fabric Wrapping)
Originating from Japan, Furoshiki is the art of wrapping gifts in fabric. This method is not only elegant but also sustainable, as the fabric is usually made of pure cotton, and can be reused multiple times. You can use scarves, bandanas, tea towels, or any piece of fabric you have at home or you can find these in second hand opp shops across Australia. If you’re unsure how to fold the cloth, you can find tutorials online on how to use it in form of Youtube videos or blog articles. There are many Furoshiki techniques using different wrapping styles, and all of them will make your gift look unique!
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Old Newspapers and Magazines
Repurposing old newspapers and magazines is another eco-friendly gift-wrapping idea. This method gives a second life to printed materials that would otherwise end up in the recycling bin (if you recycle!). You can choose pages with interesting prints, headlines, or images that align with the interests of the person you are gifting to. For instance, a comic strip for a fan of comics or a piece of paper from a beautiful baby magazine for a baby gift. Add a colourful ribbon or a piece of natural cotton string, and you can immediately elevate the look of the gift.
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Reusable Cloth Bags
Many people don’t have time to wrap a present nicely or are not as good at it, so reusable cloth bags represent a great sustainable alternative that is also very practical and time saving. The recipient can reuse the bag for shopping, storage, or as a bag for their lunch box etc. You can find a variety of sizes and patterns that suit different gifts, from small pouches for jewellery to larger bags for bulkier items. To add a festive touch, you can choose bags with Christmas-themed prints (like the ones Woolworths was handing out in the past years) or add your own decorations, such as fabric paint or embroidery.
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Upcycled Materials like Maps, Sheet Music, Calendars
Look around your home for materials that can be upcycled into creative gift wrapping. Old maps, sheet music, or scrap book paper and even calendars can be transformed into unique wraps. Using upcycled materials not only reduces waste, but also adds a personal touch to your gift. For example, wrapping a gift on an old map could be perfect for a travel enthusiast, while sheet music might delight a music lover. You can also use leftover ribbons, buttons, or yarn to add decorative elements.
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Decorative Tin Boxes and Jars
Tin boxes and glass jars make excellent reusable containers for smaller gifts. If you have tin boxes in great condition, you can decorate the outside with paint, ribbons, or stickers, and the inside can be filled with goodies like homemade cookies, lollies, or small trinkets. For the glass jars, you can use a little piece of fabric to cover the lid, which is often branded, and then a string to place around the jar neck. This option is great for homemade gifts like treats, pickles, jam, or even body scrub!
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Brown Kraft Paper
We left Brown Kraft paper as the last option, as it’s better first to utilise upcycled materials that you have lying at home. However, Kraft paper is an alternative to traditional wrapping paper when you have no other option. It’s fully recyclable, biodegradable, and can be personalized in countless ways. You can decorate the paper with stamps, doodles, or handwritten messages. Tying the gift with twine, adding sprigs of greenery, or attaching dried flowers can give your presents a rustic, yet warm earthy effect. Brown Kraft paper is also budget-friendly, making it an excellent choice for when you have to wrap multiple gifts.
Conclusion
Switching to eco-friendly gift wrapping alternatives is a small but impactful step toward reducing waste during the Christmas season. Another major source of (plastic) waste and carbon footprint is the Christmas tree, but we’ll cover this in another article. By choosing creative and sustainable materials to wrap your presents, you can give your gifts a personal and thoughtful touch while also caring for the environment. This holiday season, consider making the wrapping as meaningful as the gift itself. This inspires some conversations about sustainability and encourages others to do the same.
Simona Paganetto
Founder of I’m Plastic Free
