This logo isn't an ad or affiliate link. It's an organization that shares in our mission, and empowered the authors to share their insights in Byte form.
Rumie vets Bytes for compliance with our
Standards.
The organization is responsible for the completeness and reliability of the content.
Learn more
about how Rumie works with partners.
Do you love giving others beautifully wrapped gifts, but feel bad about all the paper you use?
Discover sustainable gift wrapping alternatives that still look amazing!
Use What You've Got
Look around your house for things like:
Baskets
Cloth napkins
Fabric scraps
String, twine, or yarn
Silk flowers from an old wreath or arrangement
Unused makeup and jewelry bags
Use these as containers and wrapping supplies!
Did you know?
Try This!
Beautiful Basket Redux
Grab a gently used basket or one you've been meaning to use but never did.
Glue on some silk flowers to pizzazz it up.
Place your gift inside, and cover with a napkin or piece of fabric.
Here's something I made with a basket that had broken handles and leftover crafting supplies, topped with a pretty napkin for beautiful wrapping!
Quiz
What else could you use from around your house?
Used greeting cards can be repurposed as gift tags. Just cut off the back of the card and use the entire front, or a portion of the front that you like, for your tag. Write your message on the back, punch a hole, and tie it on with yarn or string.
Use Natural Materials
Go to a park or beach, walk in the woods, or step into your yard and find things like:
Pine branches
Twigs
Wildflowers
Dried grasses
Autumn leaves and acorns
Shells
Use these as package embellishments!
Did you know?
Try This!
Lovely Leaf Box
Put your gift inside a box you found around your house and seal it up.
Glue autumn leaves all over the box.
Top with twigs from wild berry bushes.
Be Like a Grandma
If your grandma is anything like mine, she doesn't throw stuff away.
Don't waste these useful things that can turn into pretty wrapping with a little creativity!
Grocery and department store paper bags
Bubble wrap and boxes from online purchases
Unused decorative paper napkins (for decoupage)
Gently used tissue paper and ribbons
Food containers like oatmeal boxes, glass jars, and mint tins
Did you know?
Try This!
Holiday Present
Place gift in a recycled container.
Wrap in brown paper from your old paper bag.
Dip bubble wrap into paint to decorate the paper.
Tie up with recycled garland and embellish with a gently used tree ornament.
Wrap Your Gift with a Gift
Sometimes the gift itself can serve as the wrapping or embellishment!
Dishtowel wrapped around a jar and secured with twine
Reusable tote instead of a paper gift bag
A pretty scarf in lieu of wrapping paper
Men's tie instead of ribbon
Pens, hair ties, candy, or small toys as toppers
Try This!
Do you sew? Use leftover fabric to make simple gift sacks! They'll be a much-appreciated gift in and of themselves, and can be regifted for years to come!
Did you know?
Take Action
There are so many things you can use instead of traditional gift wrap!
Wrapping gifts in alternative ways is fun, environmentally friendly, and adds a unique touch to your gifts that your friends will appreciate!
This Byte has been authored by
Mary Ellen D'Intino
Learning Designer | Licensed Social Worker
M.Ed., LSW