Reusable, Recyclable Gift Wrap Alternatives

Think outside the roll of wrapping paper this Christmas. Prevent waste & save resources instead!

​By Janeen Ellsworth

​I come from the kind of family that hollers at each other for tearing gift wrap off of presents too aggressively.

For as long as I can remember, the phrase “Be careful!” has been shouted at every birthday and Christmas celebration by at least one Irish Mother Hen, directed at any child attempting to enjoy the act of receiving.

“Don’t rip that paper or we’ll never be able to use it again!” they always say.
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Which might explain some things about me.

And there was always someone on hand each holiday whose job it was to dutifully gather up any strewn-about wrapping paper, carefully fold it, and stash it away in a bag to be used again next year.
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And, man, would we use that paper again and again, until it went yellow and brittle.

Alas, you and I find ourselves at the brink of yet another wrapping-paper-mania season. I can already hear the cries of “Be careful!” ringing in my head.
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But this year, I’m prepared. I’m challenging myself to use only reusable, upcycled, or otherwise sustainable gift wrap for all the presents I’m offering loved ones.

December's Monthly Challenge is to use less packaging, after all...

That's me, Christmas circa 1979, being careful not to tear the box too. (Thanks, mom)

Who’s with me?

We can get creative, thinking beyond the confines of your average glossy, festive gift bag--which, if you’re not reusing every year until they’re mangled beyond repair, you should be ashamed of yourself! (At least that’s what the Irish Mother Hens in my family would say!)
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I’ve gone ahead and gathered up a bunch of alternative gift wrap ideas from around the web-o-sphere to share with you, and I’ve added in a few of my own to get you thinking outside that new roll of wrapping paper before your gift-prep commences. Ready, set, wrap! 

​Brown Paper or Fabric

Blogger Kristen Lindsay offers ideas that are sleek and classic, often using stuff you might already have around your house: think brown paper (like shopping bags turned inside out, or the stuffing you get inside delivery boxes), or ordinary burlap, with a sprig of evergreen added to fancy it up. She even gives a tutorial on DIY-ing your own fabric gift bag, draw string and all. Boom!

​Towels or Blankets

Wellness Mama blogger and author, Katie Wells, has lots of cool ideas. In particular, I like the idea of making your wrapping an actual part of the gift itself: as in, wrap that new body lotion gifty inside a nice towel or blanket and you’ve got yourself a two-fer. Genius!
 
Maps, Sheet Music & Other Odds and Ends

And I found this link from Lindsay over at Passionate Homemaking in a vault from ten years ago—which feels like a century in blogging years--but it still applies, because we’re still trying to figure out how to be “frugal and green” at the same time. I love her idea of using old sheet music or even a map as wrapping paper.
 
Shabby, Chic & Anything in Between
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You could take it a step further and yank old pages right out of your kid’s coloring books to wrap a small present. Or the phone book. Or an out-of-date encyclopedia, which probably has some great photos. If the item to be wrapped is small enough, you could fashion this darling paper cone, secure it with tape, and hide that little prize inside. 

If the gift that needs wrapping is large, do like my grandma, Mimi, always did, and wrap your gifts in the comics section of the newspaper. The receiver of your gift will get to enjoy Family Circus or Cathy punchlines before (and after!) they tear it open (yes, these comics are still around!).

At my house, we like to decorate our own wrapping paper. You know those big sheets of cream-colored paper that stores send your breakables home wrapped in? We reuse those and really any paper that comes in delivery boxes. Smooth them out as best you can, then hand your kid a couple of daubers or markers and have them get to work making dots or designs. Soon you’ll have lovely polka-dotted wrapping paper that looks cheerful and festive.
 
Gifts in the Buff…(or not)
My husband, the original Reductionist, is a huge fan of not bothering to wrap stuff at all. Sure, he might stick a (reused) bow on top of a gift, like he does my dark chocolate candy bars (ahem, honey, did you remember?) every year.  

But a fully naked gift that’s just sitting there under the tree with no cloak at all probably won’t go over well for your average gift-receiver who’s more accustomed to traditional wrapping.
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That’s why Christmas stockings come in so handy. I suppose you could stuff just about anything into an old sock and call it a day, but when you’re stuffing a stocking, why bother wrapping that present, too? Definitely go nudist when you’re inside the cover of red faux-velvet.

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Ribbons, Ties, and Bling-a-ding-ding

Yarn from that knitting project you never finished can gussy up a present wrapped in boring ol’ brown. Stamps, stickers, glitter glue, or a bow made of pipe-cleaner, with a couple of beads threaded on, can also add just the right amount of flare. 

​I love receiving a gift that’s got a doodad like a cookie cutter or tree ornament tied into the bow, which can really take a plain burlap box to the next level. Plus, extra prize! And, as some other eco bloggers have suggested, tucking a sprig of greenery, or a happy note even, into the ties of a string can make it so much more memorable and appreciated.

I want to see how creative your holiday wrapping ideas go! Send me pics of how you’re presenting your presents! Share them on Facebook or Instagram and tag me!