What is the most eco-friendly way to wrap presents? We have some creative ideas from recyclable wrapping paper to clever ways to reduce-reuse-recycle regular everyday items to beautifully wrap your holiday gifts in the most sustainable way!

Here are 10 of our favourite eco-friendly wrapping ideas to reduce waste this season...

1) Recycled paper:

Map DIY Wrapping Paper

By far the easiest option - reuse newspaper, magazines, old gift wrap or leftover packaging. Another cool idea is to use old book sleeves, maps or old takeaway menus anything that might otherwise be thrown away. Add a dash of holiday cheer by decorating with washi tape or hand blocking patterns with paint.

“From embellishments to hand-drawn elements there are tons of ways to make your presents for others pop.” DIYS.com

2) Fabric

Use scarves, tea towels, pillow cases or even clothes to bundle your gifts. For those of you who are a bit craftier you can cut and sew recycled clothes or fabric into simple drawstring bags that can be re-used for gift giving. Add a fabric bow and you are done.

“If the piece of cloth is big enough, use a funky furoshiki-style knot to fasten it. Look, even Marie Kondo's doing it!” Tree Hugger

3) Tote Bag

sustainable tote bag for wrapping gifts

Under the stairs, in the kitchen cupboard – we all have a stash of tote bags, more than we will ever need. Select some cloth totes and use it as a gift bag to wrap up your gift. Hopefully your recipient will find a good use for the tote keeping the re-use cycle going. This idea can also apply to small paper bags from shops as well. Want it to be a bit more personal? Have your kids draw over the bag with a permanent marker.

"I’ve talked about my reusable tote bag problem before, and how they may not be as eco-friendly as we think. But, chances are high that you already have a ton of them sitting in the closet, so you could choose a cute one and use it as a gift bag." Ecocult

4) Glass Jars and Bottles

glass jars and bottles for gift giving

Glass jars and bottles are a great idea for edible or smaller, softer gifts.

We love these copper lidded glass jars or these cute honeycomb glass jars. For glass bottles check out this glass bottle with rope finish or this set of 12 glass jars with cork lids!

” Line the glass with recycled tissue paper or fabric to conceal its contents and the reusable jar will also form part of the gift. Genius!” Natural Nerd

5) Old Toilet Paper Rolls

Pillow boxes from upcycled toilet paper rolls

Quite topical given the Covid hoarding of toilet paper - there should be enough rolls out there for ample gifts! Decorated Toilet rolls filled with treats can also make great stand-ins for Christmas crackers.

“Start decorating as you like, you can paint it or cover it then just fold inwards one end, as you can see in the photo, slide in the gift and do the same thing with the other end. And your package is ready!” Eco Bnb

6) Children’s Art Work

Childrens artwork for giftwrapping

If you have children and have kept hold of all their "masterpieces" from school then now is the time to clear the cupboard and put them to good use.

“Children’s artwork is so unpredictable and looks great as unique wrapping paper. It’s also a great way to reuse all that artwork you can’t bear to toss (a particular hit with grandparents).” The Art of simple.

7) Kombucha Fabric

kombucha fabric for gift wrapping

If you have been making Kombucha regularly like us then you will have a growing SCOBY hotel or farm. Did you know you can dry these out and they become a leather like material that you can then colour and design.

“Once the water is fully evaporated peel the cellulose from the surface carefully and explore the possibilities with dyes, forms and fashion.” Instructables

8) Banana leaf

If you are in Asia, chances are you can easily get hold of some banana leaves- These are huge and make the best wrapping paper.

“Show mother earth some TLC by ditching paper wraps this year and wrap all your gifts in tender banana leaves instead...these look gorgeous and are eco-friendly and decomposable too.” Chef Payal Gupta:

9) Egg Cartons

egg carton for gift wrap idea

Eggs are a very common item in the shopping trolley and make a really pretty gift package.

“Egg cartons are such unique useful little things they just beg to be re-used, perfect for homemade goodies such as chocolates or sweeties, or a lucky packet with lots of little gifts.” Faithful to Nature

10) Sustainable wrapping paper

wrappily sustainable wrapping paper ideas

If you do have to purchase some paper then check out Wrappily, “ Wrap, rip, recycle.” Is their motto! who take great patterns and print them on 100% recyclable newsprint.

Or this large roll of Clairefontaine 100% recycled stars paper HERE

Merry Christmas to all our readers and guests.

We hope you have a happy sustainable holiday season!