Doesn’t it bother you to see how much wrapping paper goes to waste each time another celebration comes? What ever happened to that cute wrapping paper you got that had shiny glitter flakes and swirly patterns all over last Christmas? It probably went in the trash, didn’t it?
In fact, a lot of those pretty gift wrappers you love are generally not recyclable. Much of that synthetic glossy stuff and even those glittery and metallic papers contain plastics, which means they will most definitely have to go straight into the trash. Every year, wrapping paper keeps getting prettier and more attractive. Unfortunately, wrapping paper in today’s world is not so eco-friendly.
So, what does this leave you with?
There are always other Eco-Friendly Gift Wrapping Alternatives. There’s the option of using old newspaper. But then again, it’s not as attractive as it appears and it wouldn’t fit well with most themes. And then there’s brown paper as a substitute for non-eco-friendly wrapping paper. Although wasteful, brown/kraft paper is actually easier to recycle than shiny wrapping paper. If you have to choose, it’s best to go for brown paper instead.
But really, what other options do you really have? After digging around the Internet for ideas, here are some of our favourites to inspire you to switch to eco-friendly gift-wrapping alternatives!
- Fabric
There are so many things you can do with fabric! From colourful scarves to large napkins, they can even serve as a bonus gift to the recipient. These can easily be found at your local thrift store. Apply a unique furoshiki-style knot to fasten your gift together and at the same time, to give your gift a special look to it.
Image credit: Architectural Digest 
Image credit: FOOD52
2. Old maps
Got some of those old travel guides or magazines that come with a map? Now it’s time to put them to good use! Turn old maps into amazing gift wraps for that beautiful vintage look that will make your gifts Instagram-worthy. You can also find these beautiful antique maps hidden away in charity shops, so be sure to pay them a visit the next time you’re out
3. Tote bags
If you know the recipient has never had a good tote in their life, then this is the perfect time for you to gift them one! A tote bag makes a good addition to their gift and you can definitely never go wrong with this safe option.
Image credit: Emmaline Bride 
Image credit: Etsy
4. Pouches, jars and reusable tins
Gifts don’t always need to be wrapped in paper. Sometimes, just a simple jar or a reusable container that is able to hold all the contents of your gift can deliver a feeling of anticipation to your receiver. Even zippered bags and pouches can be great alternatives!
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Image credit: Smashed Peas and Carrots
5. Other types of paper
Got too many of those old envelopes in various sizes in your study? It’s time to repurpose them as gift wrap.
And then there’s also plain white paper or brown/Kraft paper that you can easily get from your local office supply store. What’s best about them is that you don’t need tape to hold your package together when using these papers and you could just tie them with ribbon.
6. Boxes
With the amount of stuff you receive in the mail, surely you’ve been collecting a lot of boxes and other useful items. Recycle these boxes by converting them into gift boxes. Dress them up to your creativity by adding twine, ribbons or even tissue paper to make your gift box more attractive and as good as new!
7. Baskets
A cheaper and practical alternative, baskets can be bought just about anywhere. Find a basket that suits the size of your gift and decorate it to your liking. Your recipient will even be able to enjoy it and make use of the basket to their liking. Check out some of these examples!
Image credit: Not on the High Street 
Image credit: Servv International
8. Paper bags
The next time you receive paper bags, be sure to keep them and not throw them out because you never know when you might need them. In fact, they make excellent recycled gift-wrapping alternatives.
9. Clay Flower Pot
If you’re looking for other practical and sustainable ideas, try putting your gifts inside a clay flower pot instead! There are so many creative ways you can decorate a clay flower pot, just take a look at what we found that was done for Christmas.
10. Don’t Wrap
Or you could just not wrap your gift at all! Rather, use your imagination to make gifting a lot more interesting – like hiding your gift somewhere and have your recipient hunt for it by giving them clues.
With all these great ideas you’re sure to find an eco-friendly way of wrapping the next gift you give away. We are all becoming more conscious of our waste habits and the harm we’re doing to the planet, so let’s start making small adjustments to our everyday lives in order to start making a difference in the world.
This is one of our favourite reminders about how we all make a difference… “It’s just one straw, said 8 billion people”.
We will be sharing some great Eco Friendly tips for your upcoming events, be sure to keep an eye out on our event hire page for more info.