Eco Gift Wrapping

WRAP IT

UP!

WORDS BY MADDIE QUINN

Luxury Furoshiki wraps supporting artists @ www.wrappr.com

With the festivities approaching, we look at some of the more sustainable solutions for gift wrapping, without losing the wow factor of the presentation, easing the strain on the planet at the same time.

Every holiday season we throw away an excessive amount of non recyclable wrapping materials and decorations, and most of the time their purpose is only served for a few days at the most. It has been estimated that if each family in the USA for example, used reusable materials for just three of their holiday gifts, it would save enough paper to cover 45,000 football fields (source: Printful). So this year we decided to give you some inspiration for alternative wrapping, some easy and affordable ways to make your gifts look good but also eco friendly.

FUROSHIKI TEXTILE WRAPPING

Furoshiki is a Japanese fabric wrap that has a 1200 year tradition. The art of Furoshiki was originally used to wrap just about everything in textile, from clothing and carry tools to any personal possessions and also gifts. The methods of the wrapping can be as easy or as

Kraft Brown Gift Wrap Bundle @ www.etsy.com

complex as you like; there are plenty of sources on the internet that demonstrate the techniques for covering objects of different shapes and sizes. Whether you opt for a pretty square scarf or a minimalistic piece of natural fabric, what makes Furoshiki a perfectly eco-friendly alternative is that it's simple and reusable.

Reusable wrapping cloth @ www.sinplastico.com

KRAFT PAPER AND NATURAL MATERIALS

If you opt for using paper, know that anything shiny, laminated, glossy and glittery can't be recycled, so move away from the glam look to be replaced with the eco-chic vibe. Kraft paper is a perfect biodegradable and recyclable option, that can be spiced up with some natural seasonal materials like pine twigs, dried flowers or dried orange slices. If you don't have any of these materials at home handy, there is a large selection of ecological wrapping paper, kraft card paper tags, natural brown jute twine and even homemade solutions to be found on shopping sites like www. etsy.com

TOTE BAGS, GIFT BOXES AND JARS

Now is the time to dig-up all those fab totes you have been collecting but not using as an alternative for some of your gifts. Save boxes, sachets and gift sleeves throughout the year which can then be redecorated and used for gifting occasions. You can even use cute glass jars for some smaller presents jazzed up with a little colour and a bow wrapped around them. e

Grass paper cards and all sustainable wrapping material @ www.green-planet-paper.co.uk