• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Hello Nest

The Art of Making a Home

  • Green Cleaning
    • Air Fresheners
    • Bathroom
    • Bedroom
    • Kitchen
    • Laundry
  • Natural Living
    • Homemade Recipes
    • Essential Oils
    • Plants & Flowers
    • Zero Waste
    • Organizing & Simplifying
  • DIY & Decor
    • Candle Projects
    • Holiday Projects
    • Sewing Projects
  • About
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube

7 Eco Friendly Gift Wrap Ideas (+ Free Gift Tag Download)

1 · Dec 15, 2019 · Stephanie Gerber · Leave a Comment

When the holidays roll around I always admire the lovely wrapping paper and beautiful bows. It’s so colorful and pretty. But at the same time, I cringe a bit because it also means it’s going to end up in a heap on the floor and in the trash can. The frugal side of me, as well as the “green” side of me, yearns for eco-friendly ways to wrap gifts that are either recyclable, biodegradable or reusable. So I’ve gathered together some ideas for wrapping gifts that are green and eco-friendly – but still stylish!

7 Eco Friendly Gift Wrap Ideas

1. Reusable bags

This is one of the most popular eco-friendly options out there. You can find bags of all sizes, made from different materials (canvas is a sturdy option) and closure styles. I have seen friends make giant bags out of holiday fabric for Santa to fill. The top is tied with a ribbon with a name tag for each child.

2. Baskets

This is a great option because there are so many different shapes and sizes of baskets. I used one for my homemade hot cocoa gift. They are easy to find and usually inexpensive. (I’m always trying to be frugal!)

They are great for food gifts especially, but work great for other gifts too. Just be sure to use baskets that are sturdy enough for the gift so the bottom doesn’t break when lifted.

3. Recycled Paper

Reuse brown paper bags, maps, sheet music, pages from old encyclcopedias, craft paper, etc. This is probably the easiest, least expensive option because chances are you already have all you need on hand.

You can make it pretty and festive by decorating the paper. This is also a fun option that kids can help with – painting, stenciling, stamping, coloring, etc, to personalize the wrapping for friends and family.

4. Cloth

Use large pieces of fabric, napkins, dishtowels, or scarves in place of wrapping paper. The cloth could be part of the gift, or something you make for gift wrapping purposes to use over and over again.

Thrift and antique stores are a great place to look for napkins and small tablecloths. To secure the cloth on the present, use twine, ribbon, yarn, or jute to gather at the top, or you could even fasten with safety pins.

5. Gift boxes

You can purchase boxes and reuse over and over, or save boxes from gifts you receive. This box is covered with decorative paper. I also have a box where I place bits of ribbon and string to reuse.

Perfect for smaller boxes like the one pictured. Another fun idea is to make small gift boxes from orange juice cartons, cereal boxes, cans, or other containers.

6. Large glass jars

This is one of my favorite ways to give gifts. They’re not just for food gifts either! Inside that jar, I’ve wrapped up a necklace, some lotion and lip balm.

If you want, you can line it with tissue paper (saved from a shopping bag) or fabric (scarf, napkin, etc.) to preserve the element of surprise.

7. Print your own gift tags

It seems like every time I go to wrap I spend 20 minutes looking for a gift tag. The lovely folks at Free People designed these gift tags (download here and here) so you can print your own to save time, money and trees. If you don’t want to print anything on paper, you might like these reusable gift tags made from cornstarch clay. 

What are your favorite ways to stay green during the holiday season?

1

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)

Holiday Projects, Zero Waste 12, nest

More Posts from Holiday Projects

  • 5 Products That Helped Me Go (Almost) Zero-Waste in the Kitchen

    5 Products That Helped Me Go (Almost) Zero-Waste in the Kitchen

  • Compost Basics

    A Beginner’s Guide To Indoor Composting

  • 10 Ways to Use Leftover Fresh Herbs Before They Go Bad

  • How To Break Up With Paper Towels for Good!

  • DIY Pressed Flower Easter Eggs

  • 9 Tips for Zero Waste Grocery Shopping


Reader Interactions

Leave a ReplyCancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Get updates + more!

Get the exclusive content you crave straight to your inbox.

Featured DIY

27 Green Cleaning Uses for Baking Soda

27 Green Cleaning Uses for Baking Soda

DIY Lemon Lavender Rug Freshening Powder

DIY Beeswax Wood Polish

7 Tips for Washing a Lot of Dishes – Fast!

How to Make Citrus Infused Vinegar + 17 Ways to Use Vinegar for Cleaning

More

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Hello Glow
  • Hello Veggie

Copyright © 2023 · Seasoned Pro