According to Earth911.com, wrapping paper and shopping bags alone account for about 4 million tons of trash annually in the U.S. That’s a lot of trash!
Sure, some wrapping paper can be recycled, but a lot of it cannot. Non-paper additives such as gold or silver, tape stuck onto the paper, and non-recyclable dyes all move wrapping paper from the recyclable bin to the plain old rubbish bin. Add to that the fact that a lot of wrapping paper contains fibers that are too thin for quality recycling, and you can see why switching to reusable gift wrap would be a gift in itself to the environment!
The problem for a lot of consumers is that eco-friendly options for gift wrap can be expensive when compared to traditional wrapping paper. What about stitching reusable gift bags? A great idea, but some people may not know how to sew, and making reusable gift bags can be out of reach for these gift givers. The solution? Homemade, no-sew, reusable gift wrap. Here are six no-sew, reusable gift wrap ideas that are easy, fun, beautiful and wonderful for the environment.
1. Home Goods
What do kitchen cloths, hand towels, shower curtains, cheesecloth, pillowcases, placemats, lightweight rugs, cloth napkins, and drapes have in common? They can all be used as fun, creative, reusable gift wrap. Even better, the recipient is getting multiple gifts wrapped up neatly in one cute little package! This technique works especially well if you can theme the gift appropriately. For example, if you need a housewarming gift for a friend who loves to cook, wrap up some kitchen utensils in cheesecloth and tea towels – it is guaranteed to be a hit!
2. Scarves and Clothing
Scarves and other clothing make wonderful gift wrap, and it is priceless to see the look on a friend’s face when he or she realizes that the cloth gift wrap is actually a shirt, tie, or scarf. Try wrapping jewelry in a scarf, or a t-shirt in a sweater, for a 2-in-1 gift that your friends and family will love.
3. Reusable Felt Crackers
Do you think Christmas crackers are about the cutest things ever made? Me too! Make your own felt cracker that looks close to the real thing. This makes great reusable gift wrap that is perfect for the holiday season. To make this simple felt cracker, buy some stiff felt. If you can’t find stiff felt, standard felt, along with some fusible interfacing, will work just as well. Cut the felt (and interfacing, if you are using it) into a rectangle. Place small gifts in the center of the fabric, roll up the felt cracker, and tie off the ends with pretty ribbon (make sure to leave about 3-4 inches of felt on each end). Finally, snip the reusable cracker ends into fringes. You now have a festive felt cracker that can be used year after year!
4. Artists and Craftspeople
If you have a crafty person in your friend circle or family, they would undoubtedly appreciate receiving some raw materials from which they can create their own works of art. As anyone who is into art or crafts can tell you, it gets expensive fast, and gifts of raw materials are always appreciated. A few yards of fabric, canvas, batting, or even interfacing can make an unexpected reusable wrap that will act as a second gift for your recipient. Do you need reusable gift wrap for a knitter or crocheter? Pick up some nice yarn, and wind the yarn around small gifts. It is fun to watch the recipient unraveling the gift, thrilled at the bounty of yarn that he or she just received! Just be careful not to wind the yarn too tightly around the gift.
5. Tins and Boxes
Tins and reusable boxes are a great old classic that was “eco-friendly” before people knew the meaning of the word. Because both tins and boxes have literally hundreds of uses around the house, these types of reusable gift wrap will be around for many years. They are also a great reusable gift wrap choice for last minute wrap jobs. A tin or box, along with a pretty bow, is all you need to create a stunning gift.
6. Reusable Grocery Bags
Do you know someone who is just getting into the green life? Pick up some decorative, reusable grocery bags, and use them as reusable gift bags. This is especially well paired with food gifts!
With a little creativity, you can make fun, beautiful, inexpensive gift wrap that is as good for the environment as it is to your budget. Have fun experimenting, and don’t forget the handmade gift tags!
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Sources:
Earth911.com. Facts About Recycling Wrapping Paper. (2011). http://earth911.com/recycling/paper/wrapping-paper/facts-about-recycling-wrapping-paper/