Whether it’s a special occasion or a surprise, gifts bring you joy and make your day better– especially gifts wrapped pretty on the outside. It may take just a few seconds to rip the package open, but that additional moment of excitement is significant, making the presentation equally important as the gift. No matter how unique, meaningful, or entertaining the actual gift is, the right wrapping heightens the rush.

But wait— is your wrapper green enough to spread cheer towards the environment as well? Exactly.

Here is a list of ways you can adorn your gifts while keeping the eco-friendly theme alive.

• Tea Towels

Tea towels can be made into nice DIY gift wraps. They’re soft, eco-friendly, and could come in various types of patterns or none at all. You can use tea towels as a ‘Furoshiki’ and wrap them around the gift. Furoshiki is the Japanese term for a square piece of cloth, commonly used to wrap items like bento boxes (lunch boxes), important goods, and even treasures. The name refers to both the art and the cloth itself. The Furoshiki art of gift wrapping has become very popular in many cultures. Why not incorporate it in your gifts too? A very elegant and productive idea for gift wrapping that you can customize however you want.

• Muslin Drawstrings

Cotton muslin drawstrings are popular as packing cubes, storage bags, and even as stylish gift wraps. Pack fruits, baked goods, spices, party favors, candies, and jewelry in a lovely organic cotton muslin bag to contribute to the zero-waste movement. You can also add a cotton-strand bow over the drawstring seal to make it look prettier! 

• Hem Twines For Ribbons 

If you see rolls or strings of leftover ropes, strings or hem twines around you, pick them up and stash them away for future use. These strings can be substitutes for ribbons on gift boxes. Add a rustic look to your gifts while practicing zero-waste– win-win!  

• Old Paper Bags

Paper bags can be used for many purposes, one of them being excellent gift wraps. Customize it with ribbons, paper tapes, dry flowers, and voila– your gift is packed and all ready to be delivered in 2-3 easy steps. 

• Glass jars 

You can do so many things with glass jars instead of throwing them out in the trash. Use them to gift small items or edibles. Plus, the transparent body also makes the gift look antique and sophisticated. Wrap the neck of the jar with a pretty ribbon and your gift is all set. If you’re a bit on the artistic side, you can even paint the jar to decorate it. Painted jars are a bonus– your loved ones can use them for interior decor! 

Conclusion 

Single-use wrapping papers picked off supermarket shelves are mostly made out of non-biodegradable materials called mylar— a plastic film coated with aluminum. While the plastic itself is unacceptable, it also contains harmful chemicals known as VOCs. Yet, blinded by the glitters and aesthetics, we continue to be none the wiser. Never realizing what comes after— the sorry sight of shiny plastic wrappers, ribbons, boxes, etc., littering our bins, streets, and ultimately the planet. Lost in a ‘use and throw’ culture where getting new products in just a click is the constant, we fail to see the eco-societal damage behind our actions. The repercussions on our planet are becoming evident and almost irreversible. We say almost because there is still time to reverse the situation— one way to do so is by incorporating green and zero-waste wrapping ideas into your gifts for a greener and healthier future. 

If you are a brand looking for eco-friendly options to package your products or gift with purchase (GWP) ideas, then try our drawstring muslin bags, bulk makeup bags or even wholesale aprons. Our products are made with organic cotton, and they are GOTS and Fairtrade Certified.