Master (Savvy) Wrapper

Dec 1

Dec 1 Master (Savvy) Wrapper

It’s that time of year, and we know what that means - gifts. And with gifts, comes wrapping, and with unwrapping comes waste. Since we know reducing our waste is a savvy sustainable choice, we got to thinking about alternative, eco-friendly options to traditional wrapping materials and we are excited to share them with you now! We think you’ll be excited too because let’s just say you definitely don’t have to sacrifice fun and beautiful wrapping for a more sustainable choice.

Before we share though, let’s clear up a few things out there so you know why this is important.

Is wrapping paper recyclable? You might be asking at this point, “why do I need wrapping alternatives? Can’t I just recycle wrapping paper? Well the answer is, it depends. Regular wrapping paper without any extra frills like glitter or foil can be recycled. However, you have to ensure that you or the gift recipient is actually disposing of said paper properly, and that might not always be easy.
Can tape be recycled? Some tapes can be recycled, such as those made out of paper. Not surprisingly though, the most popular tapes available are not, and therefore are not recyclable. So if you do need to use tape for your gift wrapping, choose a paper-based tape or look at some of the alternative wrapping ideas below to avoid altogether!
What about other adornments, such as ribbons and bows? Like tape, unless they are specifically made out of recyclable material, the most common of adornments like ribbons, bows that are available are not, and therefore cannot be recycled.

So now that we’ve cleared those questions up, let’s get into some of our favorite alternative wrapping methods! Check them out:

You probably already have some of these on hand from a store run where you’ve forgotten your reusable bag, but if you don’t, they are super easy to come by and they are free. So we love these as a win-win option for wrapping alternatives. Not only that, but we personally LOVE the way these packages look. There is just something so comforting and cozy about them. Adding a bit of flare with biodegradable twine or natural elements such as pine, tree branches, or cinnamon sticks definitely will impress whoever the recipient of the gift is. They’re almost to pretty to even want to see what’s underneath. Almost…

Photo Courtesy of *Tijana Drndarski* / *Unsplash*

Forego Tape Altogether

That’s right! You don’t even need tape to secure your wrapping for a pretty present. We like this easy tutorial by BeatTheBush - it is so simple to follow and makes us feel great we are using one less product that will just end up as waste. This is also great if you are planning on using traditional recyclable wrapping paper because it means saving time picking off the residual tape after in order to recycle properly.

We all are guilty of it - having items in our closets we will never wear again (or never wore to begin with). Yet upcycling these clothing items as gift wrap is a great, savvy way to reduce waste and save money. We especially like any prints, such as plaid, that have a festive vibe and can add color to your parcels. Try cutting them into strips and repurposing them as bows, as see below! You can also cut larger fabric into squares and use as you would traditional paper for a fabric wrapping option. Get creative with it and we’re sure you’ll be happily surprised how your presents turn out.

Hitting up thrift stores is a great way to find materials you can use as wrapping. Bonus is that you’ll give your gifts a vintage feel, which we think is always classy. Think old maps, scarves, vintage postcards, or classic cookie tins. If you go this route you know your dollars will go a long way and it will really let you get inspired to create a unique looking gift for your loved ones.