75+ Sustainable Gift Wrapping Ideas

You’ve selected the perfect gift, now it’s time to wrap it without creating a bunch of waste. When it comes to sustainable gift wrapping ideas, you can easily create a look that’s anything from crafty to upscale. Here are pics and ideas of our favorite eco friendly gift wrapping ideas to inspire you!

I’ve been obsessed with greener, upcycled, or repurposed gift wrap for two decades. Before I joined the Green Child team in 2012, I’d been writing for three years on green gift giving. While I don’t have as much time to devote to the topic, it’s still a passion. And I’m always looking for creative ways to wrap gifts without waste.

This guide can’t possibly hold all the fun ideas I’ve tried or been inspired by… but I’ve tried to include the highlights here. I hope this inspires you to some fun and creative green gift wrapping of your own!

Sustainable Gift Wrapping = More Than Newspaper

Gone are the days when the only green and free wrapping option was the newspaper. Not many people still get the paper, but most of us have a pretty steady supply of school papers and junk mail coming into our homes. Especially if you have kids, there’s a stash of birthday party and holiday gift bags just waiting to be reused.

When it comes to most things in life, presentation is everything. Why is raspberry glaze drizzled so elegantly on top of the cheesecake? Because we enjoy food just as much with our eyes as with our taste buds.

Green gift giving takes it a step further. Not only do we want to give a meaningful gift our recipient will enjoy, we make the conscious decision not to create a bunch of waste with our special gift. And eco-friendly gift wrapping is one way to keep your gift’s impact on the recipient big… and impact on the planet small.

Eco-Friendly Gift Wrapping Ideas

Because of the dyes, laminates, and glitter in most conventional wrapping paper, not much of it is getting recycled. And speaking of store bought wrapping paper – it is expensive! It’s kind of strange how we spend several dollars on a roll of paper that’s wadded and thrown away as soon as the gift is opened.

If you want be greener and stop throwing away money, reusable or upcycled gift wrap is the way to go. Plus, reusable gift wrapping is a huge step toward a zero waste holiday. So, I hope these sustainable gift wrapping ideas will inspire you to wrap gorgeous gifts without spending much at all.

Quick Eco-Friendly Gift Wrapping Ideas

• Fabric gift bags
• Furoshiki wraps
• Reusable bags made from recycled content
• Upcycled paper (maps, sheet music, kid art)
• Kitchen towels, aprons, and oven mitts
• Mason jars and glass containers
• Baskets or galvanized buckets
• Natural embellishments (pine, rosemary, citrus slices)
• Vintage scarves and thrifted textiles
• Kraft paper with twine

Fabric Gift Bags

The greenest option is always to use what you have. You probably have a stash of paper / coated paper gift bags from birthdays and holidays. They’re not often recyclable (especially if they have glitter or embellishments). But you can use them before considering buying new bags or wrapping paper.

I have to admit, I’m a fan of gift bags because I’m not a perfectionist when it comes to wrapping with paper. So on the greener side of gift bags, fabric gift bags are the simplest solution I’ve found. Just drop the gift inside, pull the drawstring, and tie a bow.

For a great DIY sustainable gift wrapping project, you can even make your own fabric gift bags. You’ll also find festive and fun gift bags from several sellers on Etsy. The set above is from Kari Smyth Design.

In my husband’s family, Santa didn’t wrap gifts. On Christmas morning, the toys were under the tree in sections devoted to each child. Here’s another take on that approach! Petit Paradis Kids makes these darling personalized Santa sacks. They come in sizes medium, large, and extra large.

You can customize for your child’s age, name, hair color & style, eye color, skin color, clothing, and other details. Just like a personalized stocking, you can use these for years to come!

Furoshiki

Furoshiki is an age-old tradition in Japan. It’s the art of wrapping a gift in a beautiful fabric, scarf, or bandana which can be used again and again.

Don’t limit yourself to a scarf or even those beautiful fabrics sold distinctly as furoshiki wraps. I’ve used baby swaddling blankets to wrap gifts for an eco-friendly baby shower.

And when my dad retired and the family chipped in on an iMac, yours truly wrapped that giant box with a bed sheet!

Here are some beautiful examples of furoshiki with dish towels, pillow cases, and linen fabrics.

Because it looks sophisticated, furoshiki can seem complicated, but it’s really not difficult to do. Our favorite fabric wrapping expert and author of Wrapagami, Jennifer Playford, shows us just how simple it can be in the tutorial video below.

No-Tape Gift Wrapping Ideas

One of the easiest ways to make your gift wrapping more sustainable is to skip the tape altogether. Tape often keeps otherwise-recyclable paper out of the recycling bin, and most of it ends up in the trash anyway. Plus, no-tape wrapping has this beautifully simple, old-world charm that feels extra thoughtful.

Here are a few no-tape options to try:

• Furoshiki or any fabric wrap
Fabric is naturally “grippy,” so once you tie a simple knot, it stays put. Scarves, dish towels, napkins, or even a soft pillowcase can be folded and tied without a single piece of tape.

• Twine, ribbon, or cotton string
If you’re using kraft paper, old maps, or kids’ artwork, you can fold the edges neatly and secure everything with twine or a cloth ribbon. It holds surprisingly well and looks intentionally rustic.

• Tucked-and-folded kraft paper
Think of it like wrapping a lunch parcel. Fold the paper edges tightly, crease them, and tuck one side into the other. Add a simple piece of string or a sprig of greenery to finish it off.

• Reusable cloth bags or drawstring sacks
These are the ultimate no-tape option. Drop the gift in, pull the cord, and you’re done. Your recipient can reuse the bag for years.

• Oversized fabric pieces (table runners, bed sheets, linen remnants)
For big or awkwardly shaped packages, wrap them “parcel-style” in a larger cloth. Gather the fabric at the top and tie it once or twice to secure.

• Ribbon-only wrapping
Sometimes all you need is a long ribbon and a little creativity. Lay the ribbon down first, place the gift on top, fold the paper around it, and tie everything closed using the ends of the ribbon. Simple, pretty, and fully recyclable.

Recycled and Upcycled Gift Wrapping DIY Options

Other simple ways to wrap gifts sustainably involve looking for ways to use things you already have.

Here’s a great way to give edible gifts. Hope Ringer said she struggled to find a way to wrap loaves of bread in a beautiful yet practical way. She landed on using these flour sack towels and ribbon, which is genius and obvious at the same time.

For kitchen related gifts

• Wrap your gift in a colorful kitchen towel and tie a bow around it.
• Oven mitts make a nice pocket to slip a gift inside.
• Aprons are fun, and they already have the strings to tie up the present!
• Kitchen canisters can hold small gifts.
• Pots or pans make great gifts themselves or ways to hold another gift.
• Glass storage containers with lids also do double duty as a gift and a sustainable gift container. Just tie a bow around it.
• A vintage bread box makes a totally unique gift wrapping idea.
• Mason jars are perfect for edible gifts. They also make fun presentation for soaps, art supplies, or other small gifts. Add a bit of fabric or recycled tissue paper, or don’t – and let the gift speak for itself.

Baskets or buckets

• A basket makes a gorgeous eco friendly gift wrap! It also doubles as an extra gift. Most people can always find use for a basket, and if not, they’re very easy to regift.
• Place gifts inside a small galvanized gardening bucket or pail. Don’t worry about tissue paper or plastic. Just tie a festive ribbon on the handle and let the gift speak for itself.

Recycled or upcycled paper

• Newspaper can be functional and fabulous for green gift giving.
• Old travel maps make a creative presentation.
• Don’t forget about sheet music.
• If you’ve moved, save the packing paper to wrap a collection of gifts and add simple ribbons for a utilitarian look.
• Seasonally fun paper bags from grocery bags from Trader Joe’s, Earth Fare, etc. make brilliant eco-friendly wrapping for small gifts.
• Kids’ artwork makes a great upcycled gift wrap for grandparents.
• Got a sweater that shrunk in the wash or is worn out? Use it to wrap gifts. Just tie the bulky parts with twine. The sleeves can also wrap a bottle of wine nicely.

Save all the boxes

• December 26^th isn’t known as Boxing Day for nothing. If you have space, put those leftover boxes to use all year long
• Thrift stores and estate sales often have hat boxes which make amazing gift boxes and they’re so useful for storage in your closet.
• Give a food themed gift in a lunch box for kids or adults.
• Give a home improvement gift in a tool box… you get the idea.

Think outside the box

Make your gifts stand out by placing them in an unexpected seasonal item like

• A vase or flower pot
  Fill it with tissue-free crinkle paper, pine sprigs, or a cloth napkin and nestle the gift inside.
• A lantern
  Perfect for candles, small toys, or cozy winter gifts. Add a ribbon to the handle.
• An ice skate or boot (clean, of course!)
  Tuck in a small present and tie a bow around the laces for a nostalgic winter feel.
• A woven market basket
  This doubles as an extra gift, and it’s endlessly reusable.
• A vintage tin or cookie tin
  Great for small gifts, handmade treats, art supplies, or jewelry.
• A glass storage jar
  Place a tiny gift inside with a bit of dry citrus or rosemary for a natural scent.
• A colander or mixing bowl
  Add kitchen towels or utensils for a food-lover’s gift.
• A hat box
  Timeless, elegant, and ideal for clothing or soft items.
• A picnic basket
  Perfect for experience gifts, family gifts, or anything cozy and outdoorsy.
• A watering can
  Slip gardening gifts inside for a clever spring-forward nod.
• A reusable lunchbox
  Great for kids’ gifts, art supplies, or small tools.
• A holiday stocking
  Not just for the mantle – use one as the wrapping itself.
• A reusable tote bag
  Fold the top over and tie with a ribbon for an instantly wrapped, zero-waste gift.
• A decorative bowl
  Ceramic or wooden bowls make beautiful, practical “wrapping.”
• A lidded basket or seagrass box
  These always look intentional and chic.
• A thermos or insulated bottle
  Slip a note or small rolled item inside — coffee gift cards, tea samplers, even socks.
• A birdhouse
  A sweet, unexpected container for a small garden or nature-inspired gift.

Let Mother Nature provide the embellishments

Bringing the outdoors in makes your gift and your holiday decorating natural and sustainable.

• Banana leaves can wrap a small gift.
• Add a holly leaf, birch bark, or a bird feather embellishment.
• The same goes for cinnamon sticks or a rosemary sprig – plus your gift will smell amazing!
• Wrap a ribbon through a small pinecone and tie it to your gift.

Upcycled Gift Tags and Accessories

There’s really no reason to ever spend your money on those little gift tags. Just a little bit of DIY effort can yield beautifully creative results.

• Save the holiday cards from family and friends each year to use as gift tags. They’re usually nice quality card stock. Simply cut out the prettiest section of the care, punch a hole, tie a ribbon through it and add to your gift.
• Try the DIY clay gift tags shown above. They used cookie cutters and air dry clay to make those simple and pretty tags.
• You can also DIY plantable seed gift tags. If DIY is not your thing, you can also buy them. Made from paper embedded with seeds, your recipient can just plant the tag and watch it grow.

Eco-Friendly Wrapping Paper

You may be surprised at how cool recycled papers can look. Newspaper, paper grocery bags, moving / packing paper are easy to access options you probably have on hand. You can also use kids’ artwork as wrapping or embellishing.

The examples shown here include an Earth Fare bag with a simple ribbon, old stationery note, and a snowflake ornament, and packing paper (still crinkly!) dressed up with ribbon and a hand-sewn ornament.

If nothing else will do but a roll of wrapping paper, choose a sustainable option. Look for a recycled version that isn’t glittery and laminated.

Kraft paper is a recyclable, affordable option. This will help the chances of it being recycled after the big day. There are companies out there making 100% post-consumer fiber, manufactured with wind power, FSC Certified, and carbon neutral.

It makes sense to purchase paper goods from a company with a history and reputation in the sustainable paper business, rather than grabbing the first cheap $2 roll at the discount store. Remember, we’re voting with our dollars ALL the time. Make those votes count by supporting the types of businesses you want to see flourish.

Less is More with Sustainable Gift Wrapping

Just because you’re going unconventional, it doesn’t mean you should overdo it. A natural ribbon on brown paper can go a long way toward making the gift look classy. And the goal with reducing your gift-giving footprint goes hand in hand with simplifying your life.

For more sustainable gift wrapping ideas, check out our Gorgeously Green Gift Wrapping board on Pinterest.

If you need more ideas for your holiday gifting, you’re sure to find the perfect present in our gift guides:

Kids

Nontoxic Gifts for Babies

Eco-Friendly Gifts for Toddlers

The Best Green Gifts for Kids – Ages 5 to 11

Gifts for Tweens + Teens

Mindfulness Gifts for Kids

Gifts for Kids Who Do Yoga

Experience Gifts for Kids and Grownups

Adults

Eco-Friendly Gifts for Her

Eco-Friendly Gifts for Him

Useful Gardening Gifts

Stocking Stuffers for Adults

Self-Care Gifts

Pets

Eco-Friendly Gifts for Pets