Bakers Twine and Gift Wrap Set
These tree-friendly ways to wrap gifts, offer an alternative to plastic-wrapped rolls of wrapping paper, which often contain glitter and foil, so can’t even be recycled.
Wrap with natural baker’s twine rather than plastic ribbon (don’t compost or leave in the garden, as even natural ribbon or twine can entangle wildlife). And instead of plastic sellotape, use biodegradable Kraft eco paper tap (works as well). Keep gift wrap away from pets and small children, for obvious reasons.
You could give zero waste gifts that don’t need gift wrap (vouchers for local restaurants, theatres etc). Or use fabric gift wrap (inspired by the Japanese art of furoshiki), this knots fabric to tie gifts.
Recycled Paper Gift Wrap
- Alice Palace offers gorgeous wrapping paper on recycled paper, printed with green energy. This artist-designed gift wrap is printed with vegetable inks, sold in packs of 3 sheets. Also in a fun dog design.
- HappyWrap offers recycled paper in beautiful designs, printed using vegetable inks. Again sheets are flat (with two recycled tags, threaded with natural twine) or for a small charge, can send rolled sheets. This company also sells lokta wrapping paper, which is from a tree in Nepal that naturally sheds its bark, while continuing to grow (sustainable harvesting helps give jobs to local people).
- Curlicue offers beautiful wrapping paper sold in flat sheets or rolls, all printed using eco inks onto recycled paper. In several gorgeous designs, this company also makes matching gift tags from recycled card.
Plain Brown Gift Wrap
- Pine Cone includes 1 roll of brown kraft paper with print along with 1 roll of green jute, 1 pack of assorted green and brown gift tags and a roll of kraft paper tape. Printed with water-based inks.
- Bakers Twine and Gift Wrap Set includes 1 roll of recycled gift wrap and a roll of twin, plus 1 roll of Kraft tape and 15 tags. Brown Kraft Wrap is non-coated.
Fabric Gift Wrap
- FOLDS Gift Wrap (Bristol) is made from organic cotton (with label). Just wrap up and use the knot to secure, using the enclosed twine.
- Forever Wraps make pretty reusable fabric gift bags. Made with interlined cotton for long life, they feature matched stitched fabric ribbon in lovely designs. Choose Small (2 paperbacks, toiletries, scarves, socks) or Large (hardback book, shirts). Do not tumble dry.
- Forever Crackers mostly focuses on making reusable fabric Christmas crackers, but also has a nice little line of reusable luxury linen gift wrap in a couple of designs. In 2 sizes, the medium is good for books or small toys, the large for a few books, clothing or a box of chocolates.
- HappyWrap is made from heavyweight cotton with no lining, and 2 cotton braids, for easy wrapping. Choose Small (books, gloves, a watch, clutch bags). Or Medium (board games, shirts, large books).
Make Your Own Gift Wrap
Zero Waste Gift Wrap is a book of 30 ideas for mastering the Japanese art of furoshiki, which is a traditional technique of fabric knotting, so you don’t have to buy wrapping paper or sticky tape. You’ll master 11 knotting techniques to wrap books to bottles, then learn how to make your own gift wrap, from recycled material. Coccoina is a nontoxic glue (avoid tin version, it contains boar bristles). All glue is toxic to pets.
Gift Wrap Green is a book bursting with ideas on how to wrap gifts beautifully, while minimising waste. From simple bows and neat corners to Japanese fabric wrapping, learn how to master all the key techniques. From pleats and pockets to using old paper bags and wrapping unusual shaped gifts, like bottles. You’ll also find a section on Furoshiki fabric wrapping, and learn how to make gift wraps from tea towels!
