Keep everything green and sustainable even during the Christmas season. No one thinks of sustainability when wrapping presents, but there are many ways to repurpose wrapping materials and keep things eco-friendly.
These ideas will get you started.
Gift wrapping using fabrics
Using fabric is one of the simplest methods, as the fabric becomes part of the gift. Wrap your presents in beautiful fabric designs with bows that match the style of the gift. Of course, fabric comes in varying sizes, colours, and patterns that can also be repurposed into wraps and reused for many different things.
Repurposing tote bags
Odd-shaped and oversized gifts can be wrapped up in repurposed tote bags. These can be bought or made using different scraps of fabric to make them more sentimental. It is also good to encourage your gift recipient to pass them on with their next gift; that way, they continue to be repurposed. This ensures the bag gets a second and third life and beyond.
Reusing gift bags
If you receive presents in gift bags, maybe it is time to reuse them. If salvageable, you can repurpose them with a newly written note to make it feel even more sentimental to the receiver. Reusing them for future gifting also lowers your environmental impact, staying true to your eco-friendly ways.
Wrapping with old newspapers
Another great idea is to use old newspapers you have instead of buying new wrapping paper. Reusing your old newspapers will make the gift more unique to your taste. It doesn’t have to be newspaper exact; even old magazine paper can suffice. Wrapping with these sustainable materials just feels more personal.
This holiday season, when gifting Christmas presents to family and friends, strive to be eco-friendly and sustainable by using reusable materials. This approach will positively impact the environment.
Compiled by Chumasande Matiwane
First published on Garden and Home
Also see: The joy of giving: 2025 Gift guide
