Non-Recyclable Wrapping Paper? Just Say No!
Eco Friendly Gift Wrapping
You’d be surprised how easy it can be to replace wrapping paper with more eco-friendly options. Giving gifts wrapped with care is a delight. Instead of buying new wrapping paper that will end up in the landfill, use a produce bag, tea towel, bandanna, newspaper, sheet music, map, or scarf… the possibilities for creative wrapping are endless! Plus, your present will look unique and beautiful.
After five minutes of looking around Art From Scrap we had so many ideas!
Maps: The easiest way to start is just grab some old maps and wrap your presents with them. Bonus if you can find maps that have a special meaning for the person receiving the gift. Some bright yarn makes for an easy bow on top. Then add a leather scrap for a cool gift tag that could become a key chain after all the presents are unwrapped.
Fabric: Fabric is a great reuse wrapping material that can be used again and again. The art of Furoshiki, Japanese fabric wrapping, uses folding and knotting the fabric to create beautiful packages. No tape is required for this incredible technique. A google search will show you lots of tutorials and methods, but we like to use this simple technique. First, get a square or rectangular piece of fabric that can cover the thing you want to wrap. Place your gift in the center of the fabric. Next, take one corner and fold it over the gift. Then take the adjacent corner and fold that over toward the first corner you folded. Your gift should now be covered with a corner out on each side. I bring these corners together at the top center of the package and tie them in a knot. You could also twist them to create a handle. Then you have your beautiful reuse wrapping without a piece of tape in sight!
Cork Stamping: If you are wanting to decorate your gift boxes or wrapping paper yourself we suggest cork stamping. Take a cork and draw the shape you want to stamp on the top. Simple geometric shapes seem to work the best. Draw the shapes you want, then use an X-Acto knife to carefully cut around the shape. Dip the cork into any thick paint. Press it firmly, then test it on a scratch paper to make sure you are getting your image. Then stamp away! If you want to keep it low tech and kid friendly. use veggie stamps! The base of a celery bunch makes a gorgeous rosette. Brussels sprouts cut in half look amazing.
Visit the Art From Scrap Creative Reuse Store to see what inspires you this holiday season. We are open Wednesdays through Saturdays 11:00 – 4:00. Art From Scrap will be closed from December 19th until January 2nd, reopening on January 5th.
Happy Holidays!
Josh was born and raised in Santa Barbara, where his passion and curiosity for the environment began and has continued to grow. During his undergraduate studies, Josh pursued this interest at the University of California at Santa Cruz, receiving a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Studies.
Melissa Dodos developed her passion for creative reuse as a mother of four and elementary educator over the past 25 years. She loves to inspire creativity by connecting people with resources and ideas.
Veronica grew up in San Diego and spent four years in San Luis Obispo studying Animal Science at Cal Poly. As an undergrad she learned lots about livestock, agriculture, and wildlife.
Stephanie began her journey as an educator over twenty years ago working as a preschool teacher in Washington state for a cooperative preschool program affiliated with Whatcom Community College. She loved observing the wonder and curiosity of the children and bringing them out into nature to explore the natural world. She continued her love for learning and got her teaching license and then her Montessori certification and worked as an elementary teacher in Tribal, Public, and Montessori schools. She collaborated to create a school garden and her students loved it so much that it became a special place where they could garden, read, explore, play, and it provided a safe sanctuary for students to calm down and reset when they were having difficult moments.
Morgan’s mermaid soul is always seeking adventure—swimming a relay across the Santa Barbara Channel and taking the first photo of a newborn orca off Anacapa Island being standout experiences close to home.
Lindsay Johnson
