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!