3 Easy, Sustainable, and Last-Minute-Friendly Gift Wrap Ideas

There are so many types of paper you can find around your house––old maps, newspapers, magazines, catalogs.

One of the most common items you likely have lying around are paper grocery bags. Brown paper grocery bags make the perfect gift wrap for gifts that are about shoebox-sized. To use, cut the bag open along one seam then cut off the bottom (and handles if it’s a handled bag). To decorate your paper, chop off the top of a raw beet and press it directly onto the grocery bag to make large red polka dots. The beet can dry out quickly so stamp the paper soon after you cut the beet so you get a nice visible print.

If you have kids, using their artwork is a great way to make a gift extra special for grandparents, aunts, and uncles.

If you are trying to wrap extra-large gifts, and you just don’t have paper around your house that’s big enough to wrap with, grab a large roll of Kraft packing paper, and decorate it. Even though you’re buying the paper as opposed to upcycling some around your house, this is still a more sustainable option than using heavily ink dyed paper that often isn’t recyclable.

This is a creative way to wrap a gift, plus doubles as a second gift since doubles as a luminary. To conceal the gift inside, paint the jar on the outside and let dry completely. Almost any type of paint will work on a mason jar––if you want the paint job to last longer, use acrylic paint, but if you want the recipient to have the option of removing the paint, use a water-based formula.

We love this idea for gift cards or other small gifts like jewelry. You can even include the candle inside with your gift so the luminary is ready to go.

Whether it’s a nice dish towel, a handkerchief, or simply some extra fabric, this form of wrapping is a classy addition to any gift. Not only do they receive an extra gift, but it makes the unwrapping experience even more meaningful and you can find fabrics with beautiful patterns.  

This works best with a square piece of fabric (furoshiki in Japanese). A typical size for a furoshiki wrap is 36 inches by 36 inches, but these can be made larger or smaller depending on what will be wrapped.

To wrap, lay out the square fabric diagonally (looking more like a diamond shape, with the tips at 12:00, 3:00, 6:00, and 9:00). Place the boxed gift in the center of the fabric. Take the left corner and wrap it over and around the right side of the box (kind of like a swaddle). Do the same with the right corner to the left side of the box. Use a piece of twine to wrap and tie a bow or knot to hold the fabric in place. Next, take the top corner and the bottom corner, bring them together, and tie a simple double knot. Alternatively, you can tie both opposite corners together to create two overlapping knots.

All of these sustainable gift wrapping ideas can be elevated by adding fresh herbs or dried fruit as a finishing touch. These options are just as beautiful as a bright bow––plus, they’re naturally biodegradable. Rosemary looks great as do dried fruits like citrus wheels. Check out the dried fruit at Sun & Swell like dried apple rings, dried persimmons, or dried pineapple rings.