SUSTAINABLE SURPRISES: ECO FRIENDLY GIFT WRAPPING IDEAS FOR EVERY OCCASION!

Written By: Bec
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​Traditional gift wrap is often made up of non-recyclable materials. Which leads to lots of unnecessary waste. But what if I told you that this could be avoided? That with a little creative thinking, a sustainable alternative that works perfectly for you and your celebration is out there?

Enter this list of eco friendly gift wrapping ideas!

Not only do these low or zero waste options help reduce your environmental impact, but they also leave a lasting impression on their recipients. I mean, it's not everyday that you're handed a beautifully presented gift that just oozes love and thoughtfulness! 

Ready to make a positive impact, one gift at a time? Find our favourite ideas below...

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Related: How to Host a Low Waste Event
Related: Stunning Natural Confetti Ideas

ECO FRIENDLY GIFT WRAPPING (QUICK OVERVIEW)

Sustainable surprises are some of the best! These beautiful eco-friendly gift wrap ideas range from reusable bags (canvas, cloth, burlap, paper, upcycled materials) and low-waste wrapping (bamboo paper, beeswax wraps, fabric, old magazines, old maps, plantable paper, recyclable paper) to unique packaging ideas (glass jars, tins, practical items). Finish these off with beautiful, natural embellishments (such as dried flowers or herbs, cinnamon sticks or pinecones) and you have yourself a conscious gifting experience to remember!
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Check out our favourite eco-friendly gift wrap ideas on Etsy!
★ Click here to view our hand-picked collection ★

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Ultimate List of Eco-Friendly Gift Wrap Ideas

REUSABLE GIFT BAGS
​Love a practical gift? Then a reusable bag might be the ideal packaging choice for you! Not only are they quick and easy to use (just pop your present in and you're good to go), but they can also be repurposed by the recipient (either for future gifts, or if they love the bag enough, in their everyday life). And this isn't even the best part. These reusable beauties also come in many shapes, sizes and colours; making them perfect for a variety of gifts, themes and occasions. 

The types of bags you may look at using include:

• Brown paper bags (with handles)
• Canvas tote bags
• Cloth gift bags

• DIY linen bags
• Jute or burlap bags​
• Mesh or net bags​

• Paper shopping bags​
• Upcycled material bags

​Handy Hint:
We love to reuse! And a great thing about these gift bags is that they can be sourced from a number of locations. Friends, family or your local thrift store are a great place to start, as is your cupboard at home. If you're handy with a sewing machine, upcycling materials (such as old table cloths) into beautiful bags is a great way to add a personalised touch to the final product.

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ECO-FRIENDLY WRAPPING PAPER
There are so many reasons why we choose eco-friendly paper over conventional wrapping paper. Not only does it help us reduce our environmental impact, but it's also SUPER creative, so very versatile, incredibly thoughtful AND it encourages others to go for more sustainable materials in their gift giving escapades. It's still festive, it's still fun, and it's our favorite way to add a unique touch to a special day. ​

• Bamboo paper
• Beeswax wraps (for foodie goodies)
• Brown kraft paper (recyclable)
• Large linen napkins
• Old magazines
• Old wrapping paper (if you're a pro at opening gifts without causing too much damage, give the paper a second life)

• Old maps
• ​Old newspapers
• Paper with soy-based inks
• Plantable wrapping paper
• Recyclable paper
• Recycled paper
• Reusable fabric gift wraps

Handy Hint:
The easiest way to tailor your wrapping to the event or holiday season, is to take a look at the overall theme. Kraft paper, old newspapers or plantable paper, for example, would pair well with a rustic event. On the flip side, a bright Christmas party might be better suited to colourful fabric wraps. It's fun to play around with different options at different celebrations!

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ECO-FRIENDLY PACKAGING IDEAS
Reusable bags and eco-paper are beautiful ways to package gifts. But what if you're after something a little more 'out of the box'? From upcycled items to practical solutions; find our favourite sustainable yet creative ways to 'wrap' your gifts below:


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Beeswax Wraps
Perfect for holding foodie delights, beeswax wraps are fun, colourful and incredibly useful. And once the gift has been opened, these wonderful wraps can be used daily in the kitchen to keep food fresh!



​Glass Jars, Containers and/or Tins
An affordable option that also looks wonderful! Keep mason jars, containers or tins from any cooking shenanigans, and ask friends or family to do the same. These can then be repurposed as gift packaging (particularly useful for food gifts, such as cookies, chocolates, lollies, or hot chocolates in a jar). Once the recipient has used their gift, the jars or containers can be used around their home for storage, or repurposed and gifted to a friend of their own.



Items the Recipient Wants or Needs
Is your friend in need of an item for their home? Is there something they REALLY want but haven't had the time to purchase yet? Does one of your gifts have storage space? If possible, why not use this item as 'gift wrapping'? For example, plant pots, picnic baskets, baskets in general, fruit bowls, cooking bowls, saucepans and even vases can be used as 'packaging'. Practical AND exciting! 

Related: Bachelorette Gift Basket Ideas

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Decorating Your Gifts

Presentation is everything! So take yours up a notch by incorporating beautiful, low-waste embellishments. Whether it be a gift topper, a personalised note, or a special touch to add that 'WOW' factor - these eco-friendly options will make all the difference:
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• ​Cinnamon sticks
• Ditch the plastic ribbons in favor of cloth ribbons, natural twine or jute
• Dried flowers or herbs
• Eco-confetti
• Edible embellishments (such as mini bags of nuts, dried fruits or chocolates)​
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• Handwritten notes
• Leaves
• Personalised gift tags (using upcycled, recyclable or seeded paper)
• Pine cones
• Seashells

Related to These Eco Gift Wrap Ideas:

​ECO PARTY FAVOR IDEAS:

With this inspiration you’ll have no problem delighting guests with eco gifts that are not only unique and unexpected, but also zero waste and/or reusable. Meaning they’ll benefit the environment as well as party goers in their everyday lives!

Click here to read the article now.

​ECO-PARTY DECORATIONS:

Are you planning an event and after eco party decorations as an alternative to the regular single-use supplies? This article will help you host a visually appealing celebration (stylish, colourful and fun), with less waste!

Click here to read the article now.

​Wrapping Gifts, the Eco-Friendly Way!

​Gift-giving occasions used to revolve around traditional wrapping paper. But not anymore! Low and zero-waste packaging is quite easy to achieve once you've got some ideas up your sleeve. So we hope these tips and tricks have given you the inspiration you were looking for.

As always, we love hearing about your real life adventures, and we would absolutely LOVE to hear all about the unique gift packaging ideas you've used. So please feel free to share this (and any other eco-gift inspiration) with our wonderful community via the comments section below or social media.

Have THE most amazing time at your special occasion - with THE most beautifully wrapped gifts in town!

Much love, keep smiling - Bec x
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P.S. The image below is perfect for Pinterest... Go on and share these fabulous eco friendly gift wrapping ideas - you know you want to! :)