Eco-Friendly Gift Wrapping Ideas

I absolutely love wrapping gifts! My mom always wraps gifts so beautifully and she taught me all her tips and tricks. For as long as I can remember, our family always saves and reuses gift bags, bows, and even salvageable tissue paper and wrapping paper! No need to waste it if it still will work perfectly fine. Using what you have and saving what you can is always a great way to reduce your waste. But if you’re looking to take your wrapping to the next eco-friendly level, below are some options that I had fun playing around with this year! 

for Wrapping:

• Scarfs

• Produce Bags

• Tote Bag

• Stasher Bags

• Beeswax Wrap

Scarfs

I have to say, using scarfs might be my favorite low waste gift wrap option. I used scarfs that I had and also found some at my local thrift shop! Not only does it look beautful but you’re wrapping a gift, with a gift itself. Double win!

Produce Bags

Reusable produce bags are a great way to reduce plastic waste while grocery shopping and also make a great low waste gift option. Have fun embellishing it with twine, handmade cork ornaments, ornaments, or natural garnishes that I'll talk more about below. 

Tote Bag

A tote bag is another fun way to wrap a gift! I don’t know about you, but I have a lot of reusable tote bags; some that I was given and others that I bought. You can re-gift one you have or pick up one that you think they’ll love as a bonus gift!

Stasher Bags

Since Stasher Bags are transparent, this option works best for items like jewelry that’s in a box and you can’t tell exactly what it is. Add some embellishments from the list below and you have a low waste gift wrap option where they’ll love the wrapping too!

Beeswax Wrap

Beeswax is another great option for wrapping gifts! A lot of beeswax comes with cute patterns on it so you can pick some that you think the recipient would love and enjoy using after they open their gift!

Brown Bag

Have so brow paper bags around? Use them as gift wrap! You can even paint on the bags if you want to add your personalized artistic touch to it.

For Embellishments + Tying:

• Thrifted Scarfs

• Natural Garnishes

• Twine + Cotton String

• Bells or ornaments

• DIY Upcycled Cork Ornaments

• Homemade Paper Gift Tags

Thrifted Scarfs

I found a scarf that I thought my sister would love to wear as a headband! It’s not completely festive colors but I know she’ll love it and that’s all that matters. It makes a cute bow to include on a gift box or even an extra touch to a bag.

Natural Garnishes

See some Christmas tree branches on laying around? Use them as a gift embellishment! You can also use other things like dried lavender, dried roses, eucalyptus, leaves, dried oranges, and cinnamon sticks!

Twine + Cotton String

Natural string options like twine and cotton are great alternatives that add a nice rustic and festive look to a gift. I love this red and white cotton string I found at Target that came with minimal packaging! 

Bells or ornaments

I have a bunch of bell ornaments that I thought would look cute on a gift and I think it adds a nice festive touch! Consider using ornaments you have or make to add as an embellishment to your gifts. 

Cork Ornaments

This DIY Cork Ornament is so easy, low waste, and such a cute ornament to add to a gift and to use as decoration after. Watch this Instagram Reel for a quick tutorial on how to make them!

Homemade Paper Gift Tags

Instead of using sticker gift tags or gifts tags that have plastic packaging, consider making your own! If you’re using wrapping paper, you can cut and write on the extra scraps. You can also paint on paper bags and cut that out or print some out! I designed gift tags that you can download here and print at home with whatever paper you already have!

I hope you enjoyed these low waste gift wrap ideas! Tag me on Instagram @its.courtneymichael if you used any of these ideas - I’d love to see your beautiful wrapping!

Let me know in the comments what your favorite eco-conscious gift wrap idea is!