Beautiful low-waste gift wrapping (that actually looks better)
Furoshiki, kraft paper, twine and dried flowers. Simple wrapping ideas that make the outside as thoughtful as the inside.
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Gift wrap is the first thing anyone sees of your gift, and usually the first thing thrown away. Much of the shiny, glittery paper sold at Christmas can't be recycled, because of plastic coatings and foil. The good news: the low-waste alternatives tend to look more beautiful, not less.
The scrunch test
Not sure if wrapping paper is recyclable? Scrunch it in your hand. If it stays scrunched, it's probably paper and can usually go in the recycling. If it springs back, it likely contains plastic. Glitter and foil are always out.
Furoshiki: wrapping with fabric
Furoshiki is the traditional Japanese art of wrapping with a square of cloth. It works with any shape, from a book to a bottle of wine, and the wrap becomes part of the gift: a scarf, a tea towel, a beautiful printed cotton square.
The basic wrap:
- Lay the cloth flat, corner pointing towards you, with the gift in the centre.
- Fold the near corner over the gift, then the far corner.
- Bring the two remaining corners up and tie them in a neat double knot on top.
That's it. Search for "furoshiki bottle wrap" for a lovely technique for wine.
Kraft paper and twine
Plain brown kraft paper is cheap, recyclable and endlessly customisable:
- Stamp it with a hand-carved rubber stamp or a potato print.
- Draw on it, especially if kids are involved.
- Tie it with cotton twine, linen ribbon or wool yarn.
- Tuck in a sprig of rosemary, eucalyptus or dried orange slices.
Dried flowers and natural toppers
A small bunch of dried lavender, a pine cone, a cinnamon stick or a slice of dried orange tied under the string looks wonderful and smells even better. To dry orange slices: slice thinly, pat dry, and bake at a low temperature (about 90°C) for 2–3 hours, turning occasionally.
Reusable gift bags
Cotton or linen drawstring bags can be used year after year, and they're perfect for awkward shapes. Many makers sew them from leftover fabric.
Tags that become keepsakes
Instead of a throwaway tag, use:
- a small wooden or ceramic ornament with the recipient's name,
- a pressed-flower card,
- a luggage tag made from leather offcuts.
The note matters most
Whatever the wrapping, a few handwritten lines are the part people keep. Say why you chose this gift. "I saw this and thought of our walk in the mountains" turns an object into a memory.
