Wrapping gifts in a surprising and festive way can make it even more fun to give. Christmas wrapping paper comes in all sorts of patterns, colors, and design. But it is also expensive and wasteful if used excessively and then just thrown away. What if you thought of wrapping at least some of your gifts as if you were plating a meal? Just like the right dish makes a meal more appetizing, choosing an alternative to traditional wrapping paper makes your gift stand out. Below are eight alternatives to Christmas wrapping paper that are inexpensive, sustainable, and lots of fun to use.
Fabric
Like wrapping paper, fabrics come in all sorts of finishes, colors, patterns, and sizes. Fabric helps set a vibe for the gift, too. Go luxe with satin or silk, playful with flannel or cotton, or rustic with burlap or muslin. By folding the corners in on the diagonal, a square package can be tied with one knot. Best of all, fabric wrapping can be used over and over again. And if you use a scarf or shawl as wrapping, the fabric becomes part of the gift, too.
Cookie Tins
People typically use these round decorative tins for Christmas cookies. But they make a fun reusable wrap for other gifts as well. Tins come in all sizes and usually are square, round, or rectangular. They can be found at antique stores or resale shops if you don’t want to buy them new. Tissue paper, colored paper grass, fabric, cotton stuffing, or anything soft will hold the gift items secure in the tin, and they can be decorated with bows or other festive toppers.
Drawstring Bags
Drawstring bags make great gift wraps because they come in all different shapes and fabrics. You can even make them yourself if you like to sew. They are also easy to decorate with different toppers such as jingle bells, winterberries, sprigs of rosemary, or festive ribbons. You can also buy them in bulk if you have a lot of gifts to give.
Decorated Gift Boxes
Decorated gift boxes are sturdy boxes with lids that are already printed with Christmas or winter motifs. Just lift the lid, pack the gift, and wrap it with a ribbon. Because they are so well-made, they can be kept and used over and over again.
Take Out Containers
It may sound crazy, but clean, never-used take out containers make great gift wrap. Tall foldable take out cartons with handles, like the ones you get from a Chinese restaurant, as well as rectangular foldable or those with lids are all available at crafting stores and online. They are fun to pack with small gifts or gifts from the kitchen or garden. Plain cartons can be decorated with stamps, prints, markers or paint and topped with ribbons, bows or other trinkets.
Large Envelopes
If you have a relatively flat gift to give, like a book, drawing, or tickets to an event, using a large envelope as wrapping works beautifully. Plain envelopes with clasps or string enclosures can be purchased at office supply sections of most stores and can be easily decorated with stickers, markers, paint or other art supplies. A beautiful gift tag on top completes the wrap!
Butcher or Packing Paper
Butcher or craft paper usually comes in brown or white and is an economical way to wrap a lot of presents. It comes in large rolls that can be purchased at craft stores or online, and while plain, it can be decorated using art supplies or decorated with a variety of toppers, like bells, holly, berries, colorful ribbons, or stick-on bows.
Lunch Bags
Brown or white paper lunch bags make fun wrapping, too, especially for smaller kids’ presents. Because they are plain, each bag can be customized with a child’s favorite color, or stickers of their favorite characters. Try folding them shut and clipping with a decorative clothespin or sealing them with a stick-on bow.
Using different types of wrap when gift-giving can surprise the recipient and add a touch of whimsy to a Christmas gathering. Don’t be afraid to try any sort of container that fits your special gift!
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