We all have our own ways of showing friends and family just how much they mean to us, but this Christmas is the perfect time to double up on caring gestures; not only is putting an eco-spin on your Christmas gift wrapping better for the environment, an extra level of care, attention and detail goes into each gift – and it really shows!

So whether you’re an eco-novice or veteran, or you’re simply looking for ways to add beautiful personal touches to your gifts this Christmas, we’ve put together a handy guide full of thoughtful ways you can add an eco-spin to your annual present wrapping.

Step 1: Conceal!

1. Brown recycled paper

If you aren’t quite ready to give up the satisfaction of opening a paper-wrapped present this Christmas, brown paper is a happy meed-in-the-middle option. It’s also easy to come by and inexpensive – a great way to get started! Keep the paper plain and focus on the decoration for a sophisticated look, or add your own patterns, drawings and stamps for wrapping paper that’s completely unique to you.

TIP! The brown paper you get in some Amazon boxes? You know what to do!

 

2. Newspaper

Before binning your daily, weekly or monthly newspaper, have another flick through and pull out the black and white sheets. Another great compromise if you’re keen on paper wrapping, the print looks really striking against red, white and green accents, which you can add with ribbons, gift tags and natural foraged bits like pinecones and winter sprigs.

DON’T FORGET!
Swap out plastic tape for paper tape.

 

3. Reusable fabric wraps

If you have fabric lying around or would prefer to purchase fabric wraps, this is a smart way to get the whole family involved with your new Christmas eco-wrapping tradition. The receiver of your beautifully fabric-wrapped gift keeps the fabric until next year, which they’ll in turn reuse themselves. Alternatively, there’s no shame in them returning it to you! Neutral cottons and linens are perfect if you’re after that Scandinavian Christmas look (this also makes them good to use for Birthdays), or go full Christmas with festive prints and tartan.

 

4. Drawstring sacks

Take the fabric wrap a step further with reusable drawstring sacks. If you’re feeling crafty this Christmas you can find some great templates to follow online, but there are also lots of options on places like Etsy, too. Personalise the bags with names to create the Stocking 2.0, and get kids on-board by pitching them as special Santa sacks just for them!

 

Step 2: Decorate!

1. Forage

Make the most of the next crisp winter’s day for a forage in your garden or walk in the local park to collect nature’s eco – and free – gift adornments, such as acorns, winter sprigs and foliage, dried leaves, holly and hardy winter berries.

 

2. From the cupboard

You’ll be surprised at what you already have in your kitchen cupboards that are perfect for decorating gifts with. Cinnamon sticks, dried orange and apple pieces and tough herbs and spices such as rosemary, sage and star anise not only look beautifully rustic, they’ll also provide a divinely Christmassy perfume as the receiver opens the gift.

 

3. Collect

The real trick to acing Christmas eco-wrapping is to keep an eye out throughout the year for anything that could be twined to a future gift: lots of gift sets come with ribbons and bows that you can repurpose, even on things like packs of pyjamas that you normally wouldn’t think twice about throwing in the bin. New shoes? Hold onto the box and tissue paper!

 

4. Get crafty

If rustic neutrals aren’t your thing at Christmas you can be forgiven for feeling that eco-wrapping looks a little bland, but there are loads of ways you can spruce it up and get festive:

• Use wooden stamps and different coloured inks or paints to create prints on plain brown paper or add colour and texture to newspaper wrapping. You can find packs of wooden stamps, Christmas or otherwise, and easy to use ink pads from places like The Range, but you could take it one step further and make your own good old fashioned potato stamps.
• Dye present wraps and sacks quintessential Christmas colours (or red and green tie-dye!), and/or use iron-on Christmas patches or gold lettering to personalise with names.
• From red and white candy cane stripes to full on Christmas prints, pack a loud and proud festive punch with colourful patterned bows, ribbons and twine – and don’t forget to save them for next year!

 

Step 3: Make it a Christmas tradition!

 

1. Devote a box to your eco-wrapping materials and supplies

We don’t blame anyone for not being a huge fan of having to hold onto bits and pieces of ribbon, paper, bows etc for a whole year, so having a box for this that can be stored away will keep everything neat, tidy and under control. This is also really handy to have if you come across useful wrapping bits throughout the year; chuck it in the box and forget about it until December!

 

2. Make durable personalised gift tags to use every year

Making name tags out of durable materials like cotton, felt or wood can be used year after year and will eventually become staple pieces of Christmas nostalgia for your family. Lots of presents for the little ones? No problem! Signpost the pile with a giant tag!

 

3. Get the whole family involved

It’s up to you how far you want to extend the eco-wrapping invitation, but after a couple of Christmases of switching and swapping your new bank of reusable wrapping materials with family and friends, you’ll wonder what you used to use in the first place!

 

What are some of your unique family traditions? We’d love to hear them!

Is that extra box of Christmas eco-wrapping just one too many? Our varied and affordable range of storage containers could be the extra wiggle room you need, so get in touch to see how we can help!