How to do good this christmas with eco-friendly gift-wrapping
Hi, with Christmas and festive season upon us, I’m so glad you’re here because, like me, you care about giving gifts that feel good and do good. As someone running a sustainable art and workshop business, I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about how we can make our traditions more planet-friendly—without sacrificing beauty or joy. Gift-wrapping is one of those little things that can have a big impact, and this Christmas, I want to help you wrap your gifts in a way that’s both stunning and sustainable.
Every year, mountains of gift wrap end up in landfills. Glittery paper, sticky tape, and foil accents might look festive, but they’re often not recyclable. Did you know, that the UK uses 227,000 miles of wrapping paper each year! The good news? With a little creativity, we can avoid waste and still make our presents look as magical as ever. Let me share some of my favorite eco-friendly gift-wrapping tips and ideas to inspire your holiday gifting.
Why Wrap Sustainably?
Sustainable wrapping isn’t just about reducing waste (though that’s a huge bonus!). It’s also about adding meaning to the gifts you give. When you take time to wrap thoughtfully, using materials that are kind to the planet, you’re showing care—not just for the recipient but for the world we all share. Plus, sustainable wrapping can be absolutely gorgeous and incredibly fun to create!
My Favorite Eco-Friendly Wrapping Ideas
1. Wrap with fabric
One of my go-to techniques is using fabric instead of paper. Scarves, tea towels, or fabric scraps from old projects make for beautiful, reusable wrapping. Furoshiki, the Japanese art of fabric wrapping, is a personal favorite of mine—it’s simple yet elegant. Bonus: the fabric becomes part of the gift! Quite often now my friends will pass the same fabric between us, as we use the same fabric to wrap a gift, in the same fabric that they wrapped a gift for me in!
2. Repurpose what you have
You’d be amazed at what you can create with items already at home. Old maps, newspaper, or brown paper bags make lovely gift wrap. You can customise them with hand-drawn designs, stamps, or even a splash of watercolour to brighten up the wrapping and give it a personalised feel that only you can add to it.
3. Choose reusable containers
Sometimes the wrapping itself can be part of the gift. I’ve used mason jars, wooden boxes, and vintage tins from charity shops to package gifts. They’re charming, practical, and cut down on waste entirely. Think of how lovely the old quality street tin works as a sewing kit.
4. Using sustainable paper
If you prefer paper wrapping, recycled or FSC-certified options are the best way to go. A good rule of thumb, is that if its shiny, then it is not recyclable. So sadly if there is gold foil, it won’t be recyclable. But there are lots of lovely eco-friendly wrapping paper that are recyclable and often are made with recycled paper as well. I stock some beautiful, eco-conscious papers in my shop—perfect for those who want a more traditional look without the environmental guilt. Pair them with washi tape (fully recyclable!) to keep everything planet-friendly.
5. Natural decorations
Instead of plastic bows, I love using natural decorations. Pinecones, sprigs of rosemary, dried oranges, or cinnamon sticks not only look gorgeous but also smell amazing. Tie them on with biodegradable twine or jute string, and your gift will feel extra special without the need of plastic.
Making a difference this holiday season
By choosing eco-friendly wrapping, you’re not just cutting waste—you’re sending a message. It’s a small but powerful way to show that you care about the environment while celebrating the season. And when your friends and family see your thoughtful, beautifully wrapped gifts, you might just inspire them to embrace greener traditions too.
If you’re short on time or don’t feel crafty, I’ve got you covered. In my shop, I offer sustainable wrapping options alongside my art prints and gifts. Everything is thoughtfully packaged, so you can give something gorgeous and guilt-free.
Let’s do good together
Whether you’re crafting your own eco-friendly wrapping or buying from sustainable businesses, every small choice adds up to a bigger impact and it really can make a difference! In the UK the amount of wrapping paper that people have used, has dropped since 2016, by 320,822, saving by my calculations, approximately 1,684 metric tons of CO₂. which is the equivalent to removing 365 cars from the road for a year! So the small things really do add up.
Here’s to a greener, happier holiday season. Happy wrapping!