Every year a huge amount of wrapping ends up in the bin within minutes of a present being opened. The good news is that eco-friendly wrapping can be every bit as beautiful — often more so. Here are our favourite stylish alternatives to plastic and single-use wrap.
Choose paper you can recycle
A quick test before you buy: scrunch the paper in your hand. If it stays scrunched, it is usually paper-based and easier to recycle. If it springs back, it may contain plastic or foil. Glitter, metallic coatings and laminated finishes are the main things to avoid if recycling matters to you. Always check your local council’s guidance, as recycling rules vary across the UK.
Love kraft paper
Plain or printed kraft paper is warm, rustic and incredibly versatile. Dress it up with a simple printed pattern, a sprig of greenery or a watercolour tag, and it looks charming for any occasion — from Christmas to a wedding.
Gift boxes that live on
A sturdy, beautifully patterned box is not really packaging at all — it is a second gift. Long after the present is opened, it can hold letters, jewellery, photos or craft supplies. Choosing a box someone will want to keep is one of the simplest ways to reduce waste.
Try furoshiki
Furoshiki is the Japanese art of wrapping gifts in fabric. A square scarf, tea towel or piece of cotton is folded and knotted around the present, creating a soft, elegant parcel. The fabric becomes part of the gift and can be used again and again.
Swap plastic tape and ribbon
- Use paper tape or a little string instead of plastic sticky tape.
- Choose natural twine, cotton ribbon or jute instead of curling plastic ribbon.
- Fold paper cleverly so that it needs very little tape at all.
- Save ribbons from gifts you receive — they can be reused many times.
Decorate with nature
The prettiest decorations are often free. Tuck in a sprig of rosemary, a few eucalyptus leaves, a pine cone, dried orange slices or a cinnamon stick. They look lovely, smell wonderful and can go straight into the compost afterwards.
Reuse and upcycle
- Old maps, sheet music and newspaper make characterful wrapping.
- Children’s drawings turn into the most heartfelt gift wrap there is.
- Glass jars become containers for homemade treats.
- Last year’s cards can be cut into gift tags.
Let the card do the talking
When the wrapping is simple, the card becomes the star. A beautifully illustrated card tied onto a kraft parcel with twine looks thoughtful, elegant and complete — and the card itself is something people tend to keep rather than throw away.
Small changes, big difference
You don’t need to change everything at once. Start with one swap — paper tape instead of plastic, or twine instead of ribbon — and build from there. Sustainable wrapping is not about perfection, but about choosing a little more carefully each time.
Explore our wrapping papers and gift boxes, and ask us about the materials of any item you are interested in.
