Wrapping paper season is coming and most of it ends up in the trash by New Year’s Day. That shiny foil things can’t even be recycled, which feels like such a waste!
Not a great look for a holiday that’s supposed to be about giving, am I right?
The good news is that sustainable wrapping doesn’t mean boring wrapping. Some of the prettiest gifts under any tree are the ones done with kraft paper, fabric scraps or things pulled straight from the recycling bin. Who doesn’t love that?
This list came together after scrolling through way too many pins at midnight, lol! Only the ideas that were actually doable made the cut.
No fancy tools required, no craft degree needed!
Every single one of these uses things you probably already have lying around the house. Old scarves, spare twine, even that stack of newspapers by the door all get a second life here.
Below you’ll find 30 ways to wrap gifts this year without a single scrap heading to the landfill. Grab whatever’s within reach and let’s get wrapping!
SUSTAINABLE CHRISTMAS WRAPPING IDEAS
Brown Kraft Paper And Twine
Kraft paper is the backbone of pretty much every mood board out there. For good reason!
It’s cheap, it’s recyclable and it makes literally anything look intentional.
Wrap the gift plain then tie it with plain cotton twine. That contrast between the matte brown and the rough string is what sells the whole look.
A simple sprig tucked under the knot takes it even further.
- The zero-fuss favorite
- Rolls last all season
- Costs pennies per gift
Fabric Furoshiki Wrapping Method
Furoshiki is the Japanese art of wrapping gifts in fabric instead of paper. No tape needed, just a few folds and a knot.
This one takes a little practice, but once it clicks you’ll never buy a paper roll again! The fabric becomes part of the gift too, which is a nice bonus.
Even a plain pillowcase works in a pinch.
- No tape, no waste
- Works with any square scarf
- Reusable year after year
Newspaper Wrapped Christmas Gifts
Old newspaper wrapped around a gift looks surprisingly chic, especially with a comic strip or crossword page facing out. It’s basically free too!
Grab the Sunday edition before it hits the recycling bin. Somebody at the office always has a stack sitting around.
The comics section is always the first to disappear.
- Free and already in the house
- Comics page adds personality
- Ties well with plain string
Reusable Cloth Gift Bags
Cloth gift bags get used again and again, which honestly makes them the smartest wrap on this whole list. Toss the gift in, cinch the drawstring and done!
They travel well too, so no torn corners on the drive to grandma’s. Not that anyone’s complaining about that, haha!
A drawstring bag survives way more car rides than paper ever could.
- The one that comes back next year
- Drawstring closes in seconds
- No scissors required
Dried Orange Slices Decoration
Dried orange slices tucked under a ribbon smell like Christmas before the box is even opened. How cute is this?
They’re cheap, they’re pretty and they compost right along with the wrapping.
Slice the oranges thin then bake them low and slow until they curl slightly. That little curl is what makes them look handmade instead of store bought.
- Smells like the holidays
- Bakes low overnight
- Keeps for weeks on the shelf
Pinecones Tied On Presents
Pinecones tied onto a package with a bit of twine turn a plain box into something that looks pulled from a winter cabin. Not in my book do gifts get more festive than this!
Grab a handful from the yard on your next walk. They dry out fine sitting in a bowl for a week. Just check for tiny bugs first, lol!
- Straight from the backyard
- Free from the yard
- No glue or paint needed
Old Maps As Wrapping Paper
Old maps make surprisingly elegant wrap, especially for the traveler in your life. Have you ever seen anything more fitting for a wanderer?
The faded colors and tiny street names give every gift its own story.
Scrap Fabric Ribbon Alternative
Skip the plastic ribbon and cut strips from scrap fabric instead. Denim, flannel or an old bedsheet all work fine here.
Fraying the edges a bit actually helps; it gives the ribbon that cozy homemade texture. This one’s a great excuse to finally use up that fabric bin!
- Uses up the scrap bin
- Cut with regular scissors
- Frayed edge looks intentional
Sheet Music Gift Wrap
Sheet music as wrapping paper is a fun surprise for anyone who plays an instrument. It molds easily around odd shaped gifts too.
Thrift stores sell old hymnals and songbooks for next to nothing. Somehow this ends up being everyone’s favorite gift on the tree, lol!
- For the music lover on your list
- Thrift store find
- Wraps oddly shaped gifts well
Painted Brown Paper Bags
Plain brown paper bags get a serious glow up with a little acrylic paint. Snowflakes, stripes or even just a few dots make each one look custom.
This is a great one for the neighborhood kids to help with, honestly! Let them go wild with the paintbrush.
The messier ones somehow turn out the cutest.
- Kid-friendly craft night pick
- Dries in an hour
- Any leftover paint works
Recycled Cardboard Box Wrapping
That pile of shipping boxes in the garage doesn’t have to go straight to recycling. Flatten and reshape the cardboard into a fresh gift box instead.
It sounds fussy but it really isn’t! A ruler, a box cutter and twenty minutes is all it takes.
- From shipping box to gift box
- Reuses Amazon boxes
- Twenty minutes start to finish
Burlap Sack Gift Wrapping
Burlap sacks give gifts this rustic, farmhouse kind of charm that store paper just can’t match. Slide the gift in, cinch with twine and you’re done!
They hold their shape well too, so bulky or oddly shaped gifts actually look tidy for once. Even a apple cider bottle fits without looking sloppy.
- Farmhouse charm, zero effort
- Holds bulky shapes well
- Sacks reuse every season
Vintage Scarves As Wrap
Vintage scarves make such pretty wrap, especially the silky patterned ones you find at estate sales. Wrap it like furoshiki or just drape and knot it loosely.
This is one of those ideas that doubles as the actual gift. Two presents in one, which feels like cheating in the best way, lol!
- Two gifts in one wrap
- Estate sale find
- Doubles as a keepsake
Wrapping With Old Sweaters
Old sweaters that don’t fit anymore or have a little hole make surprisingly cozy wrap. Cut, wrap and tie off with a bit of yarn from the same sweater.
It looks a little like a knit gift bag when you’re done. Nobody guesses it used to be somebody’s ugly Christmas sweater, haha!
- The sweater that earns its keep
- Uses yarn from the sweater
- No sewing needed
Beeswax Wrap For Gifts
Beeswax wrap isn’t just for sandwiches anymore. Warmed slightly in your hands, it molds around small gifts.
It seals itself shut with no tape at all!
This one works best for smaller items like jewelry or a candle. It’s reusable for years, which makes the small upfront cost totally worth it.
Who doesn’t love a gift wrap that outlives the gift?
- Molds and seals with no tape
- Reusable for years
- Best for smaller gifts
Potato Stamped Kraft Paper
Potato stamps turn plain kraft paper into something that looks hand-printed by a fancy studio. Carve a simple star or tree shape into a halved potato and go to town!
This is such a satisfying rainy afternoon project. The pattern never comes out perfectly even, which is honestly the whole charm of it.
- The rainy afternoon project
- Carve with a butter cutter
- Pattern is never perfectly even
Cinnamon Stick Bundles Decor
Cinnamon sticks bundled with twine and tucked under a bow smell incredible and cost almost nothing. Three or four sticks tied together is really all it takes.
The scent alone makes this one worth trying, lol!
- Smells better than any candle
- A few dollars for a bundle
- No glue required
Eucalyptus Sprigs On Presents
A few sprigs of eucalyptus slipped under the ribbon instantly makes any gift look like it came from a florist. The smell alone is worth adding this one to your list!
Fresh sprigs hold up for about a week without water, so wrap gifts close to the big day if you can.
- The florist shop upgrade
- Holds a week without water
- Smells amazing right away
Jute Twine Bow Ideas
Jute twine ties into the coziest little bows and costs practically nothing at the craft aisle. Wrap it around a couple times before tying for a fuller looking bow.
This is the easiest upgrade on the whole list! Not that a plain bow is a crime, but this one just looks nicer for zero extra effort.
- The bow that upgrades everything
- Craft aisle staple
- Wrap twice for a fuller bow
Brown Paper Grocery Bags
Plain brown grocery bags are basically free kraft paper hiding in the pantry. They flatten out nicely once the seams are cut open.
The wrinkles just add character honestly. Free wrapping paper that was already sitting in your kitchen the whole time, lol!
- Hiding in the pantry already
- Iron flat before using
- Costs literally nothing
Wrapping Cloth Napkins Reuse
Cloth napkins make lovely little wraps for smaller gifts like mugs, jars or a bottle of something nice. Fold corner to corner then knot at the top.
They pull double duty as a hostess gift too, since the napkin stays with the giftee long after the wrapping is gone. A patterned linen one feels extra special.
- A wrap that’s also the gift
- Great for jars and mugs
Old Calendar Pages Wrap
Old calendar pages, especially the ones with big scenic photos, make surprisingly great wrap. December of last year finally earns its keep, lol!
- Last year’s calendar, finally useful
- Free once the year ends
- Big photo pages wrap large gifts
Seed Paper Gift Tags
Seed paper tags turn a tiny detail into something that outlasts the holiday. The recipient can plant the whole tag once spring rolls around.
Pencil works better than ink here since it will not bother the seeds. This one’s a favorite for anyone who gardens!
- A tag that grows into flowers
- Plantable after the holidays
- Pencil ink keeps seeds safe
Wrapping With Bandanas
Bandanas wrap gifts fast and look great doing it, especially for anyone with a rustic or western style home. Knot the four corners at the top for an easy bundle look.
Who wouldn’t want a gift that doubles as a picnic accessory?
- Knots in under a minute
Christmas Cards As Gift Tags
Last year’s Christmas cards make perfect gift tags this year. Cut out the prettiest part of the design and punch a hole for the ribbon.
This is such an easy way to keep paper out of the trash twice over! Save a shoebox of cards each January and you’re set for next season.
- Save a shoebox each January
- Punch and tie in seconds
Wooden Ornament Gift Toppers
A small wooden ornament tucked under the bow doubles as both decoration and a bonus gift. The tree ends up decorated by New Year’s without anyone spending extra. Two birds, one bow, haha!
- Two presents tied in one bow
- Doubles as tree decor
- Costs a dollar or two each
Wrapping With Tea Towels
Tea towels wrap gifts beautifully and the recipient gets a useful kitchen item once the wrapping comes off. Waffle weave ones hold their shape especially well.
Fold like a simple furoshiki bundle or just roll and tie. Either way it looks intentional, not thrown together.
- Waffle weave holds shape best
Stenciled Kraft Paper Designs
Stencils turn plain kraft paper into something that looks custom printed. Snowflakes, holly leaves or even simple dots all work well here.
A cheap foam stencil from the craft aisle lasts for years of wrapping seasons. Worth every penny if you ask me!
- Custom print, dollar store stencil
- Foam stencils last for years
- Dries fast between coats
Rosemary Sprig Wrapping Accent
A sprig of rosemary tucked into the ribbon smells woodsy and looks like it came straight from a farmhouse kitchen. It pairs beautifully with plain kraft paper too.
Have you ever wrapped a gift that smells this good?
- The herb garden touch
- Snip straight from the garden
Fabric Scrap Patchwork Wrap
Last but definitely not least, we have fabric scrap patchwork wrap. Stitch together whatever squares are left in the scrap bin for a wrap that looks like a mini quilt.
This one takes the most effort on this whole list, but it’s also the one people keep! Consider it the grand finale of using up every last scrap in the house.
- The scrap bin grand finale
- Uses every leftover square
- Keeps as a mini quilt
Just a little note - some of the links on here may be affiliate links, which means I might earn a small commission if you decide to shop through them (at no extra cost to you!). I only post content which I'm truly enthusiastic about and would suggest to others.
And as you know, I seriously love seeing your takes on the looks and ideas on here - that means the world to me! If you recreate something, please share it here in the comments or feel free to send me a pic. I'm always excited to meet y'all! ✨🤍
Xoxo Sophie