Sustainable wrapping this Christmas
Let’s assume you ‘do’ Christmas. And let’s assume you ‘do’ presents as part of your own seasonal traditions. Here at Trash Chic Towers, we are certain you will have spent much time considering who is gifted what and why for such occasions.
But what about the wrapping – beyond, of course, making this decoration as entrancing as the gift it contains? What if it had a purpose additional to disguising its contents? Yes … we’re talking re-usable, sustainable, pre-loved and perhaps even discarded items that can easily double up as beautiful, eco-conscious gift-wrapping – along with an open mind and a small amount of imagination.
Here’s our Top 5 suggestions.
1 Scarves and squares
Way back in time, Japanese merchants used to transport their goods in cloth akin to a headscarf. Known as furoshiki, these days it is also used to create exquisite gift wrappings. If you don’t believe me, search out some online images. A soft, thinnesh fabric (silk, for example) will literally add a bonus layer of usable luxury. But you can use anything that will work for you.
2 Drawstring bags
Recently, I bought a couple of eco tees and was delighted that the seller packaged them in organic calico drawstring bags. My plan is to replace the rope cord with some red ribbon I have left over from those dreaded mask-making days. A small bag like this, with gift inside, could potentially look great hanging on the branch of a tree. They’re easy enough to run up on a machine or by hand, too – should you have the inclination and some stashed fabric.
3 Wrist and arm warmers
If you’re planning to give these items as gifts, why not make them work a bit harder and use them as ‘wrappings’ too? For example, you could put other soft items (a matching hat; a neck gaiter) into the arm warmers as a sort of ’stuffing’ and tie off both ends with ribbon to produce a completely usable cracker.
4 Socks
Back in the day, us children were always given a new pair of socks stuffed with oranges and nuts. It sounds quaint, but it’s a great way to make what many may consider a dull present into something more appealing.
5 Preloved containers of any kind
Charity shops and stalls often offer a useful selection of tins, boxes and other containers that can be used to house gifts. For example, I just paid £2 for an enormous china cup decorated with Christmas trees and an oversized red handle. What a great container to fill with edibles for the sweet-toothed, or beads and buttons for the creative jewellery maker, or a wooden puzzle, or a game like Five Jacks (remember them?), or (how novel is this?) teabags! Seriously, the container itself can provide inspiration for a gift to pop inside. And how about all those cardboard boxes protecting your online purchases? You could get busy with leftover paint, some pens and the help of others to create bespoke designs on said cardboard to give it at least one more life before you discard it.
If you’re anything like my thrifty mother, she would save all wrapping that came her way and use it again as required! And we’re sure there must be loads more ideas; in fact, we’d love you to share your own eco-friendly gift-wrap suggestions for any occasion.
Meanwhile, let’s sum up some advantages of sustainable ‘wrapping’:
your giftee gets an extra gift
you can feel virtuous for not throwing out bins full of wasted paper
the cost (if any) is generally lower than shop-bought gift wrapping, and you won’t have to do battle with sticky tape or glue.
And the disadvantages? Nope … genuinely can’t think of any.
Search the Trash Chic website for bundles of ‘furoshiki’ scarves, upcycled bags, and curated boxes, which can all be used as sustainable ‘wrapping'. And if you would like to encourage others to ‘make stuff’ in 2024, then check out the adorable needle books crafted by Trash Chic founder Jane herself.
Sandra Stafford is an author, editor and long-time Trash Chic customer.
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