14 Eco-Friendly Gift Wrap Ideas That'll Wow Everyone This Holiday

Recycle, repurpose, and reuse stylishly with gorgeous gift wrap ideas that are also good for the planet.

Here's a dirty little holiday secret: Most of the gift wrap out there isn't eco-friendly—even if it is made of paper. Traditional glossy wrapping paper is finished with polyethylene, polypropylene, and laminates to give it that sheen, which makes it incredibly hard to recycle. (So if you've been putting that all in your paper recycling bin, you've been wishcycling.)

Fortunately, there are tons of eco-friendly gift wrap ideas out there that'll still give you that gorgeous under-the-tree look, while minimizing the impact on the planet. Think recyclable paper, reusable fabric wrapping, vintage finds, or even a gift wrap that's part of the gift itself. We're breaking down everything you need to know about eco-friendly gift wrapping, along with our favorite gift-wrapping options to make this holiday truly green.

Related: How to Wrap a Present

Eco-Friendly Gift Wrap Ideas

Recyclable Gift Wrap

If you love the look of traditional gift wrap, look for rolls that are marked as recyclable. They'll generally be gift wrap that doesn't have glitter or a shiny finish, and will be a bit thicker than standard gift wrap.

Save the paper!

Okay, your four-year-old nephew will probably tear into his gifts, but ask the adults to open gently, so you can fold and save the paper for next year.

Paper Gift Bags

When you get paper gift bags, don't toss them out after a single use! Save them (and any tissue paper inside them) to reuse for the next holiday. If you're shopping for gift bags, choose simple colors and styles so they can be used for any occasion.

Related: 8 DIY Ways to Dress Up a Plain Paper Gift Bag

Recycled Newspaper or Magazines

Save up a few weeks' worth of newspapers to use as gift wrap. You can add a little panache with a cute ribbon and tags.

Don't like the black-and-white aesthetic? Opt for pretty magazine pages—we know just where you can get them. (Real Simple, of course!)

Ribbons and Bows

For large gifts like bikes, sleds, or dollhouses, just tie a ribbon (perhaps with a few jingle bells or a sprig of evergreen) for a festive touch.

Reusable Fabric Bags

Fabric bags have come on the market as an even more durable version of paper gift bags. Invest in a set that you can reuse for every holiday. (Bonus: It takes just a few minutes to wrap gifts this way!)

Furoshiki Fabric Wraps

The Japanese tradition of furoshiki uses beautiful pieces of fabric tied loosely around the gift as an elegant and eco-friendly gift wrap. You can buy special furoshiki wraps, or hit the fabric store for lengths of cotton or linen—whether in pretty patterns or a simple color. Most furoshiki come in 18 inch or 28 inch squares, but you can also cut a larger length of fabric for a bigger gift.

Kraft or Butcher Paper

Kraft or butcher-type paper, which can be bought in large rolls, is easily recyclable and gives your gifts a nice, rustic touch. If you want to jazz it up a little, use markers, crayons, or stamps, or paint to add a little color. (It's a perfect job for kids!)

Vintage Fabric

Head to your local vintage store to look for interesting things to accessorize your gifts or serve as gift wrap. A vintage handkerchief or tablecloth makes a gorgeous eco-friendly gift wrap idea, while old neckties, doilies, or lengths of lace could add extra panache to a plain kraft paper wrap job.

But you don't even have to head to the vintage store. Look around your house for fabric you can use. You can turn sheets that have frayed edges or a stained tablecloth into gift wrap. (Just trim off the stained parts!)

Add-On Gifts

You can choose a gift wrap that's part of the gift. Wrap a kitchen-oriented gift in a pretty tea towel, or use a scarf to wrap up clothes or jewelry. A makeup bag or clutch can hold beauty products, while a tote can hold beach or workout gear.

Boxes

If you do a lot of online shopping, odds are you have a ton of cardboard boxes around the house. Save packaging that you can recycle for gifts—don't be afraid to get crafty or use trim to cover up any logos you don't want to see.

Of course, a wooden box that they can repurpose as storage around their house could be another smart idea.

Jars or Bowls

Don't recycle those glass jars! While food gifts like cookies, cookie mixes, and candy are most often delivered in a jar or bowl, there's no reason you can't present other gifts (think jewelry, beauty products, or candles) in them. Dress the jars or bowls up with ribbon or evergreen sprigs if you think they need a little extra something.

Related: 49 Mason Jar Gifts for Christmas and Holiday Craft Ideas

Sheet Music

Sheet music makes a sweet and eco-friendly gift wrap, whether it's a music-centric present or you're giving something special to a music fan. Choose the music from a favorite artist—they can use the wrap to learn how to play the song if they're a musician.

Maps or Posters

Hit up an old atlas or posters to use as gift wrap—they're likely made of thick enough paper that they can be saved and reused.

Baskets

Gift baskets have been a tried and true way to give themed gifts—whether it's an array of snacks and gourmet food, or a set of beauty finds. But you can use a tiny basket for a small gift, or use a bigger basket to hold several gifts for your recipient. They can reuse the baskets for storage around their house, or for someone else's gift.

Related: 40 Eco-Friendly Gifts You'll Feel Good About Giving

Eco-Friendly Gift Wrap Tips

Obviously, the paper or other covering is only one part of the gift wrap package—so choose accessories that continue with the green theme.

Skip the scotch tape

If you use plastic tape and it stays with the wrap, it'll make it hard to recycle the paper. Instead, opt for paper tapes like pretty washi tape, or fold the paper or fabric around the object, and hold it in place with a ribbon or twine.

Opt for natural ribbons and twine

Those plastic bows and ribbons will end up in the landfill. You may spend a bit more now investing in fabric ribbon like satin or grosgrain, or a roll of twine, but you can save and reuse them year after year.

Use recyclable tags

Sticker tags create a recycling problem, thanks to the adhesive. So stick with paper tags, which you can tie onto the gift with ribbon.

Add natural adornments

Dried flowers, evergreen or holly sprigs, gilded leaves, or a few acorns can make a gorgeous addition to your eco-friendly gift wrap.

Choose a gift to dress up the gift wrap

A holiday ornament, a hair clip or pin, a tiny toy, or a candy cane can add a little bit of whimsy to your gift wrap.

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