4 Ways I’m Making My Presents Look So Stunning (Without Wrapping Paper!)
I love the idea of sustainable gift wrap, but I also really like to make my presents look great. Every year, I make crocheted bags and gift toppers, but those take a while. And I’m always in a pinch as the holidays creep closer, which is when I used to reach for a fresh roll of wrapping paper. But once I realized I could use fabric in almost the exact same way, I happily never looked back.
Fabric has become my new go-to for sustainable and easy-to-use gift wrap. Here’s how I wrap my presents with fabric — and why I’ll keep using it year after year.
Alternatives to Wrapping Paper
As much as I love the idea of giving a gift in a reusable tote bag or opting for more eco-friendly tape, there aren’t a lot of sustainable wrapping ideas that actually provide that wrapping paper look I’m after. So, when I saw on Pinterest that you can use fabric instead of wrapping paper, my crafty heart skipped a beat.
Fabric’s versatility alone gives it an edge over wrapping paper, because there are plenty of ways to use it to make gifts stand out this holiday season. Using fabric also adds a homemade touch, making each time I give a present just a little more special. Plus, the recipient can reuse the fabric as well!
It helps that so many seasonal fabrics provide a similar nostalgic holiday wrapping paper aesthetic that looks just as festive as the real thing. I love these green plaid and candy cane stripe fabrics for a more classic look, and this Santa with cookies and milk fabric is a great option for something more playful. You can also find fabric gift wrap that comes with a gift tag.
Another good reason to use fabric is that you can easily reuse the gift wrap and the scraps. Save your cut fabric — and boxes — to rewrap gifts year after year, or use the fabric for smaller sewing projects such as holiday place mats, pot holders, and trivets.
How to Wrap Presents with Fabric the Classic Way
My goal this year is to create a more polished wrapping paper style and tie up each present with ribbon for a more traditional look. Here’s how I do it.
1. Measure and cut the fabric.
This is similar to measuring and cutting wrapping paper. Simply place your item on your fabric and fold one edge over so that it reaches about halfway across the top of the present. Next, take the other side of the fabric and do the same so that the ends are flush, meeting in the middle. Then, take one end, marking where it met the other end, add one inch beyond that mark, and cut the fabric.
After you have the vertical sides cut, measure the horizontal sides by adding at least two to three inches (or more if your present is tall), so that you have enough coverage when folding in the sides in that classic present way.
2. Use fabric tape to secure your wrap.
Once the fabric is cut to the correct size, you can use classic clear tape, but it may come undone easily (especially if you’re not tying it with a ribbon). To be safe, use fabric tape to secure the fabric to your present.
If you choose fabric tape such as Scotch Removable Fabric Tape or Hollywood Fashion Secrets Double Stick Fashion Tape, place the tape on the bottom side of the fabric instead of over the top. Fabric tape tends to be double-sided, so placing it on the underside of the fabric will prevent any stickiness on the outside. You can also add a small dot of hot glue to the horizontal sides to add some reinforcement (though a ribbon also works well).
3. Tie everything together with a bow.
When the fabric is secured in place with tape, measure and cut a piece of ribbon long enough to wrap horizontally and vertically around the present. Then, place it vertically over the middle of the present and wrap the tails down the horizontal sides until they cross in the middle under the package. Pull the ribbon up from the vertical sides and tie the tails into a bow on top.
For a longer bow, like mine, make sure you cut a long enough ribbon at the start.
3 More Fabric Gift-Wrapping Styles
You can get pretty creative when wrapping your gifts in fabric. One of the most common ways to use fabric as gift wrap is to place your present in the center of a fabric square, then gather up the ends into a knot and secure with ribbon or string in the center.
You could also gather extra fabric on the horizontal ends of the present and tie them with ribbon to create a Christmas cracker type of look.
If you sew, make a quick and easy gift bag. To do this, fold the fabric in half with the printed side facing itself, sew up the sides, then flip it printed side out. Next, place your item in the bag and use a ribbon to secure the top closed.
Further Reading
We Tested (and Rated!) Every Sofa at West Elm — Here Are the Best for Every Type of Need
We Asked 8 Pro Travelers What They Never Pack in Their Carry-On, and Here’s What They Said
