Gift Wrapping Ideas for a Green Christmas
Ranked #3,050 in Healthy Living, #59,946 overall | Donates to Squidoo Charity Fund, Donors Choose
Reusable Gift Wrap Ideas for Eco Friendly Christmas Presents
One way of going greener this year for Christmas is to wrap presents and gifts with bags, towels, scarves and other items can be used long after the gift has been opened. Using resuable items for gift wrap is good for the environment and is another way to give a second gift with your holiday present.
Whether you have a few hours, a few minutes, or a few seconds, this lens will help you find ways to easily wrap Holiday gifts using items that can be reused after the Holidays are over.
In this lens you will find ideas to make your own reusable gift bags, great resources for reusable bags and ideas for wrapping gifts in reusable items. Wrap gifts in reusable bags, sacs, cloths and other reusable items.
Wrapping a Gift in something that can be reused again is like giving two gifts for the price of one. Who knows long term, the Reusable Bag you wrap you present in, might get more use that the gift itself.
Image: Red Bag available on Amazon.
Whether you have a few hours, a few minutes, or a few seconds, this lens will help you find ways to easily wrap Holiday gifts using items that can be reused after the Holidays are over.
In this lens you will find ideas to make your own reusable gift bags, great resources for reusable bags and ideas for wrapping gifts in reusable items. Wrap gifts in reusable bags, sacs, cloths and other reusable items.
Wrapping a Gift in something that can be reused again is like giving two gifts for the price of one. Who knows long term, the Reusable Bag you wrap you present in, might get more use that the gift itself.
Image: Red Bag available on Amazon.
Make All of Your Wrappings Green
Pick Your Reusable Gifting Options
Here are some of the options for using reusable items to wrap your gifts based on the amount of time you have to devote to wrapping.
Pick the amount of time you have to wrap a gift, then look at the different options.
Pick the amount of time you have to wrap a gift, then look at the different options.
Why Reusable Gift Bags?
Studies estimate that from Thanksgiving to New Years Day, U.S. household waste increases by more than 25%.Food waste, shopping bags, packaging, wrapping paper, bows and ribbons add an additional 1 million tons per week to our nation's land fills, and many forms of wrapping paper can not be recycled.
This year, instead of wrapping presents in paper that will be quickly discarded and cannot be recycled, why not give two gifts in one and wrap presents in a stylish, durable, versatile reusable bag?
Source: Market Watch. November 2008. Ditch the Paper This Holiday Season and Give the Reusable Gift-Wrap That Keeps Giving. RuMe Bags.
365 Ways to Live Green in the Amazon Spotlight
You've picked out the perfect gift. Now what?
Consider a reusable bag or box to wrap the present. Use scarves to secure a gift.
Consider a reusable bag or box to wrap the present. Use scarves to secure a gift.
365 Ways to Live Green: Your Everyday Guide to Saving the Environment
Amazon Price: $0.01 (as of 02/15/2012)
365 Ways to Live Green will educate, inspire, and motivate you to do your part.
With 365 Ways to Live Green, you will learn what it really means to Go Green.
Gift wrapping from the holidays adds an additional one million tons per week to US landfills from Thanksgiving to New Years Day.
Reusable Gift and Shopping Bags on Flickr
Images from deb roby, marshillonline, Neeta Lind, tyger_lyllie, lululemon and Michael Francis McCarthy used under Creative Commons License.
curated content from Flickr
Reader Feedback on Reusable Gift Bags
This holiday season I am resolving to wrap all of my gifts in reusable gift bags, or reuse items to wrap the gifts.
What do you think about wrapping with reusable gift bags?
Fetching blurbs now... please stand byReusable Bags All the Way! Go Green!
KonaGirl says:
Great idea. I have saved and reused wrapping paper, wrapped with brown bags, newspaper, & foil, used homemade paper and fabric; and have done this for years. I am glad the world is catching up in awareness. You can still make thinks beautiful with a little creativity.
Posted December 22, 2011
EagleScoutMom says:
I do it all the time! There is no sense in throwing away a perfectly good gift bag!
Posted December 17, 2011
vallain says:
I save all that I receive and then use them for someone's gift. Of course, I save scraps of wrapping paper too if they are large enough.
Posted October 13, 2011
I love the Wrapping Paper and all the Trimmings.
Got a Hour?
Make a Reusable Gift Bag
In an hour you can make a reusable gift bag...
With a simple pattern, some glue or glue gunning and some stitching, you can make a reusable gift bag from paper, felt or from fabric you have around the house.
Look through the different ideas, watch the videos and be inspired. In less than an hour, you can make a reusable gift bag.
Look through the different ideas, watch the videos and be inspired. In less than an hour, you can make a reusable gift bag.
Eco-Friendly Gift Wrap for Christmas
Shiho works some Christmas magic on this plain brown bag, using a recycled Christmas card and raffia.
curated content from YouTube
Instructions for Making a Gift Bag
More suggestions for making a many different types of gift bag.
- Paper Christmas Tree Gift Bag
- Create your own dimensional gift bag to give a present in this Christmas. Not only is the packaging more beautiful and unique the bag becomes part of the gift. The time and effort you put into making the bag also makes it more special for the recipient.
- Free Step-by-Step Craft Tutorial - Create a Gift Bag
- Free Craft instructions for making Gift Bags from Crafti Ideas.
- Make Your Own Gift Bags
- I love presents. Don't you? And I'm still just childish enough to admit that I prefer receiving presents to giving them. Not that I don't like to give presents-
- Star Gift Bag
- A sparkling, shimmering, starry wine gift bag pattern, perfect for the Holidays.
- DSB (Drawstring Bag) 101: Simple Drawstring Bag
- This is the simplest drawstring bag I could think of. It is made with just one fabric. I used ribbon for the drawstrings, but you could use anything from happythings.
- Project #6, Needlework or Jewelry BagMy
- A clever reusable gift bag from Debbie Maddy from Calico Carriage Designs and the Cotton Spice Blog.
- Sew Much Fun - Drawstring Gift Bags
- Gray Matters takes a yard of Michael Miller fabric and makes gift bags for the holidays.
- Vintage Button Gift Bag - Associated Content
- This vintage button gift bag is a fun way to share your vintage button collection as well as create a unique and one of a kind reusable gift bag. This vintage button gift bag is so durable you could even use it as a funky and whimsical overnight bag.
- Embellish Your Sewing Project With a Vintage Monogram
- A monogram gives a vintage look to your hand-sewn projects. Painting a monogram is an easy way to decorate your finished work, and it only takes a couple of minutes.
- Sew Reusable Fabric Shopping Bags: Free Morsbag Sewing Pattern for "Green" Cloth Grocery Tote Bags
- Sewing reusable shopping bags from recycled fabric helps reduce the number of plastic bags used. The Morsbag initiative offers a free sewing pattern to get people started
- Making Fabric Gift Bags: Sew personalized containers for those special gifts
- Fabric gift bags are an easy sewing project for beginners.
- Santa Inspired Bottle Gift Bag
- A quick festive holiday gift bag for a bottle from Skip to My Lou.
- Christmas Traditions: Fabric Gift Bags
- A Christmas Tradition from House of Hodgepodge using Fabric Gift Bags.
- How to make fabric gift bags
- A simple project with instructions for making fabric gift bags from Gaiam Blog.
Make a Felt Gift Bag
Video instructions for making a quick and easy felt gift bag from Mommywood.com.
powered by Youtube
Make a Reusable Gift Bag from a Reusable Grocery Bags
Eco-Friendly Families in the Amazon Spotlight
The next time your child has a birthday party present to wrap, wrap it up in a reusable bag.
Most craft stores sell canvas bags that can be decorated with the recipient's name using fabric paint or markers. Place the gift inside, attach a bow and give a gift to the birthday child and the earth.
Most craft stores sell canvas bags that can be decorated with the recipient's name using fabric paint or markers. Place the gift inside, attach a bow and give a gift to the birthday child and the earth.
Eco-Friendly Families
Amazon Price: $0.01 (as of 02/15/2012)
Eco-Friendly Families is the perfect guide to raising a family with "green" values, whether they're celebrating their first Earth Day or are old hands at recycling, eating organic, and carrying a cloth bag to the supermarket.
More Eco-Friendly Gift Wrapping Ideas
Got a Few Hours?
Make a Reusable Shopping Bag
With a few hours you can make your own shopping bags...
Making your own reusable shopping bags may take a few hours, depending on what method you decide to use.
Sewing a bag may take an hour. Knitting or crocheting a bag may take a couple of hours.
Look over the patterns and start making your own bags. You can even size the shopping bag patterns down to make gift bags.
Sewing a bag may take an hour. Knitting or crocheting a bag may take a couple of hours.
Look over the patterns and start making your own bags. You can even size the shopping bag patterns down to make gift bags.
Green Bag Lady Patterns
- Green Bag Lady
- The Green Bag Lady is an artist/college professor who makes bags. She has provide patterns and directions to people as the incentive to use a cloth bag instead of paper or plastic.
- Green Bag Lady Pattern
- Pattern to make your own Green Bag Lady Bags from the Green pattern lady bag and Scribd.
- Green Bag Lady Produce Bag Pattern
- Pattern to make your own Green Bag Lady Produce Bags from the Green pattern lady bag and Scribd.
How to Fuse Plastic Bags from Etsy
Another fun idea to try. Make fabric from fused plastic bags then use the fabric with one of the Shopping Bag Patterns.
powered by Youtube
Sewing Patterns to Make Your Own Shopping Bags
A collection of patterns for making your own shopping bag.
- Sew Reusable Fabric Shopping Bags
- Sewing reusable shopping bags from recycled fabric helps reduce the number of plastic bags used. A Free Morsbag Sewing Pattern for "Green" Cloth Grocery Tote Bags to get people started.
- How to Sew a Fabric Shopping Bag
- How to sew a fabric shopping bag and reduce your use of plastic shopping bags.
- Make It Easy--Classic Open Tote
- Step-by-step illustrated instructions for making a basic tote bag.
- How To: Make Fabric Shopping Bags
- Make your own fabric shopping bags with these easy instructions from Kristina J. Millar when you read more from CasaSugar.
- Singlet Style Shopping Bag
- Singlet Style Shopping Bag (like the plastic shopping bag) from Craftster.org.
With a few hours you can crochet or knit your own shopping bags...
Crocheting or Knitting a shopping bag may take a bit longer a couple of hours depending on your speed and experience level.
Grab the crochet hook or knitting needles, some favorite cotton yarn and a pattern and get working.
You may finish up a bag that will be much appreciated in an evening or two.
Grab the crochet hook or knitting needles, some favorite cotton yarn and a pattern and get working.
You may finish up a bag that will be much appreciated in an evening or two.
Crochet a Reusable Christmas Shopping Bags
Patterns to Make Your Own Crochet or Knit Shopping Bag
- Crochet shopping bag
- Crochet an environmentally-friendly shopping bag from Women's Weekly.
- For Earth Day...Produce Bag Pattern
- A crochet pattern for produce bags from Cluttering My Couch Blog.
- Crochet Net Bag
- A crochet shopping bag using ticker tape yarn from Moda Dea.
- No more plastic bag, thank you!
- A knit pattern for a reusable shopping bag from the 2nd floor blog.
- Elisa Nest Tote
- This pretty knit tote bag was designed by Elisa, an Italian knitter and blogger, shared on the purl bee.
- The string bag pattern
- A contribution to the revolt against the plastic sack. Knit String bag inspired by this one from the My Best Friend's a Dork blog.
How to make yarn from plastic bags
This video is a fun demonstration on how to make yarn from plastic bags; it is a great way to reuse any plastic bags.
powered by Youtube
More about Crocheting a Recycled Bag
The Everlasting Bagstopper
Image Source: Heather Kennedy. Everlasting Bagstopper. Creative Commons License.
Make Your Own Everlasting Bagstopper
Download the pattern for the Everlasting Bagstopper from Knitty.
- Everlasting bagstopper
- Plastic bags are helping bury our earth in trash. This bag was designed so people would not forget to bring their stash of reusable bags. It's made of 100% hemp, so it won't mildew. From Knitty: Summer 2007.
Got Several Minutes?
Wrap with a Reusable Gift Bag or Reusable Shopping Bag
In a couple of minutes you can wrap a gift in a reusable shopping bag...
Using some simple wrapping techniques demonstrated in the video from the Baggu company, you can turn a reusable shopping bag into a great way to wrap a gift.By wrapping with your favorite reusable shopping bag, the gift wrapping becomes a gift item itself.
More Ideas for Gift Wrapping with Baggu
Find out more from Baggu on How to Wrap on their website.
How to Gift Wrap with a Baggu Bag
A great video from the Baggu company showing how easily you can wrap a present with a Baggu bag.
powered by Youtube
Baggu Bags on Flickr
Images by andrewarchy and Banalities used under Creative Commons license.
curated content from Flickr
Baggu Reusable Shopping Bags
Chico Bags
Chico bags can also be used to wrap gifts.
Got a Couple Minutes?
Wrap with a Scarf, Towel or Fabric
In a couple of minutes you can wrap a gift in a scarf, dish towel or fabric...
You can make quick and easy gift bags from scarves, towels or fabric you have around the house. It just takes learning a few tips about Furoshiki an eco-friendly way of wrapping gifts.Furoshiki is a Japanese gift-giving tradition, wrapping a gift in a reusable piece of fabric like a towel or scarf.
See how attractive this Benito lunch is wrapped in a scarf, or the bottle of wine wrapped in a towel in the next section.
Image Source: Clair Ching. Bento in furoshiki. Creative Commons. Some Rights Reserved.
Furoshiki - Reusable Fabric Wrap
Watch the first part of this segment from Freshtopia.net that illustrates three different examples of Furoshiki, a Japanese gift-giving tradition, wrapping a gift in a reusable piece of fabric.
powered by Youtube
Furoshiki on Wikipedia
Furoshiki are a type of traditional Japanese wrapping cloth that were frequently used to transport clothes, gifts, or other goods. Although possibly dating back as far as the Nara period, the name, meaning "bath spread", derives from the Edo period practice of using them to bundle clothes while at the sento (public baths, public furo). Before becoming associated with public baths, furoshiki was known as hirazutsumi, or flat folded bundle.Eventually, the furoshiki's usage extended to serve as a means for merchants to transport their wares or to protect and decorate a gift.
Modern furoshiki can be made of a variety of cloths, including silk, chirimen, cotton, rayon, and nylon.
Furoshiki are often decorated with traditional designs or by shibori. There is no one set size for furoshiki, they can range from hand sized to larger than bed-sheets.
The most common sizes are 45cm (17.7 inch) and 68-72cm (26.7-28.3 inch).
Source: Furoshiki. Wikipedia.
Image Source: Wikimedia. Lowell Silverman. Furoshiki Bottle. Released to Public Domain.
Furoshiki a Reusable Grocery Bag on YouTube
This could easily be turned into a reusable gift bag with the scarf becoming another gift.
powered by Youtube
Gift Wrapping Square Silk Scarves
A colorful collection of scarves, perfect for gift wrapping.
Gift Wrapping Oblong Scarves
Different oblong scarves that can be used to wrap gifts.
Furoshiki Wrapping Shoulder Bag
powered by Youtube
Earth Friendly Gift Wrap.on YouTube
In these video clips, Jennifer Playford shows how you can wrap your gifts with reusable fabric, furoshiki style
curated content from YouTube
Wrapagami: The Art of Fabric Gift Wraps
Wrapagami: The Art of Fabric Gift Wraps
Amazon Price: $10.78 (as of 02/15/2012)
Award-winning designer Jennifer Playford will show you how to use the traditional Japanese fabric wraps known as furoshiki to beautifully wrap gifts of any shape or size i n what she terms Wrapagami.
More about Furoshiki
- Reusable Wraps, Take Two: Furoshiki | Serious Eats
- If the idea of environmentally friendly lunches sounds a lot more appealing than sewing your own sandwich wrap, check out furoshiki, the Japanese "ecofriendly wrapping cloth."
- Furoshiki - Wrap your gifts in the Japanese way » Papercrafty
- Nov 27, 2006 ... The Japanese wrapping cloth known as the furoshiki is said to have been first used in the Muromachi Period(1392-1573), ...
- Environment: Wrap and carry items with a Furoshiki
- Dec 8, 2006 ... The Japanese Ministry of Environment has published a simple illustrated guide to folding and carrying items in a Furoshiki Basically.
- How to Do Furoshiki (Wrap and Carry Things With Square Cloth ...
- wikiHow article about How to Do Furoshiki (Wrap and Carry Things With Square ... Furoshiki can be used to wrap and carry an impressive variety of things ...
- How to use Furoshiki (How to wrap packages like the Japanese)
- How to use Furoshiki (How to wrap packages like the Japanese). gift japan japanese boxes wrap packages wrapping.
- Furoshiki :: techniques
- furoshiki is a traditional japanese wrapping cloth, use it to wrap everything. Furoshiki can be used for gift wrapping, grocey shopping or even as clothing.
- Furoshiki: Wrap Wrap Revolution | Tiny Choices
- Have ya'll heard of furoshiki? I hadn't, until I watched this awesome video (via Lifehacker) showcasing a neat way to turn a piece of square cloth into the.
Gift Wrapping: Creative Ideas from Japan
Gift Wrapping: Creative Ideas from Japan
Amazon Price: $7.99 (as of 02/15/2012)
Sixty-six ideas are shown in beautiful color plates and accompanied by step-by-step instructions that take you from the materials you need to putting on the finishing touches.
These exciting and creative wrappings will add a new dimension to your gift giving.
Kitchen Towels for Gift Wrapping
More Kitchen Towels Available on Amazon
Different colored Floursack Towels that can be used for gift wrapping.
More about Furoshiki on Squidoo
Books on Creative Gift Wrapping on Amazon
Got a Couple Seconds?
Wrap with a Purchased Reusable Gift Bag or Shopping Bag
In a couple of seconds you can wrap a gift with a purchased bag...
Perhaps the simplest and fastest way to gift wrap is to grab a purchased gift bag like the ones from CMYK and put in the gift item. These make great grocery bags later.You can dress up the gift by choosing a decorative gift bag with a pattern like those from Globally Cute, MyGreenSac or choose a bag that gives more by using a Freeset bag to gift wrap.
If you want to embellish your gift a bit more, re-use some tissue paper and add a bow.
Bags available on Amazon.
Reusable Grocery Bags from CYMA
One of my favorite go to bags for quick wrapping.
Wrap Gifts in Bags that Make a Difference
My Mom keeps taking my FreeSet bags to use for gift wrapping.
Reusable Gift Bags from CYMA on Amazon
ECOBAGS® Natural String Tote Bag
ECOBAGS® Natural Cotton String Market Bag
Amazon Price: $5.50 (as of 02/15/2012)
Reusable European Style String Market Tote. Fits in your purse, and expands to hold as much as you can carry.
This ECOBAGS Brand Classic String Bag is certified organic cotton as well as Fair Wage, Fair Trade.
Reusable Shopping Bags from Globally Cute on Amazon
The bags are works of art in themselves.
Reusable Gift Bags on eBay
More Reusable Wrapping Ideas
- The Snack Sack - Reusable Wrapping Paper
- I just want to say that for this last Christmas all of our gifts were wrapped in reusable wrapping and they were beautiful--not to mention that cleanup was ...
- ReWrapables - Reusable wrapping paper and gift bags for Christmas ...
- Reusable wrapping paper and gift bags for Christmas gifts, birthday presents and other special occassions.
- reusable wrapping cloth part one on Flickr - Photo Sharing!
- perfect for wrapping all your gifts! made of repurposed vintage fabrics and soft flannel, your wrapping cloth can house teeny tiny goodies, and items as big ...
- GREEN HOLIDAY GIFTS: Recycled & Reusable Gift Wrap at Low Impact ...
- GREEN HOLIDAY GIFTS: Recycled & Reusable Gift Wrap at Low Impact Living. ... Reuse-a-Wrap is a reusable, eco-friendly, fabric gift wrap in a unique, ...
- It's a Wrap! : Eco Child's Play
- Reusable Wrapping I feel a little redundant writing about gift wrapping so late in the game; but I'm extremely proud of my own efforts and wanted to share! ...
- Reusable Wraps, Take Two: Furoshiki | Serious Eats
- If the idea of environmentally friendly lunches sounds a lot more appealing than sewing your own sandwich wrap, check out furoshiki, the Japanese ...
Wrap Gifts with Recycled Materials
More Featured Lenses on Celebrating Green Holidays
More about Reusable Gift Bags in the News
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byDonate to Donors Choose
DonorsChoose.org is dedicated to addressing the scarcity and inequitable distribution of learning materials and experiences in our public schools.
Part of the 100 Christmas Decorating Ideas
This lens was updated for the 100 Christmas Decorating Ideas
Comments on Reusable Gift Wrapping Options
How do you wrap Christmas gifts in reusable options?
submit
-
Reply
-
MaartjeJepsen Dec 29, 2011 @ 4:55 am | delete
- Great ideas to try for next Xmas!
-
-
Reply
-
MaartjeJepsen Dec 29, 2011 @ 4:55 am | delete
- Great ideas to try for next Xmas!
-
-
Reply
-
KonaGirl
Dec 22, 2011 @ 7:12 pm | delete
- While I have been out spreading holiday cheer I fluttered by here and so glad I did. This is a fabulous lens. You have come up with so many ways to upcycle, recycle and reuse it is really wonderful. *Squid Angel Blessed* and I've added your link to My Squid Angel Wings to be featured in the "Healthy Living » Green Living" neighborhood. Happy Happy Christmas!
-
- Reply
-
Reply
-
gonzalezdenise
Dec 21, 2011 @ 8:48 pm | delete
- You have a fabulous lens.
-
- Load More
About the Author
P.S. This is a RocketMoms Lens
More Christmas Decorating Ideas from the RocketMoms
Benefiting Donors Choose
This lens benefits Donors Choose dedicated to addressing the scarcity and inequitable distribution of learning materials and experiences in our public schools. by Comfortdoc
Comfortdoc
Kirsti A. Dyer MD, MS, FT is a respected physician, an expert in life challenges, loss, grief and bereavement, professional health educator, professor,... more »
- 419 featured lenses
- Winner of 33 trophies!
- Top lens » Loss, Grief and Bereavement
- This lens »
Won purple star
Feeling creative?
Create a Lens!
Explore related pages
- Reusable Sandwich and Snack Bags Reusable Sandwich and Snack Bags
- The Pacific Ocean Garbage Patch The Pacific Ocean Garbage Patch
- How To Do Japanese Gift-Wrapping How To Do Japanese Gift-Wrapping
- Instant Gift Wrap Ideas Instant Gift Wrap Ideas
- Furoshiki Japanese Wrapping Cloth Furoshiki Japanese Wrapping Cloth
- Eco Friendly Gift Wrapping Eco Friendly Gift Wrapping
Learn Wrapagami
Wrapagami: The Art of Fabric Gift Wraps
Amazon Price: $10.78 (as of 02/15/2012)
Other Reusable Lenses
Green Bags
BAGGU Baggu X5 Reusable Shopping Bag,Greens,one size
Amazon Price: (as of 02/15/2012)
Green Baggu bags are a quick and easy way to wrap up Christmas gifts.
