Step away from the tape dispenser and forget about tying the perfect bow. Just keep some of your favorite fabric and scissors on hand.
Check out Furoshiki Japanese Wrapping for eco-friendly gift wrapping — what a cute video. The fabric wrapping of two books or wine bottles looks as lovely as a pas de deux. Thanks to Recycle Now for the tip!
Also on the green wrap scene is Oakland-based, fwrap (pronounced, frap, which is shorthand for “fabric wrap”). Some of these chic fwraps are made with Eco-fi, (above) from recycled PET plastic bottles. Sweet. Find sizing and pricing details on fwraps.com
Related: also on altCon (12.18.10) -
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My cousin is very into being green. I am to an extent but she is much better at it than I am. I had the great idea of wrappin g all her xmas gifts green this year.. figured most out but 2 I bought her a Wii and Wii fit for it.. I want an interesting way to wrap this.. can’t be a blanket.. making her a blanket and I am putting it in a reuse able bag..so don’t want to do another bag either.. Ideas anyone. Was thinking storage bin..but not really liking that idea
Such a great idea — and so cute! I like the idea of the “wrapping” becoming part of the gift. Not only is there less waste, but it adds another level of dimension and creativity to the gift.
Thanks for posting this informative post. Jason ~ tinypocketpeople
I don’t have a website. Your site has wonderful ideas. Do you know where I can find blank recycled gift wrap paper? I want to print my own design on the wrapping paper.
Thanks,
Karen
We agree! Reusable fabric gift wrap is the way of the future. While the Japanese methods are indeed beautiful and creative, honestly, they’re a bit too complex and time consuming for many. Ecorations (www.ecorations.com) has many classy and fun fabric bags for just about any size gift and occasion, but wrapping requires minimal effort! Literally it takes less than 5 seconds for most gifts – you just open the bag, slip the gift in and close! That’s it, you’re done and the result is a beautifully wrapped gift.
Ecorations gift wrap is re-usable and recyclable.
Hi Henry,
Would I ask for the cloth back? I guess that would depend on the cloth. For instance, if the cloth were a silk scarf, and I considered the scarf to be a personal treasure, I’d simply explain this to the recipient as I was handing them the gift…
On the other hand, the cloth could be tied to the theme of the gift, and therefore “a keeper” for the recipient. Let’s say the gift were a kitchen item or cooking book, I might wrap it in dish towels, an apron or a table cloth. And the recipient would naturally keep the whole kit and kaboodle.
And if it’s simply a piece of cloth to be re-used by the recipient as wrap, including instructions (with the Website URL) would be a very cool move.
It’s incumbent upon the gift-er to be clear with the gift-ee about how that cloth wrap should be perceived. That’s my rap on wrap:)
Totally agree, think maybe you’d have to print out the how to wrap instructions so that the recipient could then reuse the bit of cloth. or would you ask for the cloth back?
This christmas I think I am going to fabric wrap/frap all my gifts! They are totally cute and combine my love of sewing with my love of gift giving.
Thanks for this awesome idea, and it saves trees!
Of course, you can make your own cloth wraps from fabric scraps you have around your home. The ways of wrapping are as infinite as they are simple (my 7-year-old granddaughter is a master). There is NO reason to use paper ever again! Also, people should know that wrapping techniques also have been used in Korea for a very long time. A wonderful site to check for beautiful wraps is bobowrap.com
Our book, “Celebrate Green! Creating Eco-Savvy Holidays, Celebrations and Traditions for the Whole Family,” has a whole page of wrapping techniques too.